Above ground pool with decking – wooden pool by your terrace or built into your deck
Above ground pool with decking on a wooden frame stands on its own structure, so you can place it next to the terrace or box it in with boards so that the rim sits level with the deck surface. Wall height of 110-112 cm and wooden cladding make the pool look like part of the terrace, not an add-on.
Which pool should you choose for a terrace?
A freestanding wooden decking pool that does not require excavation works best on a terrace. Wooden Pools models have an external height of 110-112 cm, water depth of 100 cm and cladding made of spruce or Thermo wood, so they are easy to integrate with terrace decking.
A terrace swimming pool with wooden cladding pairs well with composite boards and natural timber, yet remains an independent construction resting on the ground. This means it doesn’t alter the existing terrace structure as much as an in-ground pool would, and you can dismantle it or move it to another part of the garden if needed.
Wooden Pools models feature an insert made of 100 cm deep polypropylene board, which provides comfortable conditions for swimming and play, while keeping the wall height in the 110-112 cm range. This height works well with typical deck and terrace step heights.
You can choose Standard and Thermo versions with spruce or Thermo wood cladding, as well as Premium SPA models with Thermo wood slatted cladding and extended equipment for relaxation and swim training.
Two options: pool next to the terrace and pool built into the terrace
You can plan a decking pool in two main ways. The first is to place the shell right at the edge of the deck and use the supplied wooden steps and ladder. The second is to build the terrace or a timber platform around the pool up to the level of the upper wall edge, so that the water surface is flush with the deck.
In both variants the pool stands on a prepared base on the ground, and the terrace or platform structure is built around it. This way the weight of the water does not load the terrace joists or beams but is transferred directly to the compacted ground below the pool shell.
Pool next to the terrace – wooden steps and stainless steel ladder included
When you place the pool next to the terrace, you can use the full set of equipment that comes as standard with the Standard and Thermo models. The set includes wooden steps leading to the top edge of the shell and a stainless steel ladder on the inside of the pool.
This solution works when the level of the existing terrace is lower or higher than 110-112 cm and you are not planning to build decking level with the pool edge. The shell remains fully visible and the spruce panelling or Thermo wood cladding form a coherent block positioned right by the terrace.
You can position the freestanding pool parallel to the deck edge or at an angle, as long as you keep convenient access to the steps and ladder. Make sure you leave enough service space on the side with the filtration equipment and technical box.
Standard models, such as Heated wooden pool 480×240 – Standard, offer complete access and filtration equipment as part of the base specification. Wooden steps and a stainless steel ladder mean you do not need to design extra steps just to get into the shell.
Built-in pool
The second scenario is a built-in pool – the shell is set on a compacted base and a deck is built around it up to the level of the wall edge. As a result, when you step out onto the terrace you see the water surface at deck height, and the wooden pool rim visually blends into the surrounding structure.
In Standard and Thermo models, the integrated equipment box is 80 cm wide, so when planning the decking you need to allow for a hatch or removable part of the deck above this section of the pool. This gives you access to the sand filter, pump and the rest of the water circulation system.
A wooden terrace swimming pool is usually surrounded by a boardwalk on a support structure, with a small expansion gap between the decking and the pool walls. The pool edge can act as a boundary between different terrace zones, which helps organise the space without having to build walls or pergolas.
Even when you box the pool in this way, you still use the wooden steps and stainless steel ladder, but you can incorporate them into the deck layout, leading to them along a boardwalk or placing them on the garden side rather than only from the terrace.
How much does a filled pool on a terrace weigh?
A filled 480×240 pool weighs approx. 7,6 t, and the largest 685×300 model approx. 15,8 t (structure + water). This translates to approx. 660-770 kg per 1 m² of base, which is why the pool is placed on the ground on a solid, compacted substrate, and the terrace surface is built around it.
Separating the load-bearing roles is crucial: the shell with water must stand on a base prepared on the ground, while the terrace is an independent structure whose task is to provide circulation space and an aesthetic surround for the pool. This ensures that the water load is not transferred to the terrace joists or slabs but straight to the ground.
| Model | Structure weight | Water | Total | Per 1 m² (external dimensions) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 480×240 | approx. 800 kg | 6 840 l | approx. 7,6 t | approx. 660 kg |
| 580×240 | approx. 1 100 kg | 8 740 l | approx. 9,8 t | approx. 710 kg |
| 680×240 | approx. 1 400 kg | 10 640 l | approx. 12,0 t | approx. 740 kg |
| Premium 485×235 | approx. 1 000-1 100 kg | 6 840 l | approx. 7,9 t | approx. 690 kg |
| Premium 685×300 | approx. 1 800 kg | 14 000 l | approx. 15,8 t | approx. 770 kg |
When planning a terrace with a pool, you therefore need to take into account not only the external dimensions of the pool, but also its weight when filled.
