Designing a custom-shaped or freeform pool offers unique visual appeal, but achieving a professional, clean finish at the pool’s edge can be a challenge. That’s where our purpose-built pool edge formwork shines. Standard framing materials aren’t designed to follow complex layouts or organic curves, which can lead to costly compromises in both performance and appearance.
At PoolEdge, we offer custom polystyrene formwork systems designed specifically for shaping the area where your pool and hardscaping meet. In this article, we’ll explore how our made-to-measure, flexible formwork solution simplifies even the most complex swimming pool projects.
Why Custom Pools Require Specialised Formwork
PoolEdge formwork plays a vital role in shaping the precision and final look of your pool surround. For custom pool designs, generic materials often fail to provide the flexibility or exact fit required to ensure a consistent result.
Freeform Designs Are Changing The Game
Modern pools are no longer confined to stock standard rectangular layouts. Today, it’s not out of place to see curved, kidney-shaped, L-shaped and geometric pools designed to suit architectural styles, sloping sites or entertaining zones. These innovative layouts demand an edging system that can follow the natural flow of the design without breaking alignment.
Structural Precision Is Non-Negotiable
Even before any concrete is poured, your formwork must be perfectly measured, positioned and fitted. This ensures the transition between the pool shell and surrounding materials, whether tiling, paving or a retaining wall, is clean, flush and durable.
Tailoring Formwork For Unique Designs & Features
Custom shaped pools deserve a solution that is tailored to fit perfectly. PoolEdge formwork is engineered to match your exact measurements, empowering you to create a structurally sound and visually flawless edge regardless of complexity.
The Benefits of Polystyrene For Custom Applications
Our system uses special-grade polystyrene, a material that is:
- Lightweight and easy to handle
- Bendable
- Ideal for following unique shapes, curves and irregular contours
Cut To Fit Your Pool
You supply the measurements and we’ll do the rest. Every PoolEdge formwork kit ensures a tight and accurate fit. Just position and secure the formwork and you’re ready for the next phase of your pool project.
Integrating Steps, Ledges & Retaining Walls
If your pool area design includes integrated features like ledges, steps or adjoins a retaining wall, PoolEdge can be adapted accordingly. Our system ensures these elements don’t interrupt the formwork, helping you achieve a gap-free, consistent edge around the entire perimeter of the pool.
PoolEdge: Flexible Formwork For Any Shape
PoolEdge was developed to make it easier to pour concrete around a pool. Whether you’re building a large freeform pool or a narrow plunge pool, our system takes the guesswork out of shaping your pool’s perimeter.
What’s Included In A PoolEdge System?
Your custom PoolEdge kit includes:
- Pre-cut polystyrene formwork
- Screws, tape and instructions
- PVC tile strip (for concrete pools) or
- PVC plumb strip (for fibreglass pools)
- Your choice of white, grey or black strips for seamless visual integration
These components work together to deliver a seamless transition between the pool shell and surrounding surfaces.
Creating Seamless, Gap-Free Edges
The job of the formwork is to define a neat, structured zone at the top of the pool where your concrete hardscaping begins. A PoolEdge system ensures this zone is:
- Aligned with the shape of the pool
- Free from misalignment or gaps
- Ready for a visually polished finish once surrounding materials are installed
Use Cases: From Designer Pools To Tight Spaces
Whether you’re building a narrow plunge pool, a round spa or a pool with curved ledges and stepped entries, the PoolEdge system offers full flexibility. It’s also ideal for retrofitting around garden elements or navigating tricky block boundaries.
Applications For Custom Pool Formwork
The versatility of the PoolEdge product means it’s well suited to a diverse range of pool projects, from new pool installations to complex renovations. Here’s a few instances where custom formwork makes the greatest impact:
Freeform & Designer Pool Builds
Custom pool formwork is crucial for aligning the structural edge to the unique lines of the build, suiting a range of projects from lagoon-style pools to wrap around resort-style designs. PoolEdge enables even the most creative designs to come to life with confidence.
Renovations & Pool Upgrades
Giving your pool area a facelift? The existing structure might not follow modern sizing or geometry. PoolEdge allows you to create custom-fit edges around irregular shapes, helping to modernise the appearance and durability of your swimming pool without the need for a complete overhaul.
Sloped Blocks & Retaining Edges
PoolEdge is ideal for pools built into slopes or tight layouts where integrated retaining walls or height changes are involved. The polystyrene can be adapted to follow complex profiles without introducing weak points or mismatched joins.
Installation Tips For Flawless Results
Installing custom pool formwork doesn’t need to be difficult, especially with made-to-measurement solutions like PoolEdge. Here are a few tips to ensure a smooth, professional-grade result.
How To Measure For Custom Formwork
To get started:
- Measure the full perimeter of the pool
- Provide accurate diagrams or templates if your pool shape is especially complex
Our team uses this data to cut the formwork to fit precisely, no bending or trimming required on site. If you’re located in WA between Two Rocks and Mandurah, installation is included as part of your purchase. If not, we offer DIY kits and have comprehensive downloadable guidelines and videos you can refer to.
Preparing The Site
Drain pool so water level is 50mm above the bottom of the skimmer box. Clean inside face of fibreglass pool to ensure good adhesion.
NOTE: Shell must be clean, dry and free from dust and mould residue.
Proper preparation allows the formwork to perform its role – defining the boundary for a smooth, consistent edge – without movement or misalignment.
Final Thoughts: A Smarter Way To Edge Custom Pools
The edge of your pool is more than a finishing detail. It’s a functional boundary connecting your swimming pool shell to the rest of your landscape. With custom pool designs, getting this connection right starts with accurate, adaptable formwork.
PoolEdge makes it easy to:
- Define a flawless, curved or angled edge
- Align with retaining walls or landscaping
- Eliminate visible gaps or irregularities
- Prepare your site for a high end finish
Whether you’re a professional builder or a hands-on homeowner, PoolEdge Australia delivers precision without complexity. Don’t compromise on the edge, contact PoolEdge today for tailored formwork that fits your project to perfection, regardless of shape or design.