Acrylic Pool Design Private Residence • Italy Our Mission

Innovative Acrylics designs, fabricates and installs a variety of acrylic swimming pool windows and walls that offer spectacular views. While many pool window fabricators are limited to single-sided-rectangular viewing panels, we employ advanced manufacturing techniques to chemically bond and thermoform acrylic, allowing us to create multi-sided viewing panels of nearly any conceivable dimension. Whether you’re a homeowner looking to create a statement piece for your indoor or outdoor pool or a professional Acrylic panel swimming pool wall in search of a training aid, our acrylic transparencies offer unparalleled performance and versatility. Panel types

Acrylic panels for swimming pools can be divided most simply into two unique categories, three-side and four-side support.

1 Three-Side Support Acrylic Panels for Swimming Pools

Three-side support panels are secured at the sill and the jambs, leaving the top edge unconstrained and visibly exposed. Offering amazing versatility in the design of your pool, they can be placed in an array of configurations, from conventional rectangular swimming pool windows to complex L- and U-shaped acrylic pool walls. They are often at their most breathtaking when used in an infinity pool design.

“Three-side support” refers to pool windows that are constrained along three sides. In this configuration, a cantilever-style rebate prevents translational rotation. Three-side Support Acrylic Panel

The exposed top edge of three-side support panels allows for virtually unlimited possibilities in the appearance of your pool, but they all come down to freeboard and infinity pool edge styles.

Rectangular Three-Side Pool Window By far the most common and affordable acrylic pool window, the rectangular three-side support window is great for infinity edge pools. These windows are the most common three- side selection for freeboard pools as well.

L-Shape Three-Side Pool Window An L-shaped three-side support acrylic pool wall or window provides 270 degrees of beauty. With a top edge free of constraints and the ability to create complete transparency across three sides of your pool, it’s one of the most stunning designs available.

Convex Three-Side Pool Window Three-side support convex windows project outward on the dry side of your pool. This unique shape requires specialized attention in the fabrication and installation process to ensure integrity while giving you a design that is custom to your pool.

Innovative Acrylics • PO Box 76523 • Saint Petersburg, FL. 33734 Toll Free: 888-334-4457 • International & Local: 727-359-0236 • Fax: 727-362-6827 [email protected] • www.acrylicpools.com • www.innovativeacrylics.com Concave Three-Side Pool Window Three-side support concave windows protrude inward in a curved fashion. These panels make for an elegant custom pool design.

U-Shape Three-Side Pool Window Using two 90-degree angles, U-shaped three-side support acrylic pool panels provide complete transparency on three sides of your pool. No top supports obstruct the 270-degree view.

2 Four-Side Support Acrylic Panels for Swimming Pools

Four-side support acrylic windows serve perfectly as underwater windows for swimming pools. In addition to many other applications, these panels are often used in competition pools, allowing guests to see into the swimming pool from a variety of vantage points.

These panels are supported along all four edges. Two vertical jambs are used as well as a bottom sill and a top header. They are most commonly installed into an L-shaped rebate that integrates a compression-style baring face. In certain applications, a C channel may be utilized at the sill and jambs. Four-side Support Acrylic Panel The baring face support is typically as thick as the acrylic window panel. To ensure uniform loading along the baring face, special attention must be given during the installation procedure. At Innovative Acrylics, we have extensive experience in the installation process and pay special attention to these nuances that make a difference in the safety and durability of your pool design.

Four-side acrylic pool windows can be produced in massive lengths and widths to give a seamless look to your pool. These monolithic panels can measure up to 300” in length and 115” in width as well as height. It is even possible to exceed these dimensions by bonding acrylic or by using silicone joints in the construction of your pool walls.

Our four-side pool windows have virtually no limitation to their configuration, and we’ve provided details on some of the most popular designs available below.

Rectangular Vertical Four-Side Pool Window This is the most common and cost effective four-side support pool window, and ideal for observation windows in competition pools or even as submerged interior viewports. Designers often incorporate this style of transparency to accentuate a space while adding a unique lighting effect.

Circle Vertical Pool Window For a unique viewing experience, a circle vertical acrylic pool window can be installed as a pool porthole. These circular window panels are placed within an L-shaped rebate. This allows for the rebate to take up the full perimeter of the panel for a seamless appearance in your pool design.

