Direct Answer: Yes, we can build ANY shape with ICF. From kidney beans to perfect circles, radius forms allow us to create flowing curves that rival gunite, while keeping the R-22 insulation performance.
This is part of our Complete Guide to ICF Swimming Pools.
For years, fiberglass pool salesmen have told homeowners: "ICF is great, but it's just big Lego blocks. You can only build a square."
That is completely false.
Modern ICF systems like Element ICF (which we distribute and install) manufacture factory-radius blocks. These interlock with straight blocks, allowing us to design:
* Fluid, organic curves.
* Tight radius corners (instead of 90-degree angles).
* Complete circles (perfect for spas).
Top 3 Design Features We Build
1. The Infinity (Vanishing) Edge
Nothing says "luxury" like water disappearing into the horizon.
Standard concrete infinity edges are prone to leaking at the "cold joint" where the wall meets the floor.
The ICF Advantage:
We pour the entire basin and weir wall at once. The monolithic pour combined with the foam protection means the wall is virtually leak-proof. The insulation helps prevent the thin weir wall from freezing and cracking in winter.
2. The Integrated Spa
Why buy a separate fiberglass hot tub when you can cast a custom concrete spa right into your pool deck?
With ICF radius forms, we build a 7-foot circular spa that spills over into the main pool.
* The Benefit: Because the spa is insulated to R-22, it holds 102°F heat incredibly well.
* The Look: We face it with stone or glass tile for a seamless, high-end finish.
3. Tanning Ledges (Sun Shelves)
The most requested feature in 2026. A shallow area (9-12 inches deep) for lounge chairs.
We form these by stacking high-density foam or pouring a "bench" of concrete inside the ICF shell.
* Pro Tip: We often run pex tubing in the tanning ledge to make it a radiant-heated surface. It's like lying on a warm stone.
Read More: See our Cost Breakdown for these features.
Can I Use Tile? Or Do I Need a Liner?
In Massachusetts, 80% of our pools use vinyl liners. Why? Because liners are soft, durable enough for our winters, and easy to replace.
However, if you want that "Vegas Resort" look with glass tile or pebble finish:
* Yes, we can do it.
* We use a waterproofing membrane (like Laticrete Hydro Ban) directly over the ICF foam.
* Then we apply a scratch coat and your tile/plaster finish.
Note:* Before doing full tile in New England, ask us about the maintenance. Tile grout lines can pop in freeze/thaw cycles if you lower the water level too much in winter.
Designing for "The View"
Many of our clients in Plymouth and Cape Cod are building on slopes to catch the ocean view.
ICF is structurally engineered to be a retaining wall.
This means we can build a pool that is "out of the ground" on one side (sticking up 4-5 feet) and buried on the other. A gunite pool would need massive extra engineering to do this. An ICF pool is born to do this.
Design Your Dream: Contact our design team to sketch out your custom shape.
