Partially or completely above ground
Above Ground Fibreglass Pools
Sloping block, rock, tight access or a raised deck? A Compass pool can sit partly or completely above ground, on hillsides, platforms and sites other pools can’t reach, with the same colours, self-cleaning and warranty as an inground pool.
When Digging In Isn’t the Best Answer
Not every backyard is flat, soft and easy to reach. On a slope, on rock, over services, in a tight courtyard or next to a raised deck, digging a full-depth hole can mean retaining walls, rock breaking and engineering that cost more than the pool.
Compass solved that more than 20 years ago. With Maxi Rib technology, any Compass pool can stand partly or completely above ground without retaining walls or complex engineering. For the fastest above ground option, Express pools sit on a slab with no excavation at all.
You keep everything that makes a Compass pool: the Ceramic Core shell, Bi-Luminite and Vivid colours, Vantage self-cleaning and the Triple Warranty.
Partly Above Ground or Completely Above Ground
The same Compass pool, set at the height that suits your site.
Partially Above Ground (Partly Inground)
The high side of the pool is set into the ground and the low side stands above it on Maxi Rib. It is the natural fit for a sloping block: far less excavation, no retaining walls, and the raised side can become a feature wall, a seat or an infinity edge.
- Sloping and terraced blocks
- Matching the height of a deck or patio
- Rock close to the surface
- Infinity and raised edges with a view
Completely Above Ground
The whole pool stands above natural ground: on Maxi Rib with decking or cladding around it, or as a freestanding Express pool on a slab. It suits sites where digging isn’t possible or worth it, and raised outdoor areas.
- Rooftops, platforms and raised decks
- Rock, high groundwater or services below
- Steep sites where a cut would be costly
- Fast installs with an Express pool
Flat block with easy digging? See inground pools: still the most popular way to install a Compass pool.
How Maxi Rib Lets a Pool Stand Above Ground
A Compass innovation that brought full-size fibreglass pools to sites that once needed concrete.
- 1
Ribs Built Into the Shell
Structural ribs are added to the outside of the shell in the factory, giving the walls the strength to hold the water without soil around them.
- 2
Filled With Concrete on Site
The ribs are filled with concrete during installation, turning the pool into one solid structure that stands on its own.
- 3
No Retaining Walls
Because the pool supports itself, there is no need to build walls to hold back the ground or to dig a full-depth hole.
- 4
Finished Your Way
The raised walls can be clad in timber, composite, stone or render, wrapped in a deck, or opened up with an infinity edge or window.
Express Pools: Above Ground Without the Site Works
Express pools are flat-bottom Compass pools made for partly or fully above ground installation on a concrete slab, with no excavation. They are quick to deliver and set up, and they are a more durable alternative to shipping container pools.
- Full fibreglass: no steel to rust, no timber to rot
- Lighter to crane and transport
- All Compass colours and Vantage self-cleaning
- Same Ceramic Core and warranty
- Can be swimming on the day it arrives
- Ideal for decks, courtyards and rooftops
Above Ground and Partly Inground Projects
Real installations on slopes, rock, rooftops and raised decks by authorised Compass dealers.
Fastlane 20m (custom length) Pool and Sanctuary 8m Pool and SpaPacific, Yeppoon QLDSanctuary 8.2 PoolEvolution, Kobble Creek QLD
Sanctuary 7.0 PoolViridian, Dolphin Heads QLD
X-Trainer 9.4 PoolSapphire, Johns River NSWFastlane 10.3 Pool and SpaEvolution, Mornington Peninsula VIC
Fastlane 10.3 PoolGrey Marble, Port Macquarie NSW
Express Refresh Max 6.1 PoolRoyal Blue, VIC
Vogue 8.2 PoolEvolution, Harcourt Valley VIC
Fastlane 10.3 Pool and X-Trainer SpaPearl, Macedon Ranges VICRaised Edges, Infinity Edges and Windows
Raising a pool is not only a solution for a difficult site. It opens up designs an inground pool can’t have: an infinity edge that disappears into the view, a raised wall to sit on, or an acrylic window into the water.
The shell is made with the infinity edge built in, and Maxi Rib gives it the support to stand above ground, so a fibreglass infinity pool is a realistic option where only concrete used to be.
