Types of Pool Windows: Glass vs Acrylic, Infinity Edge & Frameless Finish (Which Is Best for Your Location?)

If you’re designing a luxury pool — whether it’s for your backyard, a boutique hotel, or a rooftop infinity pool — you could easily make it extra glamorous with well-placed pool windows.

But it’s important to have the right type of pool windows to ensure great visual output and longevity.

While working with several clients in the past decade, I can vouch that pool windows are the best attraction of luxury pools, and the material really matters, depending on where the pool window is placed.

So, if you are planning your next luxury pool, then you will find this guide useful to learn about the 4 main types of pool windows. And I will try to explain the following:

• Which type of pool window is best for your climate and local conditions
• Cost differences and installation tips.
• Where to find reliable local suppliers and installers.

(P.S.: If you’re in places like Los Angeles, Dubai, Sydney, or Singapore, the material and design you choose will impact longevity and maintenance costs!)

So let’s dive in.

TL;DR: Types Of Pool Windows At A Glance (And Why It Pays To Plan With Experts)

• Acrylic pool windows are lightweight, customizable, and perfect for curved or long spans. Great for warm or humid climates.
• Glass pool windows are scratch-resistant, classic look, ideal for cooler climates or flat panels.
• Infinity edge windows come with dramatic designs where water spills over a windowed edge. Best used on elevated pools or scenic sites.
• Frameless pool windows provide an ultra-modern, seamless view, with hidden supports. Often used in rooftop spas or boutique designs.
• To choose the right material for pool windows, it’s best to consult with experts (such as Hammerhead Pools for assistance.)
• Climate, building codes, and structural loads matter more than people think.

What Are Pool Windows, Really?

Pool windows are transparent sections (glass or acrylic) built into the walls or floors of pools to allow viewing into or out of the water.

To be more specific, it’s a load-bearing, engineered panel — most often acrylic or laminated glass.

Here’s a quick article to learn about this in detail, in case you want to learn:
Read: What Are Pool Windows?

Over the years, I’ve helped design pool windows

• Wrapping around rooftop corners
• Embedded into living room walls
• As part of infinity edges dropping into the ocean
  
  

And what they all have in common is they transform the pool from a hole in the ground into a living sculpture — and make people say “Wow.”

You will be surprised how amazing pictures come out on pools that have beautifully placed pool windows.

Two Main Types Of Pool Window Materials

In most pools, you will find one of these two types of pool windows:

1. Acrylic Pool Windows
2. Glass Pool Windows

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Let us look into more details.

1. Acrylic Pool Windows: Lightweight, Versatile & Popular

In most modern pools, you will find acrylic as the choice of material, even for pool windows.

Facts About Acrylic Pool Windows

• Clearer views: Transmits up to 92% of visible light
• Impact resistant: Roughly 17x stronger than glass
• Shaping freedom: Can curve around corners or form seamless long panels
• Good for warm climates: Handles thermal expansion if engineered correctly

We’ve used acrylic for curved rooftop pools in Miami and in family pools where parents wanted wide windows to keep an eye on kids.

But do keep in mind that Acrylic can scratch more easily, although you can polish it back to a smooth surface.

2. Glass Pool Windows: Classic, Flat & Scratch-Resistant

Before acrylic got popular, the natural material used for pool windows was laminated glass.

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While they are not so popular nowadays, they are still better for a better outlook. Unlike acrylic, glass pools are clearer and harder. And the best part, glass pool windows do not scratch too easily, making them easier to maintain.

Facts About Glass Pool Windows

• Feels solid: Heavier and rigid, adding a sense of permanence
• More scratch-resistant: Better for high-traffic public pools
• Great in stable climates: Minimal thermal expansion

For small flat panels — say, in a hotel lounge or indoor pool — glass can look incredible and stay with low-maintenance for decades.

But do keep in mind that glass panels can only be flat. So you cannot use glass to design a curved pool window. Plus, framing glass pool windows costs more due to the weight and fragility compared to acrylic.

Two Main Types Of Pool Window Edges

While the materials are important, you also need to think about the edges of the pool windows.

Here are the two that we strongly recommend for the best experience, other than the regular pool window edges:

1. Infinity Edge Windows
2. Frameless Pool Windows

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Let us look into more details.

1. Infinity Edge Windows: The Dramatic Showstopper

Picture swimming and feeling like the pool is endless; you can’t find the edge of the pool even when you know there is a pool window. This effect is known as “infinity edge” or often known as “vanishing edge,” “negative edge,” or “zero edge.”

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This feature is where the pool is completely filled and the water flows over the edge, creating the illusion of the pool extending to the horizon.

Facts About Infinity Edge Windows:

• Create unmatched “floating” visuals
• Work best on elevated pools overlooking scenery
• Often combined with acrylic for shaping flexibility

For pools with extended pool windows, especially on rooftops, the infinity edge window enhances the swimming experience and helps capture photos where you get the water and the sky blended together.

However, they are complex to build because they require precise leveling and waterproofing. And they require a strong structural design to handle the overflow loads. So, if you want infinity edge windows, you should always look for professionals with a proven track record (such as Hammerhead Pools).

Pro Tip: For saltwater pools near the ocean, you should ensure marine-grade framing and sealants are used to avoid fast corrosion.

