How can you hide your pool from the view of neighbours?
What a pleasure it is to have a pool, but when you do not live in an isolated place, the pleasure can be spoiled by the presence of your neighbours. How can you reduce the view over your pool? Can you find an attractive and effective way to protect your privacy? Let's take a look at the possibilities available to hide your pool.
Outdoor installations: what is authorised?
You're probably one of the many people thinking about and looking for a solution for equipping their outdoor spaces so you can enjoy being outside without suffering from the heat. The pergola, in the widest sense of the term, is designed to add shade to an outdoor space (like a terrace) and has become increasingly popular in French gardens. There are two types of product on the market today that compete fiercely with each other: the "traditional" pergola and the "bioclimatic" pergola.
Before seeking solutions to protect you from prying eyes, you should first inform yourself of what is possible in your town in order to respect current legislation.
To do so, start by consulting the town planning code (Plan Local d’Urbanisme). Indeed, each municipality can set specific rules for outdoor installations, in particular with respect to materials or height. If you live on a housing estate, you should also check the internal regulations, if they exist.
Hiding a pool with a 2-metre high privacy screen
The privacy screen – the name says it all. This type of installation, which comes in a variety of forms, enables you to hide your pool from view. A screen of 2 metres in height will protect your privacy.
Climbing plants or a plant wall
The first solution: install plants to hide the pool from prying eyes while creating an environment inspired by nature. Install a fence around your pool and grow climbing plants on it. This is the most aesthetic solution but also one of the most demanding because it will require a little maintenance.
Wooden panels
Wooden panels are a good compromise between natural aesthetics and reduced maintenance. Both durable and economical, they enable you to install a palisade around your pool and also create a barrier against the wind.
The aluminium privacy screen
Aluminium fencing offers numerous advantages: it does not require any maintenance and is highly durable. It also protects against the wind and adapts very well to a more contemporary style.
A hedge
A very simple solution is to plant a hedge around your pool. For example, you can choose to plant thuja, laurel or bamboo. The disadvantage: the pool will not be as well protected from the wind and you will have to care for the bushes. You will also have to wait for the hedge to grow for it to really hide the pool.
The stone wall
Another highly durable, but costly, solution to hide a pool is the stone wall. This idea is particularly worthwhile to stay in the same style if stone is already predominant in the surroundings.
Reed screens
If you already have a fence around your pool but it does not keep you out of view, the easiest way to obtain a little more privacy is to unroll a reed screen. In addition, this economical solution has the advantage of being very easy to install to complete an existing installation with a privacy screen.
What to do if you are overlooked from above?
A privacy screen can be very effective, but not in every situation! What should you do if you are overlooked from above, in particular if your pool is located near a block of flats?
A shade sail
A shade sail can be placed above part of the pool or to one side. It will protect you from prying eyes, but will also be wind-resistant and provide a barrier against UV rays. This is the easiest solution to solve the problem of being overlooked from above.
A pergola
Installing a pergola does not block the view of the pool, but remains a solution to create a more intimate poolside relaxation area, which will help to hide the view from above.
A pool enclosure
A full-height pool enclosure is also a possibility to hide a pool. By covering the entire pool, it will enable you to enjoy year-round bathing. With a wooden or aluminium structure, it will complement the aesthetic appearance of your home.
Anticipate the overlook
The ideal way to reduce overlook is to anticipate it! Even before starting construction, you can study the terrain and the exact location of your future pool, trying to imagine how your neighbours may see your pool.
Depending on your plot, you may not be able to move the project and completely prevent this overlook, but you can at least consider different solutions to create a private space from the outset.
The are numerous possibilities to protect yourself from your neighbours' view when you use your pool and each situation will thus find its solution. To avoid excessively closing the pool, try to install protections on one or two sides only and at several metres distance. Lastly, respect the regulations that apply to your place of residence to avoid any conflict with your neighbours or municipality.
