Container Pool : The trend of repurposing shipping containers into stunning, functional swimming pools has captured the imagination of homeowners, architects, and designers worldwide. This brilliant fusion of industrial grit and backyard luxury represents a significant step forward in sustainable, innovative design. These robust Corten steel boxes are transformed into bespoke oases, offering an eco-friendly and stylish alternative to conventional pool construction. But what truly turns a steel box into a personal paradise is the shipping container pool interior.
The interior finish is where functionality meets personality. It dictates the pool’s feel, its durability, and its visual appeal. Choosing the right materials is arguably the most critical decision you’ll make after deciding on the container pool itself. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from essential preparation and the most popular liner materials to the decorative touches that will make your container pool uniquely yours.
Why the Interior of Your Shipping container Pool Matters So Much
Before we dive into the specific materials, it’s essential to understand why this choice is so pivotal. The interior finish of your container pool is a three-part equation, balancing durability, aesthetics, and maintenance.
- Durability and Longevity: The primary job of the interior lining is to create an impermeable, watertight barrier. It must withstand constant water pressure, chemical treatments (like chlorine and salt), and fluctuating temperatures. A high-quality interior protects the structural integrity of the steel container, preventing rust and corrosion from the inside out.
- Aesthetics and Ambiance: The color, texture, and finish of your container pool’s interior define its entire character. Do you want a deep, lagoon-like blue? A bright, reflective turquoise that sparkles in the sun? Or a sleek, modern dark finish that creates a mirror-like surface? The interior material is your canvas.
- Feel and Comfort: The material underfoot and against your skin impacts the swimming experience. Some materials offer a smooth, silky finish, while others might provide a more textured, natural feel.
- Maintenance: Different materials have vastly different maintenance requirements. Some are virtually stain-proof and algae-resistant, while others may require more frequent brushing and chemical monitoring.
Part 1: Essential Prep Work for a Flawless Shipping Container Pool Interior
You can’t apply a beautiful finish to a poorly prepared surface. Before any liner or coating is installed, the container’s interior must be meticulously prepped. This stage is non-negotiable for ensuring the longevity and performance of your container pool.
Structural Modifications and Integrity Checks
First, the container itself undergoes modifications. Openings for skimmers, return jets, drains, and lights are precision-cut. Any structural reinforcements, such as adding steel beams for extra rigidity, are completed. All welds must be ground smooth to create a seamless surface, preventing any sharp edges that could damage a liner.
Sandblasting and Priming
To ensure perfect adhesion for the chosen interior finish, the original paint and any surface rust inside the container must be completely removed. This is typically done through sandblasting, which profiles the steel, creating an ideal surface for primers and coatings to grip onto. After sandblasting, a high-performance, corrosion-inhibiting primer is applied. This is the first line of defense against rust. Often, a multi-part epoxy primer is used for its superior adhesion and water-blocking properties.
Insulation: The Unseen Hero
While not a decorative finish, insulation is a critical component of the interior system, especially in climates with significant temperature swings. Spray foam insulation is often applied to the interior walls before the final liner is installed.
- Temperature Regulation: Insulation helps maintain the water temperature, reducing the energy required to heat the pool and keeping it comfortable for longer.
- Condensation Prevention: It prevents condensation from forming on the steel walls, which can be a hidden source of corrosion over time.
For an in-depth look at the benefits of closed-cell spray foam in demanding environments, resources from the Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance (SPFA) provide excellent technical information.
Part 2: A Deep Dive into Shipping Container Pool Liner Materials
With the container prepped, it’s time to choose the main interior finish. Each option offers a unique blend of cost, durability, and aesthetics.
1. Vinyl Liners
A vinyl liner is a custom-manufactured, flexible sheet of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) that is fitted to the exact dimensions of the pool interior. It’s a very common choice for above-ground and in-ground pools, and it adapts well to container pools.
- Aesthetics: Vinyl liners offer the widest variety of colors and patterns. From simple solid blues to intricate tile-like patterns and pebble textures, the customization options are nearly endless.
