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Rooftop Pools – A Higher Degree of Difficulty

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Rooftop pools and spas are a frequently requested amenity for discerning commercial clientele. While notoriously difficult to design, fabricate and install; the demand for rooftop water features has only increased over the past few decades. Consequently, there are few companies taking on projects of the level of scale and complexity as Diamond Spas.

Owners Stephanie & Tom Bennett started the company back in 1996 with an initial focus on custom baths. Quickly they began to attract attention with their product line. By 1999 they began manufacturing swimming pools, spas, and custom water features. Fast forward to today and Diamond Spas have become one of the elite manufacturers in the industry.

Rooftop Pools & Spa Projects

Known for their stunning rooftop pools, their products can be found in the most affluent hotels, commercial buildings, high-end homes, and yes; even mega-yachts. To get a better understanding of why Diamond Spas has become a preferred choice for rooftop pools, we met with Design Manager – Mitch Martinek.

Quite often, Martinek is the point person on the project working with customers, as well as builders, architects, and engineers. Consequently, he has personally been involved in the design and execution of numerous rooftop pool and spa projects over the course of his career.

“Some of the rooftop pool installations of note that we’ve collaborated in include the Yellow Stone Club in Big Sky, Montana, the Atlantic Residence for Post Brothers, and Woodward Lofts in St. Louis, just to name a few,” said Martinek.

In the course of our discussion, Martinek let us know the reasons why consumers might opt for a stainless steel vessel when planning a rooftop pool project.

Factors To Consider With a Rooftop Pool Installation

“When you’re dealing with rooftop installations, weight is definitely a factor,” said Martinek, “you’re able to get a larger water surface area using a lightweight shell like a stainless steel vessel as opposed to a heavier concrete gunite vessel.”

Design Credit: Sparta Spa Architect: Daniel Hasson | Photo Credit: Diamond Spas

Weight and stress factors are crucial issues in rooftop swimming pools. There are risks to placing water above any structure. The framework must support the weight of the water as well as the pool itself. Martinek, let us know that this is one of the primary reasons many consumers opt for a stainless steel vessel when building a rooftop pool.

“A stainless steel vessel allows for a larger body of water with more features and more capacity than you’d get with your typical concrete gunite rooftop pool installation,” said Martinek.

Movement in the ground and depreciation of building fabrication are the most common causes of building and substructure movement. Concrete pools are vulnerable due to their rigidity and propensity to crack. When compared to concrete, stainless steel provides a higher degree of durability and enables for watertight welded manufacturing.

Martinek explained that rooftop pool installations can be tricky due to access issues. When planning a pool installation project, obviously time is of the issue. Many consumers opt for a prefabricated pool that can be installed in one piece thereby reducing the amount of time and money spent on-site during construction.

Architect: TBD Architecture + Design Studio Builder: Structure NYC Landscaper: Amber Freda Landscape Design
Photo Credit: Tom Sibley Photography

“One of the benefits of our process is we build everything here. We can be working in parallel with the on-site construction avoiding delays while the pool is being fabricated at our facility,” said Martinek.

A key reason that commercial consumers might opt for an off-site pool manufacturing process is the ease of integration and an abbreviated installation time. “We crane it right into position right on the rooftop,” said Martinek.

Given that rooftops create a higher degree of difficulty, it serves to reason that even though the process is easier in terms of time and installation, just getting the product onto the roof can be 90% of the job. The logistic problem of craning the vessel into place is one that Martinek is all too familiar with. Particularly on projects that have custom and unique requirements.

“I’m working on a current project right now in Sandpoint, ID. It’s a high-end condo, new build. One of the complexities there is that the pool was an afterthought. It’s a rooftop combination pool and spa. They already had set design parameters as far as the foundational slab that it could go on but they wanted to expand on that. We had to find a new way to do our framing to work with their current on-site rooftop conditions. There were degrees of complexity as far as point loading on top of their existing structure, and to get the size of the vessel they wanted.”

The Future is Here: Working With Acrylic

Despite the difficulties, that condo project is slated for completion this summer will have tenants living in the building by next year. While primarily known for their stainless steel vessels, Diamond Spas has quickly been building a reputation for acrylic vessels as well.

