Glass Bottom Pool & Skylight: Florida Case Study
- Dimensions: 2.8 x 1.6 m
- Application: Underwater Skylight / Transparent Pool Floor
- Pool Type: Tiled Concrete Pool
- Glazing: Hydrosight Pressure-Resistant Acrylic (PMMA)
This private residence on the west coast of Florida features a swimming pool located on the roof of the villa. To brighten up the hall beneath the pool, the architect and swimming pool builder partnered with Hydrosight to engineer a structural transparent floor that doubles as a skylight.
The Challenge: Safety and Condensation
Installing a window in the bottom of a pool presents unique engineering challenges compared to vertical walls.
- Walkability: The glazing must support the immense weight of the water column plus the "Live Load" of swimmers standing on it.
- Condensation: Because the window separates warm pool water from an air-conditioned room, there is a high risk of condensation forming on the ceiling below.
The Hydrosight Solution
1. Structural Safety (Walkable)
We utilized a high-performance monolithic acrylic block rather than laminated glass. Acrylic is impact-resistant and ductile, making it safe for swimmers to walk on without the risk of shattering or delamination common with glass floors.
2. Condensation Control
Unlike glass, acrylic has excellent thermal insulation properties (low thermal conductivity). This natural insulation minimizes the temperature transfer, significantly reducing the risk of condensation dripping into the living space below.
3. 100% Watertight Guarantee
To ensure a leak-free ceiling, Hydrosight supplied the skylight as a ready-to-install unit. The acrylic is factory-bonded to a stainless steel frame and pressure-tested before shipment, removing the risk of improper sealing on the construction site.
The Result
The skylight transforms the hall beneath the pool into an atmospheric space. Sunlight filters through the water, creating dancing "caustic" light patterns on the floor below, turning the pool into a living art installation visible from inside the home.
Interested in a similar project?
This project uses Hydrosight Glass Bottom Pool glazing. Available in standard and custom sizes for tiled, stainless steel, and concrete pools.
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