Hydrofloors by Twinscape FAQs

At what stage of the project do you need to be involved?

We normally get involved at the planning stage. This is vital when it comes to brainstorming and developing creative solutions for the individual needs and requirements of the client. Amazing new products emerge from this collaboration between clients, Aqua Platinum and the Twinscape team for example, the movable flowerbeds and disappearing massage benches.

We rethink the use of space so the architect and designer can present a broader, totally unique concept to their clients.

In some projects, our involvement comes 18 months before the building commences and sometimes it is as little as four months prior to installation.

Can I have a sun lounge area in the movable floor?

Yes, at Twinscape we have installed many different versions and sizes of sun lounge areas in combination with a movable floor. This area could be a simple step-in bench, a lounge bench or a defined part of the pool surface to enjoy the sun while enjoying the sun. This sun lounge area can lift back up, in the same way as a movable floor, to close the pool and be used as the terrace.

Can I have any finish I want?

Yes, but we recommend non-porous and waterproof finishes to minimise maintenance and the need for replacement.

Can I have steps in the movable floor?

Yes, most of our Twinscape customers choose to have steps integrated in the movable floor for easy access in and out of the swimming pool. We have a wide range of shapes and sizes (e.g. corner steps, steps over the whole width, round steps, within the pool shape or outside of the pool shape).

Can it be stopped at any height?

Yes, we can pre-program as many different depths as the customer chooses from his control panel or touch screen. The floor can also be manually stopped at any depth.

Most clients choose three or four levels for varied uses. These range from a shallow depth for children, to using the pool for a game of water volleyball or water aerobics, as well as normal swimming.

Can the disappearing fence be fitted anywhere into any terrain?

Yes, as long as there is enough space below to retract the fence into the ground.

Can the floor be raised with someone in the pool?

Yes it could.  For the safety of the bathers, we insist that the floor and pool be vacated while raising or lowering the system.  This is why the controls need to be located in direct line of sight of the pool (to prevent children from using the floor as a toy, the controls are protected with a key or a passcode).

For clients with mobility difficulties and in particular requiring assistance with getting in and out of the swimming pool, the floor can be used to lift the person in or out of the pool.  It is important that this is performed under controlled conditions and with the supervision another person outside of the swimming pool.

Can the swimming pool be any size and depth you want?

Yes. Twinscape can construct a Hydrofloor system for any shape, size or depth of pool.  The only requirement is that the walls must be perfectly vertical. The pool needs to be 700 mm/ 28” deeper then the required swimming depth. If steps are integrated in the movable floor, the pool needs to be 900 mm / 36” deeper. So if you want to swim in 1.4m (55”) the pool needs to be 2.1m (83”) or 2.3m (90”) deep.

Can you have a Hydrofloors in a pool that has a shallower spa incorporated into the design?

Absolutely. The pool and spa would require separate systems in order to provide for the differing depths of water and the benches in the spa. If it is a separate spa, we design a movable floor for the spa itself.

Can you have a submersible wall built into an existing swimming pool?

Anything is possible. However, an existing pool will require substantial demolition and reconstruction in order to provide space for the mechanical systems and retracting structure. If a pool is 1.5m (5ft) deep, the submersible wall of 1.5m (5ft) height needs to submerse in a pit in the pool floor. This pit needs to be as deep as the height of the submersible wall, plus 0.3m (1ft). So, we need a pit of 1.8m (6ft) deep in the pool floor. The width needs to be 1m (40”).

Can you install a Hydrofloors movable floor in an existing swimming pool?

They can be installed into existing pools.  However, the walls must be perfectly vertical and the floor will need to be removed and deepened. To provide the space for our moving floor and the mechanical components beneath the floor, we require 700mm/ 28” to 900mm/36″ of additional depth.  So, if you want to swim in 1.4m (55”) the pool needs to be 2.1m (83”) or 2.3m (90”) deep.  It is sometimes more cost effective to build a new swimming pool.

Can you plant a movable flower bed with anything?

No, the depth of the roots is limited. Deep rooted or fast spreading roots species and heavy trees should be avoided. We have found that shallow rooted, slow growing plants are the most suitable. Plants that have compact roots such as lavender, box hedge and the smaller varieties of azaleas and rhododendrons work well. We will work in conjunction with your landscape architect or designer for advice on plant and soil selection to provide the best environment for plants to thrive. If you would like the flowerbed to disappear when the pool is in use, then the plants will need to be short in order to clear the terrace.

Could someone be sitting on the swimming pool floor while it lowered?

Technically, someone could sit on the floor while it’s lowered.  There are videos on YouTube of many people on one of our floors as it submerges. However, to protect the bathers and our mechanical systems, we recommend against this practice, except when it is a single person with disabilities.

Do the floors use cables that would be on view on the side of the pool and could be a hazard?