2. Frameless Pool Windows: Modern & Minimalist

Frameless pool windows refer to glass windows that are held with proper support from the bottom, without any visible support frame on top. This makes the pool windows seem like they are floating when viewed from the outside.

Facts About Frameless Pool Windows:

• Clean, uninterrupted lines
• Perfect for rooftop plunge pools, boutique hotels, or luxury homes
• Usually built from acrylic (lighter, easier to engineer for hidden framing)

If you are trying to build an attractive pool in your luxury home, then frameless pool windows are the best option for a better decorative look.

However, while they look simple, they have some complications, such as waterproofing at hidden seams and calculating the wind load properly. Again, you will need highly experienced pool engineers for these.

At Hammerhead Pools, we’ve often custom-engineered such windows for several luxury homes, ensuring a balanced aesthetics and safety. You may reach us here.

Where Do Pool Windows Make the Most Sense?

In my experience, pool windows work best in:

• Rooftop pools overlooking city skylines
  
  
• Oceanfront villas with infinity edges
  
  
• Compact pools wanting a bigger visual impact
  
  
• Gyms or spas sharing natural light with pool areas
  
  
• Family pools where parents want side views for supervision
  
  

Pool windows are not mandatory, but you would want to have them for sure, as they elevate the overall decoration by bringing light, safety, and a sense of openness.

When (and When Not) to Add a Pool Window

✅ Do it when:

• Your pool is elevated or near an edge
  
  
• You want light, openness, or a focal feature
  
  
• You’re working with a qualified designer and engineer
  
  

❌ Think twice if:

• The wall won’t be visible
  
  
• Your budget won’t allow for proper framing and sealing
  
  
• You plan to DIY — windows require precision, not guesswork
  
  

Facts To Know Before You Consider Having Pool Windows

Here are a few truths that I learned while working on several real-world projects:

• Material choice matters: Acrylic vs glass changes design, cost, and longevity.
  
  
• Water pressure rises quickly with depth: Acrylic is more capable of handling deeper pool water pressure.
  
  
• Framing is structural, not decorative: Try not to overdo it with heavy decorations on windows that are framed below.
• Thermal expansion must be engineered: Normally, Acrylic expands or shrinks based on temperature changes. So it needs extra engineered calculations, unlike glass windows, which almost don’t expand.
• Installation must stay watertight under movement and time.
  
  

Best practice: Bring in pool window experts — like Hammerhead Pools — during design, not after you dig. Retrofitting is possible, but costly.

Final Thoughts: More Than Just a View

Having pool windows is a great way to enhance your pool design. And the right material or finishing is crucial to ensure you are able to maintain the standard you want.

If you want longevity, then glass pool windows are the material to choose. But if you want more flexibility, such as creating curved pool windows, or have the option to remove scratches easily, then Acrylic would be the way to go.

And a frameless pool window does make the pool look better, but you shouldn’t consider it without working with highly experienced pool engineers. The infinity edge feature is totally up to your desire. Having an infinite horizon and a blended effect with the background does take the pool to a whole new level and helps to get a better status with your pool.

But remember, each of them has its own drawbacks. So, do make sure you think about which ones you want before building the pool.

Pro Advice: Always Consult With Experts When Deciding On Pool Windows

If you’re thinking about adding a pool window — whether it’s for your home, a resort, a fitness center, or a rehab facility — it’s best to start planning before construction begins. Getting it right isn’t just about picking a window; it requires careful planning around materials, structural framing, sealing, and how everything fits into your overall pool design.

That’s why it helps to speak with multiple experts early on, so your design is practical, safe, and beautiful from day one.

Expert Pool Window Design & Installation

If you’re working on a project involving luxury pools or transparent viewing walls, then you may contact the Hammerhead Pools team.

With over two decades of experience, we’ve delivered successful installs in everything from [Example 1] and [Example 2] to high-profile rooftop pools.

While we’re known for tackling complex, high-end projects, our goal is always to provide real value — not unnecessary cost. Book a call with us, share what you’re envisioning, and we’ll happily offer a free quote or practical alternatives that fit your budget and goals. (Contact Us)

Even if you’re just exploring ideas, we can help you figure out:

• Whether a pool window fits your design and location
• Which material — acrylic or glass — works best for your climate and style
• How large or small your window can safely be
  
  

Feel free to leave a comment below or send us a message. We’ll get back to you with clear, experience-based advice to help you plan smarter.

FAQs About Types Of Pool Windows

1. What’s better: acrylic or glass?

Acrylic is lighter and can curve; glass is scratch-resistant but limited to flat shapes.

So, you may decide which one you want. To make better decisions, you may consider reading this article:

Read: Glass vs Acrylic Pool Windows

2. Can you add a pool window to an existing pool?

Yes, but it requires major structural work — easier to design in from the start.

3. Do pool windows need special maintenance?

Acrylic may need polishing; glass generally stays clear longer.

4. Are Infinity Edge Pool Windows Only Suitable For Rooftop Pools?

No. You can have it in any pool windows, but you don’t normally see them in private pools. We advise you only consider it if you have a commercial pool or you have a luxury home where you have regular visitors, and it can help you gain a higher status.

5. Why Should I Or Should I Not Consider Frameless Pool Windows? 

There is nothing wrong with going for frameless pool windows. In fact, they do make the pool look better due to no visible frames.

But we advise not to use them in regular private pools as they are expensive to build. And certainly do not build them in areas that are earthquake-prone.

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