Advantages of Infinity Pools: Why They're More Than Just Beautiful
Water spilling over the edge. The light dancing on the reflection. Guests often stop mid‑conversation when they first see an infinity pool—“Wait, is this real?”
Infinity pools aren’t just about luxury. They make you feel like you’re floating at the horizon. Unlike a skimmer or traditional pool, the water laps softly—and constantly—over the edge, pulling in debris before it has time to sink. That steady flow keeps disinfectants and heat working evenly (think 25 m³/hour turnover).
In this article, you’ll find out what sets advantages of infinity pools apart—tactile feel, easy upkeep, property impact—without diving into tech jargon or heavy lists. Instead, expect real details: unexpected costs, pool‑engineering quirks, and why clients light up when the water seems to vanish.
Want to understand how an infinity pool works — hydraulics, balancing tank, precise construction?
→ Explore our complete Infinity Pool Construction Guide
Skimmer or Overflow? Two systems, two visions
There’s no universal answer when choosing a pool system. But understanding the difference between skimmer pools and overflow pools changes everything — not just the filtration, but the way you see and experience the water.
Most private pools rely on skimmers. They’re discreet slots built into the walls, just below the coping. Water is pulled in from the surface, passed through a filter, and returned to the pool. Simple. Effective. But the waterline always sits below the edge. You see the walls, the coping, the structure — it’s contained.
How does an overflow pool work compared to a traditional skimmer system? This side-by-side diagram shows the key differences in water circulation and filtration.
Overflow pools (also known as infinity pools or zero-edge pools) don’t play by the same rules. The water spills gently over one or more edges into a gutter. From there, it flows to a balancing tank, is filtered, and pumped back. No visible edge. No visual boundary. Just water meeting landscape.
There’s a difference you feel, not just see. In an overflow pool, the surface tension is gone. You lean in and the edge disappears. You swim, and it feels like you’re drifting through space.
📌 In France, this system is even mandatory for public pools over 200 m² — not for its looks, but for its performance.
Morana's advice 👇
Some thoughts, based on what we’ve seen on site.
You could ask your architect to include an overflow pool in the design. You could hand it over to the builder. And it might work out just fine. But here’s the thing — when it comes to hydraulic balance, flow rate, edge calibration… there’s not much room for “close enough.”
We’ve seen mirror effects fail for just 1 mm. Builders levelling by hand, hoping it’s “good enough”? It isn’t.
The slightest tilt and the reflection’s gone — the edge breaks, the silence too.
That’s why we recommend this: build the essential structure, get the right filtration installed, and plan for the future — even if you don’t install every feature right away. You can always add an in-floor cleaning system or lighting later. But the pool’s skeleton? That has to be right the first time.
If you’re aiming for precision — and silence, and reflection — better call someone who’s done it before.
You should seek professional assistance with your infinity pool project
Advantages Of An Overflow Pool Compared To A Skimmer Pool.
The difference starts with the line of water. In a skimmer pool, it stops short of the edge. You see coping, tile, borders. It’s framed. In an overflow pool, the surface stretches right to the edge — then vanishes. No frame. Just reflection.
That changes everything. The view expands. The terrace feels larger. The water no longer feels like a container — it becomes part of the space. We’ve seen guests stop mid-step, unsure if there’s glass or nothing at all. And at dusk, when the water catches the last light, it doesn’t ripple. It glows.
But it’s not just about atmosphere. Overflow pools stay cleaner. Constant movement at the surface means leaves, insects, dust — they’re pulled out before they sink. That also means disinfectants spread better, and temperature stays even. You don’t get cold corners or pockets of still water.
They’re quieter too. The surface isn’t agitated by skimmers turning on and off. Just a silent flow, steady, invisible. The filtration hides below — in a balancing tank, tucked under a deck or technical room (learn more) — leaving the surface free of clutter.
We’ve installed overflow systems in sharp-edged architectural gardens, on cliffs, under pine trees. The system works just as well in a tight urban courtyard as on a hillside with a view. It adapts — as long as it’s designed precisely.
You can feel when a pool belongs to the architecture — and when it doesn’t. Overflow pools do something others can’t: they vanish. They erase edges. From certain angles, you don’t see the pool — just sky, horizon, reflection.
Clients don’t always ask for prestige. They ask for calm. For clarity. For silence. But in the end, that’s what this design gives: a pool that doesn’t dominate, but elevates. Visitors pause. The terrace feels larger. The water mirrors back everything around it — not as a feature, but as a frame.
We’ve seen it happen more than once: a house feels finished only when the pool is filled. Not before.
Why Install An Infinity Pool?
So, is it for you?
If you’re building on a slope — or chasing that horizon line — it might be.
If you want stillness, reflection, and a sense of openness that no skimmer pool offers… yes.
But it does mean extra planning. More precision. A balancing tank. And someone who understands what happens when the water reaches the edge.
Conclusion
So—when is an infinity pool worth it? Answer: when you want more than a pool. You want something that blurs boundaries… that makes people ask, “How did they do that?” And yes, you’ll need extra room for the balancing tank (usually hidden under the terrace), and a bit more budget. But the payoff isn’t just visual.
It’s that moment when someone leans over and says, “It feels like floating.” Or when the reflection stays sharp at sunset. No cold patches. No thermal drop. Just warm, glass-like water right to the edge.
An infinity pool doesn’t pretend. It delivers.
And if that’s what you’re after, we’re here to help you design it.
Looking for technical insight?
We’ve detailed the full construction process — from structural layout and laser-level alignment to hydraulic balancing and invisible integration.
