Glossary
Pool design and construction glossary
Plain definitions for homeowners, salespeople and new crew. General information: local rules and practice differ.
By the PoolSketch team at Tegminestar. Updated .
AI photo finish
A PoolSketch feature (Pro and Team) that turns the 3D view, with a yard photo when you have one, into a photograph style image labelled "Artist's concept".
Bond beam
A reinforced concrete beam around the top of a pool shell that ties the walls together.
Client share link
A link a homeowner can open to see a live 3D view of the design. In PoolSketch links expire after 60 days and you can revoke them.
Concept sketch
A drawing for discussion that shows layout and intent. It is not a construction drawing and dimensions are verified on site.
Coping
The edge material along the top of a pool wall, between the pool and the deck.
Easement
A legal right for someone else, often a utility, to use part of your lot. Building a pool on one is usually not allowed.
Excavation
Digging out the ground for the pool shell. The volume is measured in cubic yards in the US.
Fiberglass pool
A pool shell moulded off site in one piece from fiberglass-reinforced plastic, then set in an excavation.
Gunite
Concrete applied by spraying it dry and adding water at the nozzle, used to build custom concrete pool shells.
Impervious surface (lot coverage)
Surfaces water cannot soak through, such as roofs and paving. Some places limit the share of a lot that can be covered.
No-build zone
In PoolSketch, an area you mark where nothing may be placed, such as an easement or a setback strip. A piece that touches it is flagged in red and labelled in words.
Option A and B
Two versions of a design at different scopes or features, shown to the homeowner so the choice is between two yeses.
Plunge pool
A small, often deep pool meant for cooling off, not for swimming laps.
Pool barrier
A fence, wall or other barrier with gates that keeps children away from the pool. Local codes set its height and gate rules.
Pool volume
The amount of water the pool holds, in gallons in the US. Used to size equipment and chemicals.
Scale
The link between a drawing and real distances. In PoolSketch you set it by marking one known length and typing it in, then check it against a second.
Setback
The minimum distance the law requires between a structure (here a pool or its equipment) and a property line, the house or another feature. The distance depends on the local authority.
Shotcrete
Concrete sprayed at high speed onto a form or steel frame. In pools the term is often used for a wet-mix process.
Skimmer
A fitting at the water line that draws surface water and floating debris into the filtration system.
Spa spillover
A raised spa that overflows into the pool, so the water runs down as a small waterfall.
Sun shelf (tanning ledge, Baja shelf)
A shallow platform inside a pool, with a few inches of water, for lounging or seating.
Survey (plat)
A drawing of a lot showing property lines, the house footprint, easements and sometimes utilities. PoolSketch can start from a photo or PDF of one.
Takeoff
A list of quantities measured from a plan, such as surface area, volume and linear feet, used to price and order materials.
Vinyl-liner pool
A pool with walls of panels or concrete and a flexible vinyl sheet lining the inside.
Waterline tile
A band of tile along the pool wall at the water level, easier to clean than plaster at that line.
More: all guides, PoolSketch features.