“Acrylic is becoming the new fad,” said Martinek, “it’s a new way of showcasing the vessel at the residence; whether it’s a high rise with a bottom acrylic viewing window or side viewing window. We can even do infinity edge acrylics, really the sky’s the limit.”

Architect – Berglund Architects LLC Builder- Shaeffer Hyde Photographer – Stovall Studio | Photo Credit: Diamond Spas

“We’ve come up with our own proprietary way of mechanically fastening these acrylic windows so we can install them at our facility on-site so that no extra installation is needed once the vessel is set. This provides the customer with the peace of mind that the vessel is leakproof and done right,” said Martinek.

“One large acrylic project we worked on was the GuestHouse at the Dream Hotel in New York City,” said Martinek, “definitely an extensive design phase and coordination with their team as far as the bottom viewing acrylic and then all of the surrounding finishes with a spiral staircase, acrylic window on the top with the wood surround. That was definitely a unique project.”

GuestHouse at Dream Downtown from Dream Hotels on Vimeo.

“Each project presents its own unique set of challenges and its own way of viewing,” said Martinek, “acrylic presents a different way of enjoying your spa, your pool and your water features. It gives you insight into the water, and then at night time, it becomes another great feature with the lighting interior and exterior of your pool really shines through that acrylic and brings out the finish of the stainless steel or copper.”

Rooftop Pool Trends

Many rooftop pools we see these days are part of an overall design plan that incorporates the pool as well as other outdoor living amenities such as a sauna and spa. A trend that Martinek acknowledged has been developing with many clients. “A lot of the higher-end builds are adding a sauna, spa and cold plunge in their gym or master bathroom suites.”

Bringing the outdoors indoors is another popular trend Diamond Spas has incorporated into many new projects. Consequently, there has also been a shift towards incorporating elements of hot and cold therapy. “We’re seeing a lot of indoor spas, cold plunges for commercial and residential use,” said Martinek.

Final Thoughts

With a bevy of material options to choose from these days, the look and stylized aesthetic for rooftop pools can be as unique as the design itself. The fact that Diamond Spas provides all of these selections and the expertise and support to ensure a flawless installation makes it clear why they are consistently recognized as a leading manufacturer of rooftop pools and spas.

Listen to our entire discussion with Mitch Martinek of Diamond Spas on the Pool Magazine podcast.

Featured Photo Credit: Diamond Spas – Post Brothers / The Atlantic Building, Philadelphia, PA. Photographer – Basel Almisshal

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Editor in Chief of Pool Magazine - Joe Trusty is also CEO of PoolMarketing.com, the leading digital agency for the pool industry. An internet entrepreneur, software developer, author, and marketing professional with a long history in the pool industry. Joe oversees the writing and creative staff at Pool Magazine. To contact Joe Trusty email [email protected] or call (916) 467-9118 during normal business hours. For submissions, please send your message to [email protected]

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Manufacturer

Pentair Announces Leadership Transition for Pentair Pool

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Pentair Announces Leadership Transition for Pentair Pool

Pentair plc (NYSE: PNR), a leader in helping the world sustainably move, improve, and enjoy water life’s most essential resource, today announced that Jerome Pedretti, Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of Pentair Pool, will depart the Company effective July 1, 2026. Pedretti concludes a distinguished career with Pentair spanning more than 20 years.

In connection with Pedretti’s departure, Pentair is eliminating the Chief Executive Officer of Pentair Pool role. De’Mon Wiggins, current EVP and President, Pentair Flow and Pentair Water Solutions, will assume responsibility for the Pool segment as EVP and President, Pentair Flow, Water Solutions and Pool, effective April 28, 2026. Pedretti will remain with Pentair through his departure date to support an orderly transition.

“Over more than two decades with Pentair, Jerome has made a significant and lasting impact on our Pool and Flow businesses through his leadership, deep expertise, and unwavering commitment to our customers and our culture,” said John Stauch, Pentair President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are truly grateful for Jerome’s many contributions and for his thoughtful partnership in supporting a smooth transition. With De’Mon’s strong track record of execution and strategic leadership, I am confident in the continued momentum of our Pool business and excited about the opportunities ahead.”

