Swimming Pool Renovation Guide
Swimming pools are more than places to swim. They are living spaces, architectural features, and often the heart of a garden. Yet, even the best-built pool will eventually need renewal. Tiles fade, equipment becomes outdated, water treatment loses efficiency, and sometimes the entire design feels tired. That is when a renovation project turns into an opportunity – not just to repair, but to transform.
In the UK and Europe, the term pool renovation is common. In the US, many homeowners talk about pool remodelling. Both refer to the same process: restoring, upgrading, or reinventing a swimming pool so it meets today’s aesthetic and technical standards. Whether it’s a simple refresh or a full conversion to an infinity pool, renovation allows you to secure your investment and bring new life to your outdoor space.
Step One – Assessing the Existing Pool
Every successful renovation begins with a complete assessment. This diagnosis determines what can be kept, what must be replaced, and what can be transformed.
Structural analysis – Concrete pools can last fifty years or more, but even they can develop cracks or movement. Prefabricated kits are less adaptable. The first question is whether the structure is sound enough to justify further work.
Waterproofing and interior finish – Old tiles or PVC liners often lose their appeal. The bright blue that was fashionable thirty years ago now feels dated. Grey, beige or dark linings create a more natural water colour. Fibreglass-reinforced polyester or reinforced PVC membranes are today’s premium alternatives.
Filtration and equipment – Pipes can leak, valves deteriorate, and pumps lose efficiency. Old skimmers may be poorly balanced. A renovation is the right moment to rethink the entire hydraulic system, perhaps integrating salt water chlorination, automatic pH regulation, or eco-friendly heating.
This step is not just technical. It is also the moment to listen carefully to the owner’s wishes. Do they want to extend the pool’s life with minimal expense? Or are they dreaming of a complete transformation with architectural impact?
Types of Swimming Pool Renovation
Pool renovation is not a single recipe. It ranges from minor upgrades to complete reconstruction. Each level brings different benefits and costs.
A concept borrowed from real estate, pool staging means refreshing an existing basin with modest interventions. Replacing ladders with built-in steps, updating the pool lining, or upgrading the filtration system can make an old pool feel brand new. These changes are relatively affordable and immediately improve comfort.
When cracks appear or leaks persist, repairs are essential. This may include partial reconstruction, reinforced waterproofing, or replacing deteriorated tiles. Such work ensures the pool remains safe and durable.
For many owners, renovation is the chance to add features: integrated spas, heating systems, LED lighting, automated covers, or even waterfalls. These elements increase comfort and enhance the pool’s ambiance.
At the far end of the scale lies complete transformation. This can mean changing the pool’s shape, replacing the entire hydraulic system, or converting a traditional skimmer pool into an infinity pool. A complete pool remodel requires expertise, detailed planning, and often costs similar to a new build – but the results can be spectacular.
Morana's advice 👇
A pool renovation should never be limited to the water itself. It is the right moment to rethink the whole environment: optimise energy consumption, integrate smart automation, and above all, position the pool within the architectural composition of the property. That is how a tired basin becomes a contemporary creation.
Discuss your pool renovation project with an expert designer.
Overflow Conversion – An Architectural Metamorphosis
The most striking form of renovation is the conversion of a skimmer pool into an infinity or zero-edge design. This is not just a technical upgrade; it is an architectural statement.
- Infinity edge – Water flows over one side into a hidden channel, visually erasing the boundary between pool and landscape.
- Mirror or deck-level effect – On flat ground, the water sits flush with the terrace, creating a seamless continuity between house, deck, and pool.
Such transformations demand precise hydraulic design: balance tanks, laser-levelled edges, and perfectly calculated flow. But the reward is immense – a pool that appears weightless, extending into the horizon.
For a deeper look at how infinity pools are designed and the different types of overflow, see our complete Infinity Pool Guide
Case Study – From Skimmers to Infinity Edge
Before
This rectangular pool, equipped with two skimmers, had visibly aged. The once-bright blue tiles had faded, the stone coping looked weathered, and the stainless steel ladders gave it a dated, utilitarian feel.
The contrast with the lush garden was obvious. Surrounded by coconut palms and a vibrant tropical setting, the pool no longer harmonised with its environment and felt in need of a new identity.
After
The transformation was clear: the water now mirrored the surrounding palm trees and blended seamlessly into the garden. The new overflow edge replaced the old skimmers, creating a calmer and more refined atmosphere. On the technical side, the filtration system was upgraded with heating, salt chlorination, and automatic pH control. Altogether, the pool became an infinity design that was not only more elegant but also more comfortable and easier to maintain.
The process
We replaced the skimmers with a 3.5-metre overflow running across the pool’s width, its water slipping quietly into a hidden balance tank. The stainless steel ladders gave way to a masonry staircase, more comfortable and far better integrated into the design. The old blue tiles were substituted with a dark-grey reinforced polyester lining, changing the water to a vibrant turquoise that echoed the tropical setting. Around the pool, exotic IPE decking was laid flush with the water, removing the heavy coping stones and giving the whole space a sleek, contemporary character that blended naturally with the garden.
The Benefits of Renovating a Pool
Renovation is not just about aesthetics. The benefits are both practical and financial:
Enhanced aesthetics – Modern finishes, lighting, and design features refresh the space.
Energy efficiency – Replacing old pumps with variable-speed models or using LED lighting reduces operating costs. Solar panels or heat pumps can extend the swimming season with minimal carbon footprint.
Increased functionality – Automated dosing, salt systems, or safety covers simplify daily use.
Property value – A well-renovated pool is a strong selling point. For hotels and villas, it can even transform the appeal of the property for guests.
Pool Renovation Costs – What to Expect
The cost of a renovation depends above all on the condition of the existing structure and the level of transformation:
Simple modernisation – New liner, filtration upgrade, or equipment replacement: from a few thousand euros.
Structural repairs – Fixing cracks, waterproofing, or masonry work: significant investment, depending on scale.
Infinity conversion – Complete hydraulic redesign with overflow and balance tank: comparable to a new construction.
Every project must be studied individually, with technical feasibility and owner objectives carefully balanced.
Who Is Involved in a Renovation?
A renovation project brings together several actors, each with a specific role:
The client
He defines the objectives, priorities, and budget.
The pool contractor
He handles technical work and equipment installation, especially when the same company maintains the pool.
The construction contractor
Masonry, waterproofing, decking, stairs: all require building expertise.
The pool designer
He goes beyond repair to imagine transformation. The designer ensures proportion, material harmony, light integration, and overall architectural vision.
When these roles work together, renovation becomes not just maintenance, but creation
Conclusion : Renovation as a New Creation
Renovating a swimming pool is not simply about extending its lifespan. It is about giving meaning again to a space that has aged. Sometimes, changing the equipment is enough. Other times, renovation opens the way to a total metamorphosis: a mirror effect that captures the light, a cascade that merges with the slope, or a staircase that replaces an awkward ladder.
Every project is unique. It demands technical expertise, an attentive reading of the site, and above all, creative vision. When these come together, renovation becomes architecture.
Thinking of Renovating Your Pool? We support private owners, hoteliers, and architects worldwide in turning outdated pools into contemporary designs. A renovation project deserves more than just repair – it deserves a holistic vision.
Contact us to discuss your pool renovation or remodelling project and discover how our international consulting can transform your ideas into reality.