In-ground vs raised pools
Fully buried or lifted 40–60 cm above the deck: structure, safety, cost and style compared.
At a glance
| In-ground | Raised rim | |
|---|---|---|
| Look | Water joins the garden floor | Architectural volume with a seat |
| Excavation | Full depth | Reduced — part of the depth is above grade |
| Toddler safety | Needs cover or fence | The 45+ cm rim is itself a barrier |
| Sloping sites | Needs retaining works | Natural fit |
| Seating | On the deck | The rim seats the whole perimeter |
| Cladding cost | None visible | All visible walls want stone or tile |
Our take
Flat garden, classic look, biggest resale appeal: in-ground. Sloping site, small children, or a courtyard where the pool should read as furniture: the raised rim earns its cladding budget. Hybrids — one raised architectural wall on an otherwise in-ground pool — are often the best of both.
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