- Pros:
- Cost-Effective: Generally the most budget-friendly option upfront.
- Smooth Surface: The non-porous surface is soft to the touch and resistant to algae growth.
- Quick Installation: A professionally measured liner can be installed relatively quickly.
- Customizable: Easily made to fit any shape, including steps and benches.
- Cons:
- Durability: Less durable than other options. It can be punctured by sharp objects (though modern liners are quite tough).
- Lifespan: Typically needs to be replaced every 7-12 years.
- Fading: Can fade over time due to UV exposure and chemical use.
- Best For: Pool owners on a tighter initial budget who want a wide range of aesthetic choices and a smooth, comfortable surface.
2. Fiberglass Inserts (Drop-In Shells)
This option involves manufacturing a rigid, pre-formed fiberglass shell that is crafted to the exact dimensions of the shipping container. The entire shell is then lowered into the container and sealed into place.
- Aesthetics: Fiberglass shells have a sleek, clean, and often shimmering appearance thanks to the gel coat finish. Colors are typically limited to various shades of blue, grey, and white, but the finish is exceptionally smooth and high-end.
- Pros:
- Extreme Durability: Highly resistant to punctures, scratches, and stains.
- Low Maintenance: The non-porous gel coat surface is incredibly resistant to algae and very easy to clean.
- Long Lifespan: Can last for 20-30 years or more with proper care.
- Quick Installation: Once the shell is made, the on-site installation is very fast.
- Cons:
- Higher Cost: Significantly more expensive upfront than a vinyl liner.
- Limited Customization: You are limited to the molds available, and surface patterns are not an option.
- Transportation & Logistics: Requires careful transportation and a crane to install.
- Best For: Homeowners prioritizing longevity, low maintenance, and a premium, seamless finish, and who have the budget for a larger upfront investment.
3. Sprayed Concrete (Shotcrete or Gunite)
For the ultimate in durability and design freedom, the interior of the container can be lined with concrete. A framework of rebar is constructed inside the container, and then a concrete mixture is pneumatically sprayed onto the surface. This is the same method used for high-end, custom in-ground pools.
- Aesthetics: The concrete itself is just the shell. The final look is determined by the surface finish applied over it, which can be plaster (marcite), exposed aggregate (like PebbleTec), or all-tile. This offers limitless design potential.
- Pros:
- Unmatched Durability: Essentially creates a concrete pool inside a steel shell. It is structurally massive and incredibly long-lasting.
- Infinite Design Freedom: Can be formed into any shape, allowing for integrated benches, steps, sun ledges, and caves. The surface finish options are limitless.
- Cons:
- Very Expensive: This is typically the most expensive and labor-intensive option.
- Complex Installation: Requires specialized, experienced contractors.
- Longer Install Time: The process of framing, spraying, and curing takes significantly longer.
- Rougher Surface: Plaster and aggregate finishes are more porous and rougher than vinyl or fiberglass, requiring more brushing to prevent algae.
- Best For: Those seeking a permanent, high-end, custom-designed pool with a natural, lagoon-style feel and for whom budget is not the primary concern.
4. High-Performance Sprayed Coatings (Polyurea and Epoxy)
This category represents a modern, industrial-strength solution that is perfectly suited to the steel nature of a container pool. Instead of a “liner,” this is a thick, durable membrane that is sprayed directly onto the primed steel interior.
- Polyurea Coatings: This is the star of the show for direct-to-steel applications. Polyurea is a type of elastomer known for its incredible strength, flexibility, and waterproofing capabilities. It’s the same material used for truck bed liners, tank lining, and industrial roofing. It’s sprayed on hot and cures in seconds, creating a seamless, tough, and waterproof membrane.
- Epoxy Pool Paint: This is a two-part paint that creates a hard, durable, non-porous shell. It’s less flexible than polyurea but still offers excellent waterproofing and a smooth, ceramic-like finish.