Innovative Acrylics • PO Box 76523 • Saint Petersburg, FL. 33734 Toll Free: 888-334-4457 • International & Local: 727-359-0236 • Fax: 727-362-6827 [email protected] • www.acrylicpools.com • www.innovativeacrylics.com Saint Petersburg, FL. 33734 76523 • Saint Petersburg, Innovative Acrylics • PO Box International & Local: 727-359-0236 • Fax: 727-362-6827 Free: 888-334-4457 • International & Local: Toll • www.innovativeacrylics.com • www.acrylicpools.com [email protected] Four-Side Pool Window Pool Four-Side Convex Window Pool Four-Side Concave Four-Side Pool Window Pool Four-Side U-Shape Four-Side Pool Window Pool Four-Side L-Shape Pool Window Pool Horizontal Circle Like its rectangular counterpart, the circle pool floor window full perimeter encompasses the rebate that into an L-shape porthole) is installed window or (a.k.a circle horizontal pool panel thickness. equal to the a baring face support again utilizing of the panel, L-shaped four-side support acrylic require a more custom approach, For installations that pool appearance in your swimming be used to create a one-of-a-kind pool windows can observation area. This pool corner window is typically used pleasing. extremely aesthetically in commercial builds, as it is For maximum underwater viewing, a U-shaped four-side support swimming can be selected. Often requested for commercial installations pool for its unique design presence, window your guests to appreciate. of observation for these acrylic windows give three angles observation on spin unique a offer pools swimming for windows convex support four-side Our craftsmanship. their in attention special require and outward curve panels window These areas. The opposite of our convex panels, our concave windows for pools protrude viewing inward panel for with a some personality. The four-side support option also allows these to be used as distinctive underwater windows.

Private Residence • Tampa Florida Design Criteria

The following criteria are considered industry standard or above such and are observed in the design process.

3-side support panels Deflection Standards

Most panel fabricators will design their 3-side support transparencies to an industry maximum deflection standard of L/400. However, there is an issue to this standard, thus below we shall explore an alternative solution and evaluate the issues with this standard.

The industry standard problem: As we can see all three panels are of equal height. Example problem: However, based upon the industry standard design 100”L x 40”H = ∆ 0.25” criteria of L/400, the yellow panel would be able 200”L x 40”H = ∆ 0.5” to deflect twice that of the green panel. Thus, the ∞ L x 40”H = ∆ ∞ thickness of the yellow transparency could be thinner than the green transparency. Based upon this design criteria a panel could theoretically deflect an in infinite amount.

Our solution:

A more appropriate standard that Innovative Example solution: Acrylics observes is <= H/200 OR <=L/400 100”L x 40”H = ∆ 0.20” whichever is less. Thus, in this example the green ∞ L x 40”H = ∆ 0.20” panel and blue panel are able to deflect the same amount.

3-Sided Cant. Detail 3-Sided Cant. Freeboard Detail 3-Sided Standard Detail

Standard cantilever embedment Standard cantilever embedment The embedment depth is reduced depth. depth with reduced water depth. thus a thicker panel is required to reduce deflection.

4-side Support Panels Deflection Standard

Structural loading panels with 4 side supported edges: Initial predicted deflection <= 1/300 the length of the shortest edge.

4-Sided Standard Deflection 4-Sided Standard Detail This is a depiction of a 4 side support panel stationary with no loading.

Reducing deflection beyond industry standards All AcrylicPool.com transparencies are designed to strict standards for deflection and stress criteria, thus reducing deflection beyond these criteria is solely a cosmetic undertaking. There are several options to achieve this:

 Increase the thickness of the transparency.  Reduce the panel size.  Reduce the water depth.  Increase rebate bearing face support.

Design Stress for 3 side and 4 side support panels  The minimum tension and flexure design safety factor for panels shall be 11.2. Per ASME-PVHO-1  The minimum compression design safety factor for panels shall be 8. Per ASME-PVHO-1

Design and Engineering Process With just a concept, the design and engineering process is imperative to ensure the proper thickness transparency is selected. Engineering is accomplished by first completing an intake analysis to understand the specifics of a project. Next the engineer will produce a computer-generated model of the transparency. The engineer will then apply a simulated load in an FEA program to accurately predict the intended application. After all variables are accounted for the simulation is run and evaluated for its accuracy. Finally production drawings are produced and Report showing predicted loading and submitted for client approval and fabrication. deflections

Incorporating stylish pool window edges allows for a finished look that also provides additional safety. Edge style options are determined by the window panel selection as well as the application of your pool. Pools that incorporate three-side support windows typically gravitate towards radius or bullnose edges, while a chamfered edge is the industry standard for four-side support panels.

Innovative Acrylics provides pool windows with the following edge designs:

Chamfered Edge Bullnose Edge Radius Edge Custom Edge

Chamfer Edge Detail Bullnose Edge Detail Radius Edge Detail Custom Edge Detail

Chamfered edges can be Upgrade to the bullnose As our standard window We can create a custom integrated into all panel edge for a rounded top. edge, the radius finish edge design for you. Come types as it reduces load This finish is ideal for works well with freeboard to us with your design forces. This edge can easily partition walls in spa and infinity designs. This ideas and we will develop be transported to your pools to provide a smooth edge style provides a a personalized pool finish pool site. transition between a dry personal touch to your pool for you. and wet surface. as well as increased safety. The edge dimensions are typically 3/8” or ½” with alternative radiuses available. Private Residence • South Florida

In this section we will briefly outline the process of how acrylic pool window and wall transparencies are created post design phase.