CAUTION CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This release contains statements that we believe to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. Without limitation, any statements preceded or followed by or that include the words “targets,” “plans,” “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “will,” “likely,” “may,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “projects,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “positioned,” “strategy,” or “future” or words, phrases, or terms of similar substance or the negative thereof are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, some of which are beyond our control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include the overall global economic and business conditions impacting our business, including the strength of housing and related markets and conditions relating to international hostilities; supply, demand, logistics, competition and pricing pressures related to and in the markets we serve; the ability to achieve the benefits of our restructuring plans, cost reduction initiatives and Transformation Program; the impact of raw material, logistics and labor costs and other inflation; volatility in currency exchange rates and interest rates; failure of markets to accept new product introductions and enhancements; the ability to successfully identify, finance, complete and integrate acquisitions; risks associated with operating foreign businesses; the impact of seasonality of sales and weather conditions; our ability to comply with laws and regulations; the impact of changes in laws, regulations and administrative policy, including those that limit U.S. tax benefits or impact trade agreements and tariffs; the outcome of litigation and governmental proceedings; and the ability to achieve our long-term strategic operating and sustainability goals and targets. Additional information concerning these and other factors is contained in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025. All forward-looking statements, including all financial forecasts, speak only as of the date of this release. Pentair assumes no obligation, and disclaims any obligation, to update the information contained in this release.

ABOUT PENTAIR PLC

At Pentair, we help the world sustainably move, improve, and enjoy water, life’s most essential resource. From our residential and commercial water solutions, to industrial water management and everything in between, Pentair is a core large cap value S&P 500 equity stock focused on smart, sustainable water solutions that help our planet and people thrive.

Pentair had revenue in 2025 of approximately $4.2 billion, and trades under the ticker symbol PNR. With approximately 9,000 global employees serving customers in more than 150 countries, we work to help improve lives and the environment around the world. To learn more, visit www.pentair.com.

Contacts

Media Contact:

Shelly Hubbard
Vice President, Investor Relations
Direct: 612-812-0148
Email: [email protected]

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Awards

Best Booth Awards Announced at Coverings 2026

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pool-magazine- coverings-2026-best-booth-awards-ceramica-del-conca-best-in-show

April 1, 2026 – LAS VEGAS – Coverings (coverings.com), the largest international tile and stone event in North America, has announced seven Best Booth Awards for the 2026 show in Las Vegas, including three Best in Show awards, three Best Display awards and one Best Stone Display award. The annual awards program recognizes exhibits with exceptional creative and visual materiality experiences for showgoers.     

“The booth craftsmanship and display ingenuity the exhibitors evoke on the show floor make Coverings a highly unique opportunity for attendees to be inspired by tactile and aesthetic spaces,” said Jamie Rich, Coverings managing director. “From new tile and stone collections thoughtfully presented to immersive exhibits designed with architectural elements and passthrough walkways, there is no shortage of innovation.” 

A panel of tile and stone industry leaders selected the seven standout booths to spotlight as this year’s Best Booth Award recipients, though the caliber across the entire show floor is truly impressive. 

Ceramica Del Conca (Booth 1614) received Best in Show for its immersive design that brings visitors on a sensory journey. Attendees visiting Ceramica Del Conca’s booth are greeted by the eye-catching exterior, covered with three-dimensional red stone and illuminated by LED lights hidden behind mirrors with primal shapes. Large surfaces flank the floors and walls of the first three rooms in the exhibit space, highlighting the three-dimensional effect of porcelain stoneware stones. The exhibit space also spotlights seven tile collections, including the Dinamika Stone Edition collection and Dimore collection. 

A Best in Show award was also granted to Stonepeak Ceramics (Booth 6234) for its storytelling design, “The Magical Journey,” which illustrates how the company has transformed ceramics over time through innovation, sustainability and design. The entrance to the booth showcases an immersive journey that passes through a magical portal, beyond which visitors are offered a new interpretation of ceramics and led into a space of perceptions. The design transforms reality, and a perfect balance that plays on perspectives is revealed. Attendees enter the exhibition space, where porcelain dress stairs, vases and columns are installed upside down to represent an altar-universe and heaven-like experience. A Material Library is available inside the booth and features Stonepeak’s entire range of ceramic and porcelain products, including terrazzo-looks, marble-looks, stone-looks and more, showcasing the diverse product range of colors, thicknesses, formats and finishes. 