- Aesthetics: Both come in a variety of standard colors (blues, greys, black, white). The finish is uniform, seamless, and can range from matte to high-gloss.
- Pros:
- Seamless and Watertight: Creates a monolithic membrane with no seams to fail or leak.
- Excellent Adhesion: Bonds directly and tenaciously to the primed steel surface.
- Durable: Highly resistant to chemicals and abrasion. Polyurea, in particular, has exceptional flexibility to handle any minor flex in the container walls.
- Cons:
- Professional Application Required: These are not DIY products. They require specialized equipment and expertise for proper surface prep and application.
- Can Be Slippery: Smooth finishes can be slippery; adding a grit additive to the topcoat for steps and benches is recommended.
- Best For: Pool owners looking for a modern, industrial-chic aesthetic who value a seamless, incredibly durable, and long-lasting finish that is bonded directly to the pool structure.
5. Tile
For the absolute pinnacle of luxury and design, a shipping container pool can be fully tiled. This is typically done over a concrete (shotcrete) shell. The tile itself becomes the decorative and functional surface.
- Aesthetics: The sky is the limit. From classic ceramic and porcelain to iridescent glass mosaics that shimmer and change color in the light, tile offers unparalleled beauty. You can create intricate patterns, murals, and gradients. A popular design is to use a standard tile for the main body and a more decorative mosaic for the waterline.
- Pros:
- Ultimate in Beauty: Offers the most luxurious and customizable aesthetic.
- Extremely Durable Surface: Glazed tile is impervious to chemicals and UV rays, and it will not fade.
- Easy to Clean: The smooth, hard surface is easy to maintain.
- Cons:
- Highest Cost: The combination of materials (concrete shell) and intensive skilled labor makes this the most expensive option by a significant margin.
- Lengthy Installation: Tiling is a meticulous and time-consuming process.
- Grout Maintenance: Grout lines can sometimes stain or require re-grouting over many years.
- Best For: The homeowner who wants a truly bespoke, luxurious swimming pool where the interior is a work of art and the budget can accommodate the premium cost. For inspiration, platforms like Pinterest are filled with stunning examples of tiled pools.
Part 3: Decorative & Functional Interior Enhancements
Beyond the main surface, you can add features inside your pool to elevate both its look and usability.
- Integrated Lighting: Modern LED lighting can transform your pool at night. Choose from simple white lights or color-changing systems that can be programmed to create different moods.
- Benches and Sun Ledges: A built-in bench or a wide, shallow “sun ledge” (also called a Baja shelf) provides a perfect spot for lounging in the water. These must be planned before the liner is fabricated.
- Water Features: Laminar jets can shoot elegant, glass-like arcs of water into the pool, while a small waterfall feature can be built into one end for soothing sounds and visual appeal.
- Swim Jets: For fitness enthusiasts with a smaller 20-foot container pool, a powerful swim jet system can be installed to create a constant current to swim against, turning your pool into a lap pool.
The svoltex Advantage: A Foundation of Quality
Starting with a high-quality container pool is the key to a successful interior project. At svoltex, our pools are built with precision and prepped to the highest standards. We use only top-grade Corten steel, ensure all welds are perfectly smooth, and apply robust anti-corrosion primers, creating the ideal canvas for whatever interior finish you choose. Our engineering ensures the structure is ready for everything from a simple vinyl liner to a full concrete and tile installation.
Conclusion: Crafting Your Perfect Backyard Oasis
The interior of your shipping container pool is where your vision truly comes to life. Your choice of material—whether it’s the versatile and budget-friendly vinyl, the durable and low-maintenance fiberglass, the robust and seamless polyurea, or the luxurious and timeless tile—will define your daily swimming experience.
Consider your budget, your desired aesthetic, and your long-term maintenance goals. By understanding the pros and cons of each option and starting with a well-prepared, high-quality container, you can design an interior that is not only beautiful and inviting but also built to provide years of worry-free enjoyment. Your perfect backyard oasis awaits.
