Vanishing-edge signature work for lots with a view worth framing, our most dramatic statement, engineered for Arizona slopes, wind and sun.
An infinity edge lowers one wall of the pool so water slips over it into a hidden basin below. From the right vantage point, the pool appears to run straight into the view.
That illusion depends on geometry. We find the spot where you will most often see the pool, usually the living room, a covered patio or a seat at the outdoor kitchen, and set the height and line of the edge from there. Move that vantage point a few feet and the effect changes, so it gets decided early.
Behind the edge sits the working part: a catch basin sized for the water that spills over plus the surge when people get in. A dedicated pump returns water to the pool, and an automatic fill keeps the level steady as desert air pulls water away. Done well, you only ever notice the edge.
Hillside lots in Paradise Valley, Fountain Hills, Cave Creek and north Scottsdale are the classic setting, but a slope is not always required. A raised edge facing open desert or a mountain line can deliver a similar effect on a flatter lot. Our guide to infinity edges on hillside lots goes deeper.
One wall faces the view and spills into a basin below, the classic choice when the view runs in one direction.
Two adjoining walls disappear, which suits the corner of a hillside lot with views across two sides.
Water spills over every edge into a surrounding grate, so the surface sits flush with the deck like a mirror.
Tile, stone or a finish that matches the pool. Tile reads crisp and cleans easily where water flows constantly.
Tucked below a slope, hidden behind planting, or finished as a narrow reflecting channel you are meant to see.
Lights in the pool and along the spill wall make the edge glow after sunset, when the yard gets the most use.
Have a view lot? Send us a photo from the back door, and we will tell you how an edge would read.
Book a Design Call or price it yourself in the Dream CenterA vanishing edge exposes more moving water to sun, wind and dust than any other pool type. Design for that and it stays effortless.
Water flowing over an edge loses more to dry desert air than a still surface. An automatic fill tops up the basin, and running the edge on a schedule keeps water use in check.
Strong monsoon winds can push water over the edge and blow dust into the basin. Basin sizing and a post-storm clean-out keep it running. See our monsoon checklist.
Hillside pools often need deeper footings, engineered walls and careful drainage. Some towns review hillside work closely, including Paradise Valley and the sensitive desert areas of Scottsdale.
Constant flow and evaporation leave calcium on the edge faster than on a still pool. Smooth tile, steady chemistry and regular brushing keep it clean.
View all 83 photos
The Desert Escape shows the same thinking without a vanishing edge. A long rectangular pool is lined up dead center with the Superstition skyline, and stacked-stone sheer descents carry the sound of moving water. The view set the plan first, as it does on every edge we design.
At the site visit we stand where you will look from and check the view, the slope and equipment access.
Your 3D design shows the edge from that vantage point, so you see the effect before construction starts.
Grade, soil and wall loads go to structural engineering while permits are filed, typically two to four weeks.
The spill edge is set dead level, because even a slight tilt shows as uneven flow across the wall.
No, though a slope makes the effect easiest. On flatter lots we can raise the edge to face open space or use a perimeter overflow so the water sits flush with the deck. What matters is a view worth framing and a vantage point that lines up with it.
It adds structure: the spill wall, the catch basin, extra plumbing, a dedicated pump and, on hillsides, engineered walls. The amount depends on edge length and site conditions, so we price it specifically after the site visit.
It asks a little more than a standard pool. The basin needs occasional cleaning, the spill wall needs brushing to keep calcium off, and chemistry matters more because the water is always moving. Automation and our maintenance service handle most of it.
Yes. Moving water evaporates faster, especially in summer heat and wind. Running the edge on a schedule rather than around the clock, and pausing it during monsoon wind, keeps water use reasonable while the automatic fill holds the level.
Occasionally, if the pool faces the view and the site allows a catch basin. It is a major structural change, so we evaluate the shell, grade and plumbing on site before recommending it.
Vanishing edges suit the hillside and view lots around Paradise Valley, Fountain Hills, Cave Creek and north Scottsdale, along with foothill neighborhoods in Phoenix and Mesa.
Clean-lined pools that pair naturally with a vanishing or perimeter edge.
Explore
Sheer descents and fire bowls that add motion and flame at the edge.
Explore
Pentair automation to schedule the edge pump, lighting and heat.
ExploreTell us what you want to build, your budget and timing, then pick a time for a free 30-minute call with our design manager.