To build your own pool or work with non-specialist craftsmen, you should look for the simplest solutions. Concrete shuttering blocks are a safe and easy way to construct an infinity pool. In-ground or semi-inground pools can be constructed with this concrete structure.
Focus on concrete shuttering blocks for pools
A masonry pool built with hollow blocks is only suitable for building a traditional pool with small skimmers and cannot use all types of linings. We are referring to pools constructed with concrete blocks filled with poured concrete. You can find more information about pool linings in this post.
Formwork blocks are made of factory-moulded concrete; unlike hollow blocks, they have holes at the base and are assembled with dry cement. There are one or two cells in each block for passing steel reinforcement necessary to construct reinforced concrete pool walls.
The blocks are used as lost formwork and filled with concrete delivered by lorry or mixed on site; the concrete has to be fluid enough to be pumped down through the interconnected cavities in the blocks.
In this way, the concrete is poured smoothly, forcing out air and eliminating segregation, resulting in walls that are extremely strong in both compression and lateral resistance.
The construction is similar to concrete forming panels, but it does not require any expensive equipment: there are no metal or wood panels and no concrete sprayer is required.
Note: Polystyrene blocks for swimming pools have been developed as an alternative to concrete shuttering blocks. While this formwork is lighter, it will require a PVC reinforced membrane or a liner to make the pool waterproof. If you’re interested in building a pool using polystyrene blocks, read on.
Using concrete shuttering blocks to build an overflow pool
This method can be used to construct rectangular as well as free-form pools. . A pool built with these materials will last longer and be more durable than a masonry pool.
It reduces the cost of the pool while offering high durability. As a result, it is possible to avoid sacrificing what is so fundamental to the aesthetics of the pool: the finishing touches, such as decking, coping, etc.
Swimming pools can also be refurbished with it. A regular pool can also be converted into an infinity or zero-deck pool using concrete formwork blocks.
Owners’ Experiences with Block-Built Infinity Pools
There are advantages and disadvantages to building an infinity pool from concrete blocks.
The benefits
- Walls can be put up easily by a bricklayer or do-it-yourselfer with experience in masonry. It is not advisable to undertake this endeavor alone if you have never constructed a concrete swimming pool before
- You can use this concrete structure to build any type of pool, swimming corridor or relaxation and bathing area. Using blocks, you can create an infinity pool.
- All pool coatings are permitted, including liners, mosaics, and glass fiber reinforced resins
- There is no limit to the shapes that can be created. Custom-made pools with rounded forms require more plastering work.
- Cutting out the blocks and inserting the parts required for the filtration system to work (bottom drain, projectors, suction nozzle, or delivery nozzle) is easy.
- Concrete formworked with panels or shotcrete has much higher construction costs. Swimming pool prices are discussed in this article.
The disadvantages
- Handling the blocks is difficult due to their weight.
- It is imperative to apply a waterproofing coating before tiling.
Among the many infinity pools we have helped build worldwide, one stands out.
Not for its size. Not even for its location — though Nouakchott, on the edge of the Sahara, is unlike anywhere else.
It stands out because of the way it came together. A narrow site between two buildings. Local teams unused to this type of construction. Every piece of equipment brought in from Europe. Yet, in the end, it became more than a pool: it became a place where people met, celebrated, and shared something rare.
Morana's advices 👇
Building an infinity pool with concrete shuttering blocks can be an excellent solution when adapted to the site’s constraints and when executed with precision. Make sure your plans are detailed — from the hydraulic layout to the overflow channel design — and that local teams understand each construction stage. Even in remote or challenging locations, success comes from a combination of clear design, the right materials, and close technical follow-up.
Your pool project deserves a professional support.
Case Study : Nouakchott - Mauritania
Project characteristics
This project consisted of a 16 x 3,70 m infinity pool, with a depth ranging from 1.30 to 2.00 m. A massage bench for six people is integrated along one side of the pool, separated from the main swimming area by stepping stones.
The pool was built with 27 cm-wide concrete shuttering blocks, with a technical room and surge tank adjacent to the basin. Two filter groups provided a combined filtration rate of 40 m²/h, with salt electrolysis treatment. The interior was finished in glass fibre reinforced resin by a local company.
From the outset, space was tight and local teams were unfamiliar with this construction method. Every piece of equipment — pumps, filtration systems, fittings — was imported from Europe. Precise coordination was essential to keep the work on schedule and ensure each stage met international standards.
Despite the constraints, the result exceeded expectations. The pool became a gathering place for family and friends — a small oasis in the heart of the Mauritanian capital.
Before construction began
From the first site photos, we developed the preliminary design and the final technical plans, including:
- General and sectional drawings.
- Detailed overflow edge design and step configuration.
- Piping diagram showing connections and underfloor routing.
- Technical room layout for filtration, heating, and control systems.
The build
Unlike shotcrete or panel pools, where floor and walls are poured in one go, block pools follow a step-by-step method:
1. Cast the concrete floor over the reinforcement mesh.
2. Assemble shuttering blocks, inserting steel reinforcement vertically.
3. Pour fluid concrete down the cavities, ensuring no air pockets remain.
4. Level and smooth surfaces before applying waterproofing (if required by the chosen lining).
Despite the constraints, the result exceeded expectations. The pool became a focal point of the property — a place for gatherings, celebrations, and moments of calm, even in the heart of Nouakchott.
Building with Morana: Key Advantages
There are many blogs on the internet that describe how people have constructed their own swimming pools; videos and photos demonstrate how individuals have built their regular swimming pools with hollow blocks. If you intend to construct an infinity pool or a deck level pool with concrete shuttering blocks, you will need a bit more than these materials. You will be provided with a full range of services by Conseils Morana, from the conception of your project to the execution of your plans and the preparation of an advice file. While the project? We will also be present. Do not worry.
Our expertise, combined with meticulous technical execution, ensures your overflow pool is not only beautiful but built to last.