1 2 3 4 5 6

Production Dimensional Thermoforming Annealing Bonding Polishing rendering

1 Production of acrylic sheet Acrylic sheet (PMMA) is a thermoplastic, produced by reacting methyl methacrylate (MMA) with an initiator inside of a highly polished mold. The initiator is added to start the polymerization reaction, but does not become part of the resulting polymer. After the acrylic sheet has finished the process of bulk polymerization, the molds are cooled and opened. The acrylic sheets are then annealed to remove residual stresses in the material that can cause instabilities.

2 Dimensional rendering The finished acrylic sheets are then trimmed to the required size before further processing. This processis performed utilizing specialized tooling in conjunction with water-cooling to prevent the introduction of stress during machining.

3 Thermoforming If required thermoforming may be used to produce your acrylic pool window transparency. This involves producing a unique male or female mold. The mold and acrylic sheet are placed inside of a large oven that slowly heats and softens the panel allowing it to take contour. This process must be preformed in a very precise manor in order to avoid the introduction of stress. Inexperienced fabricators will often shorten cycle times to save money, resulting in an inferior product. Thermoforming

4 Annealing Acrylic is a poor conductor of heat; uneven heating followed by rapid cooling will introduce high surface stress into the material. During machining attention must be given to ensure excess heat is not generated. When applicable a processed known as annealing is utilized to reduce or eliminate stress that may remain. Following the dimensional rendering, bonding or the thermoforming process, acrylic will be annealed. Annealing is the process of slowly heating the acrylic sheet to just below the glass transition temperature, followed by cooling at a precise rate. If preformed Annealing correctly the process will relieve the stress and prevent it from recurring. The cycle temperature and time is dependent upon the cross section thickness of the acrylic panel.

Innovative Acrylics • PO Box 76523 • Saint Petersburg, FL. 33734 Toll Free: 888-334-4457 • International & Local: 727-359-0236 • Fax: 727-362-6827 [email protected] • www.acrylicpools.com • www.innovativeacrylics.com 5 Bonding For large panels or ones with complex geometric shapes a process known as bonding can be used. Most fabricators have not invested in scientific evaluation of their bonding methods and use inferior commercially available acrylic adhesives. All of our bonding technologies have been independently lab tested for tensile and shear strength. Our proprietary bonding technology has a tensile strength of over 9,000 PSI, which is far superior to commercially available products that range from 2,000 PSI to 4,000 PSI. In addition to being stronger, our adhesive is clearer, harder and more chemically resistant than commercial adhesives. As Adhesive Batch Reactor a consumer, this gives you the peace of mind that our adhesive won’t cloud or separate. As an added safety factor, we design and manufacture all of our bonded transparencies to withstand more than 11.2 times their maximum load.

6 Polishing an acrylic pool window or wall Panels that are designed as 3-side support transparencies or incorporate bonds will require polishing. Polishing an acrylic transparency is a highly laborious process that requires extreme attention to detail. The process starts with an aggressive abrasive and proceeds with incremental steps until a 1-micron optical finish is achieved. Inexperienced fabricators will often leave visible distortions that will reflect light abnormally.

Polishing

Installation

A successful pool window installation involves two processes. The concrete, stainless, or other rebate substrate first must be properly sealed with a compatible product. Secondly, a flexible silicone seal must be used to glaze the acrylic pool transparency to the rebate.

Rebate Waterproofing The concrete, stainless, or other rebate substrate first must be properly sealed with a compatible product. Usually this is accomplished by applying a cementitious waterproofing compound that when cured provides an impermeable membrane. Selection and application is paramount, incompatible or poorly applied products will cause separation that results in a leak.

Waterproofing Silicone Glazing Most hydro-transparency installers offer only one solution for waterproofing sealants. At Innovative Acrylics we offer two solutions for glazing pool transparencies.

Our slow-setting glazing solution is considered the industry standard. However, the limitation of this glazing option is the cure time prior to static water testing. Under optimal conditions this glazing solution will require between 3 to 6 weeks.

The second solution is a rapid curing product requiring 24 hours to 48 hours in Glazing optimal conditions. This product is more expensive, but is an ideal choice for accelerated installation schedules.

Innovative Acrylics • PO Box 76523 • Saint Petersburg, FL. 33734 Toll Free: 888-334-4457 • International & Local: 727-359-0236 • Fax: 727-362-6827 [email protected] • www.acrylicpools.com • www.innovativeacrylics.com Contact us today. Contact . , build it and install it we can design it the shape of your pool, Whatever 727-359-0236 • Toll Free: 888-334-4457 • International & Local: [email protected]

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