If the deck is to surround the pool on three or four sides, it is helpful to sketch plans and sections in advance so you can allow for service gaps, space for hatches and the route of the electrical installation powering the filtration equipment and any terrace lighting.
How to build a wooden deck around a pool?
You should treat the wooden deck around the pool as a separate structure – the pool stands directly on the hardened base, and the terrace is brought up to it. You must leave access to the filter and equipment box, for example through a hatch in the deck or removable decking sections.
Planning a terrace swimming pool starts with marking out the location for the shell and preparing the base on the ground, and only then designing the deck structure. This makes it easier to align the layout of joists and support posts with the pool shape, leaving an appropriate gap between the terrace structure and the pool wall.
In practice, the deck can be a continuous surface surrounding the pool, or a terrace offset from one of the pool walls, which provides comfortable use and simplifies servicing. Plan at least one part of the deck that can be removed to give full access to the 80 cm wide integrated equipment box in Standard and Thermo models.
If you are planning a larger built-up area, you can consider creating several levels: the main terrace at the house, a lower platform at pool level and short stair runs connecting these levels. This helps to adapt the layout to the existing terrain and interior floor height without having to raise the shell itself.
Which model for decking – Standard, Thermo, Premium SPA
When choosing an above ground pool with decking, it is worth starting with a decision on whether you want a simple family pool with classic spruce cladding or a pool with upgraded finish, for example in Thermo wood or with extensive hydromassage and counter-current systems.
Standard models are classic wooden pools with a spruce frame and spruce panelling. They come in three lengths: 480×240, 580×240 and 680×240. Each of them has a 6 mm polypropylene board insert, wooden steps, stainless steel ladder, sand filter with pump and an 80 cm wide integrated equipment box. For example, Wooden pool 580×240 – Standard is available with full specification, and you can check all options in the configurator on the product page.
The Thermo line consists of pools with the same external dimensions and user parameters as Standard, but with cladding and finish in Thermo wood. This gives the block a darker, more understated character and works particularly well with terraces finished in warm-toned decking boards. The Wooden pool 680×240 – Thermo at 680 cm in length provides a large water surface while maintaining a height of 112 cm. Details of available configurations and equipment can be found in the product configurator.
The Premium SPA range is intended for those who want to combine a garden pool with a SPA-style experience. These pools feature 19 mm Thermo wood slatted cladding, a spruce frame structure and a 6 mm polypropylene insert, alongside extended equipment: Skimmer filter, LED lighting, 9 kW inverter heat pump, sand filter with media, chlorine generator and, depending on the model, counter-current or water-air massage jets.
The Counter-current pool 485×235 – Premium SPA with an external height of 110 cm and a capacity of approx. 6 840 l is a great option for those who want to use a terrace pool for swim training as well. All configuration options and upgrades are presented in the configurator on the product page. The Large pool with hydromassage 685×300 – Premium SPA with a capacity of approx. 14 000 l and structure weight of approx. 1 800 kg is designed for terraces with more available space.
All of the above models have wall heights between 110 and 112 cm and a water depth of 100 cm, so you can use them either as freestanding pools next to a terrace or box them in with decking to create a unified composition with your terrace boards.
If you are considering other forms of water relaxation on your terrace, take a look at the SPA tubs category, which includes square and round models on separate frames, equally easy to integrate into terrace structures.
Wooden terrace swimming pool – what do you need to know?
A wooden terrace swimming pool is a freestanding structure that does not require excavation and can be placed right next to an existing deck or boxed in with decking boards up to the wall edge. The external height of 110-112 cm, 100 cm depth and spruce or Thermo wood cladding ensure the shell forms a coherent whole with the terrace boards.
A filled pool weighs from approx. 7,6 t to approx. 15,8 t, which is why it always stands on compacted ground, while the deck is an independent structure with access left to the equipment box and filter. This way a terrace with a pool remains both visually appealing and safe to use.
You can choose between Standard and Thermo pools with spruce or Thermo wood cladding and Premium SPA pools with Thermo slatted cladding and extended equipment for recreation, hydromassage and counter-current swimming. Check the configurators on the individual product pages or call +48 888 768 211 to choose a decking pool tailored to your garden.