Planning an Above Ground Pool
The things your dealer looks at to recommend partly or fully above ground, and what affects the price.
How Steep the Site Is
The fall across the pool decides how much of it sits above ground on the low side, and whether a partly inground installation avoids a costly cut.
What’s Under the Ground
Rock, high groundwater, fill and services can make excavation slow and expensive. Going above ground avoids most of it.
Footings and Structure
A Maxi Rib pool needs the right footings, and a rooftop or raised platform needs engineering for the weight of the water. Your dealer coordinates it.
Finishing the Walls
Decking, cladding, stone or render around the raised sides is part of the design and the budget. Many owners use the walls as seating or planters.
Approvals and Fencing
Above ground pools need approval and a compliant barrier like any pool. A raised wall can count towards the barrier in some cases; your dealer explains the local rules.
The Total Cost
Maxi Rib usually adds to the pool price, but on a difficult site it is typically far less than the earthworks and retaining an inground pool would need.
The Same Compass Pool, Whatever the Height
Above ground or inground, every Compass pool has the same technology and quality.
Vantage self-cleaning
In-floor jets push debris to one canister. No vacuuming, no robotic cleaner, fewer chemicals and no cold spots.
Discover VantageTriple Warranty
Structural, cosmetic and hydrostatic cover in one package, transferable to new owners for up to 25 years.
See the Triple WarrantyCeramic Core
A proprietary structural layer of vinyl ester resin and ceramic microspheres. Standard in every Compass pool.
About Ceramic CoreHydroPro™ valve
Our patented valve releases groundwater pressure five times faster than the standard industry valve.
About HydroProBi-Luminite colours
Nine exclusive colours built from two colour layers and large reflective chips for real 3D depth.
See Bi-LuminiteMaxi Rib technology
External structural ribs let a full-size pool stand partly or fully above ground on slopes, rooftops and tight sites.
See Maxi RibCustomisations
Spas, waders, beach zones, Sunpods, infinity edges and lighting, built into the shell at the factory.
See the optionsAbove Ground Pool Questions, Answered
What to know before deciding whether to go partly or fully above ground.
What is the difference between a partially and a completely above ground pool?
A partially above ground (partly inground) pool is set into the ground on the high side and stands above it on the low side, which suits sloping blocks. A completely above ground pool stands entirely above natural ground, on Maxi Rib with decking or cladding around it, or as a freestanding Express pool on a slab.
Can any Compass pool be installed above ground?
Yes. Any Compass model and size can be made with Maxi Rib for partly or fully above ground installation, so you do not have to compromise on shape, size or features. Express pools are a separate range designed for fast installation on a slab.
How much more does an above ground Compass pool cost?
Maxi Rib typically adds about $12,000 to $25,000 to a standard installation, depending on the site. On a sloping or rocky block that is usually much less than the excavation, rock breaking and retaining walls an inground pool would need. Your dealer gives you a site-specific price after a free site visit.
Do I need retaining walls for a pool on a slope?
Usually not with Maxi Rib. The ribs on the outside of the shell are filled with concrete on site, so the pool stands on its own and the raised side does not need a retaining wall to support it.
Do above ground Compass pools have the same features and warranty?
Yes. They have the same Ceramic Core shell, Bi-Luminite and Vivid colours, Vantage self-cleaning option and Triple Warranty as an inground Compass pool.
How are the raised walls of an above ground pool finished?
Most owners wrap the raised sides in decking or clad them in timber, composite, stone or render, and many use the walls as seating or planters. The raised side can also become an infinity edge or have an acrylic window. Your dealer helps you plan the finish with the pool.
Not Sure How High Your Pool Should Sit?
A free site visit is the quickest way to know. Your local dealer will look at the slope, ground and access and tell you exactly what is possible and what it costs.
Book a Free Site Visit
Sloping block, rock or a raised deck? A local Compass dealer will assess your site for free, with no obligation, and show you how a pool can work there.
- Free, no-obligation site assessment
- Authorised local dealer visits your home
- Partly or fully above ground explained for your site
- Site-specific cost estimate
Get a Pool Quote
Accurate pricing with a site inspection, or a ballpark range to start.
Get a Pool QuoteBook a Free Site Visit
Your local dealer visits, measures your space and brings real colour samples.
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