Picture yourself floating in crystal-clear water, and ahead of you, the pool seems to vanish into the horizon. No visible edge, no barrier between you and the vast landscape beyond. That's the magic of an infinity swimming pool.

What is an infinity pool? It's a swimming pool designed to create the illusion of water extending endlessly into the distance. The pool appears edgeless from certain angles, as if the water flows right off into infinity. You'll also hear them called vanishing edge pools, zero edge pools, or negative edge pools.

The beauty lies in the deception. While it looks like the water disappears into thin air, there's sophisticated engineering at work behind the scenes.

How Do Infinity Pools Work?

The secret to an infinity swimming pool isn't magic, it's smart design. Think about a waterfall. Water cascades over an edge and falls to a lower level. Infinity pools use this same principle, just in a more controlled way.

The pool wall on one or more sides sits just below the water's surface, hidden from view. Water continuously flows over this submerged edge, creating that seamless, disappearing effect. But the water doesn't vanish. It spills into a hidden catch basin positioned just beyond and below the vanishing edge.

This catch basin collects the overflow water, and pumps circulate it back into the main pool through a filtration system. The cycle continues as long as the pool operates. The pool is designed with a subtle slope toward the infinity edge that your eyes can't detect, ensuring water moves in the right direction. When sunlight reflects off the water's surface, it further blurs the boundary between pool and horizon.

Alternate Names For Infinity Pools

Vanishing edge pools
Negative edge pools
Zero edge pools
Rimless pools
Edgeless swimming pools

Are Infinity Pools Safe?

This is usually the first question people ask. Are infinity pools dangerous? The short answer: no, they're perfectly safe.

The vanishing edge is a visual trick, not an actual missing wall. The pool still has a complete perimeter. The wall on the infinity side sits just an inch or so below the waterline. For someone to fall over the edge, they would need to actively climb over the pool wall.

Even if someone did get over that wall, the catch basin sits right there. It's not a cliff drop. The basin is designed to collect water at a manageable height below the main pool. Standard pool safety practices still apply—proper depth markings, supervision of children, and compliant fencing all matter just as much with infinity pools.

Types of Infinity Pools

Single-edge infinity pools

One vanishing side, usually positioned to face the most impressive view. This might be a cityscape, ocean vista, mountain range, or rolling hills.

Multi-edge infinity pools

Two or more sides featuring the vanishing effect. These create an even more dramatic illusion but require more extensive engineering and additional catch basins. Each additional infinity edge increases both cost and installation time.

Perimeter overflow pools

Water flows over all sides into perimeter gutters, creating a perfectly flat, mirror-like surface that reflects the sky.

How Much is an Infinity Pool?

An infinity pool costs more than a standard pool because of the additional engineering and construction complexity involved.

In Austin, expect to invest between $80,000 and $150,000 or more for a quality infinity pool. For comparison, a standard inground pool in Austin starts around $50,000 to $70,000. Adding the infinity edge typically adds $25,000 to $50,000 to your base pool investment.

Pool size, materials, finish quality, number of infinity edges, site conditions, and added features all influence the final cost. Larger pools cost more than smaller ones. Your property's terrain also affects cost—infinity pools work best on sloped lots where the catch basin can be positioned naturally below the main pool elevation.

Infinity Pool vs Regular Pool

Visually, there's no competition. Infinity pools create a sense of limitless space and seamless integration with the landscape. Regular pools have visible boundaries.

Functionally, infinity pools require more sophisticated systems. The recirculation pump moves water continuously from the catch basin back to the main pool. You're maintaining two water areas instead of one: the main pool and the catch basin.

Water quality can actually be superior in infinity pools. The constant water movement over the edge creates natural surface skimming, pulling debris off the water's surface into the catch basin. Maintenance requirements are higher since you need to clean both the main pool and the catch basin.

Cost Difference

The infinity pool cost vs regular pool typically represents a 30% to 50% premium for the infinity design. If a standard pool would cost $60,000, adding the infinity edge might bring the total to $85,000 to $110,000. This premium pays for the catch basin construction, additional pumping systems, more complex plumbing, and specialized filtration.

FAQS

What are the benefits of an infinity pool?

The visual impact tops the list. An infinity pool turns your backyard into a resort-worthy escape. Positioned correctly, it creates that magazine-cover aesthetic where water and sky merge.

Property value sees a boost. In markets like Austin where outdoor living space matters tremendously, a well-designed infinity pool provides excellent return on investment.

Better water quality results from constant surface skimming. The continuous circulation keeps water fresher and cleaner with less manual skimming required.

The sound of water adds ambiance. That gentle cascade over the infinity edge creates a soothing, waterfall-like sound that enhances your outdoor space.

Ideal Locations for Infinity Pools

Hillside lots offer natural elevation changes that make infinity edge construction more straightforward and cost-effective. The catch basin sits naturally at a lower elevation than the main pool.

Properties with stunning views maximize the infinity pool's visual potential. Ocean vistas, city skylines, mountain ranges, or dramatic sunsets all pair beautifully with the vanishing edge.

Rooftop locations work wonderfully for infinity pools, particularly in urban settings. The engineering is more complex since everything needs structural support, but the result justifies the effort.

Flat properties can accommodate infinity pools, but the design requires more creativity. You'll need to excavate to create the necessary elevation difference, which adds cost but remains entirely feasible.

Key Features of Infinity Pools

The vanishing edge wall sits precisely at or just below the waterline. Getting this height exactly right is critical. Too high and you see the wall. Too low and water flow becomes excessive.

The catch basin must be sized correctly to handle water flow without overfilling or running dry. It needs adequate volume to manage normal overflow plus accommodate swimmers entering the pool.

Recirculation pumps move water from the basin back to the main pool continuously. These pumps need enough power to maintain proper water levels without creating excessive turbulence.

Level surfaces are non-negotiable. The infinity edge must be laser-level to create an even, consistent waterfall effect.

How do I take care of an infinity pool?

Maintenance follows most standard pool care practices with a few additional considerations.

Water chemistry requires regular attention. Test pH, alkalinity, and sanitizer levels. The constant water movement helps distribute chemicals evenly, but you still need to monitor and adjust regularly.

The catch basin needs cleaning. Debris and leaves accumulate in the basin. Plan to clean it weekly or as needed to prevent clogs and maintain water quality.

Recirculation system monitoring is essential. Check that pumps are operating correctly, water levels in the catch basin stay within proper ranges, and flow over the infinity edge remains consistent.

Water level checks matter more with infinity pools. The system loses more water to evaporation due to increased surface area exposure in the catch basin. Keep the water level topped off to maintain the infinity effect.

Working with experienced pool builders like Modern Pools, who know Austin’s terrain and climate inside and out, makes it easier to choose what fits your budget while still getting a pool you’re genuinely excited about.

What is an Infinity Swimming Pool?