No, as this would be very dangerous. The last thing you want are cables mounted in the pool when it is being used. All of our cables and drive systems are under the floor out of view, meaning there is no chance of anyone getting hurt or trapped by them.

Do you also build the pool and is the swimming pool included in your movable pool floor system?

No. Twinscape is a company that specialises in the design, manufacturing and installation of movable structures. We work in close collaboration with the world’s leading architects and pool construction companies.  If needed, we can introduce you to the best swimming pool specialist in your area.

Do you work only in UK and USA?

No. We work around the world. We currently have projects in Australia, UK, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Jersey, Lichtenstein, Gibraltar, Switzerland, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore and the US. We can work anywhere and usually work in conjunction with local partners. We currently have offices in the UK and US, with future offices planned worldwide as demand dictates.

Does having a movable floor mean that the swimming pool does not need a cover as well?

The floor acts as the most secure and best insulating cover in the world.  It locks in the heat and reduces the condensation in the room (indoor pools). Besides providing absolute safety, it reduces evaporation, chemical expenses and the cost of heating the water.

Does it need a lot of maintenance?

Not at all. We recommend that it is serviced once a year.

How long does it take for the floor to go up or down?

This depends on the swimming depth, but for a 1.5 m / 5’ deep pool it takes approximately eight minutes.

How long does it take to install?

The installation takes approximately a week, depending on the size and complication of the movable floor.

How many drive systems operate the movable floor?

Rather than several drive sytems that need synchronising, our floor uses one simple but reliable hydraulic system. Twinscape do not use oil as the hydraulic fluid, but a combination of water with an eco friendly glycol. So, in the event of a leak, there is no risk for swimmers or pollution of equipment.

How strong is the floor when in upper height? Can I have a party on it and what is the weight restriction?

The standard load capacity is 250 kg/m2 (51 Lbs/ft2).

As an example, if you have a pool of 5 x 10 m (16’ x 32’) you can have a party with 155 people standing very close to each other on the movable floor. On request we design and manufacture our systems for even higher load demands.

If I install a Hydrofloors movable floor, will there be any electrical components in the swimming pool?

There are no electrical components inside the swimming pool, as our system is driven by hydraulics. Our hydraulic pump unit its normally located in the plant room where the swimming pool filter and circulation pump are normally installed. This needs a 230 volt, single phase, 20-25 amps power supply. It only consumes 1.5 kw / hour electricity, so during its eight minutes of operation it only uses 200 watts.

If the floor broke down in the lower position, how would you gain access under the floor to repair it?

Our floor is naturally buoyant, meaning it wants to float up. This means that in the rare event of a problem, we can allow the floor to float to its upper position, even without the hydraulic drive system working. This would allow us to dive underneath the floor to inspect and repair any issue. Other manufacturer’s systems fall when they fail.  It would be very expensive to drain the pool and hire a heavy lift crane (if feasible) to try to lift the floor.  With our Hydrofloors “fail-safe” (up position) design, in the rare event of a system failure this would not be necessary.

Is the disappearing cover as strong as the movable floor option?

Yes it has the same load capcity and the same option to increase this if necessary.

Is there any chance of entrapment between the moving pool floor and the finished floor?

No, as we only have a 8mm (0.3”) gap all around our floor. This 8 mm (0.3”) gap is at any level and it does not change when the floor is lowered down, so there is no chance of entrapment.

A 8mm (0.3”) gap is the maximum opening under water set by most of the pool trade organisations and governements, for swimming pools, world wide)

We also have no single openings in the top surface of our movable floor.

What does a Hydrofloors movable floor cost?

This depends on a lot of factors such as size, options, shape and location.   Since each floor is custom made and unique, we will gladly provide a no-obligation quotation. There is no “standard size” as each project is custom manufactured to the client’s individual specification.  Please contact Twinscape at info@twinscapegroup.com for a quotation.

What sort of finishing can I use on top of the moving floor?

You can finish the floor in any stone or material you desire, but we recommend using water resistant finishes. Many people choose finishes that are the suitable for both the pool and surrounding deck or room, so that the pool disappears when closed.  Careful planning and alignment of patterns and joints will make the pool disappear into the surrounding floor.

Where are the mechanical systems installed?

Wherever you desire, but normally beside the pool filtration and pumping equipment. The control panel is usually placed where it is convenient and provides a direct line of sight of the pool. Some clients place the controls in a locked closet or enclosure.

Our hydraulic unit is needs a floor space of 70 x 70 cm (27”x27”) and is 1.5 m (60”) high.

Where does the rolling floor go?

The rolling floor, or disappearing cover as we call it, rolls back under the terrace or room floor to reveal the swimming pool beneath.

Where does the water go?

The water stays in the pool. When the floor is going down, it displaces the water through a 8mm gap between the pool wall and our movable floor