VIVES AZULEJOS Y GRES (S.A.) (Booth 819) was also honored as a Best in Show winner. The company’s vibrant display, showcased through ceramics, is inspired by the striking impact one experiences when visiting Las Vegas. VIVES has conveyed this through its Surf collection, which offers a wide variety of decorated tile in multiple formats and colors. Key features of the booth for attendees to enjoy include two towers that simulate with tile the illuminated signs of Las Vegas as well as a central corridor, highlighting the full color range offered by the Surf collection. Two other collections creatively displayed are Tandem Wood and Duo. 

Ceramica Rondine – Bottega (Booth 1145) earned one of the Coverings 2026 Best Display honors. Attendees visiting the booth are guided through a series of interconnected rooms, each displaying different ceramic and porcelain offerings from the company. A standout space within the exhibit is the Japan-inspired room, which displays a variety of Ceramica Rondine – Bottega’s wood-look tile collections and is centered around a vibrant cherry blossom tree. Select other collections on display include Pastel X, Portland Rock and Vibe.

Another Best Display award was presented to Decocer (Booth 833) for its “Echoes of the Earth” design by architect Héctor Ruiz Velázquez. The booth was created as a fully immersive experience inspired by the primal qualities of clay and the natural world. The entire pavilion functions as architecture made of ceramics, rather than using traditional panels or displays, allowing visitors to walk on, touch and inhabit the materials. In the central space of the booth, ceramic columns, clad in earth-toned tiles, emerge from the clay walls. The curved, flowing forms of the stand create an organic and natural spatial experience to showcase eight tile collections from the company, including Talya and Eterea.   

pool-magazine-coverings-2026-best-booth-awards-wonder-porcelain

Wonder Porcelain (Booth 4439) also received a Best Display award. The company’s impressive exhibit showcases warm colors, technical finishes, new product sizes and in-house mosaics, and each room of the booth features a different feel and experience. It was designed to display Wonder Porcelain’s product offerings via the walls and floors. A highlight of the booth is the black and white checkerboard floor, featuring the company’s new obsidian-black Tuxedo™ Porcelain™ Collection and bright-white Arctic Style Porcelain™. Wonder Porcelain’s Taj Opus™ collection is also on display, which captures the timeless character of Taj Mahal marble through a thoughtfully reinterpreted, shimmering and nuanced design. 

The Best Stone Display award went to ANTOLINI® (Booth 7833) for its striking exhibit designed as a contemporary village, conceived by designer and creative lead Alessandro La Spada. The concept invites visitors to follow the story of natural stone – from its origin in the quarry to its transformation into refined architectural surfaces. The space invites visitors to see luminous backlit walls, refined kitchen surfaces and the expressive finishes of the Texture+ Collection. In a dedicated space of the booth, these innovations reveal how technology can elevate stone, unveiling unexpected textures and depth. Coverings 2026 attendees touring the space can discover more than 20 of Antolini’s natural stones, including Cipollino GreyWave and Irish Greene®, both part of the Exclusive Collection. 

Learn more at www.coverings.com

About Coverings: Coverings is the largest and preeminent ceramic tile and natural stone trade fair and exposition in the United States and North America. It features exhibitors from 40 countries and is the stage for introducing some of the most innovative tile and stone products in the world with hundreds of exhibitors. 
 
The exposition and conference, with more than 35 years of successful history, serve as a valuable and complimentary learning resource for all segments of the industry, with dozens of educational opportunities throughout the show. Coverings attracts thousands of distributors, retailers, fabricators, contractors, specifiers, architectural and design professionals, builders, real estate developers, as well as journalists, reporters, broadcasters, podcasters and bloggers who cover the vital tile and stone industry.
 
Key sponsors of the show are Ceramics of Italy/Confindustria Ceramica, Ceramic Tile Manufacturers Association of Spain (ASCER)/Tile of Spain, Tile Council of North America (TCNA), National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA), Ceramic Tile Distributors Association (CTDA) and International Product Assurance (IPA) Laboratories

The show is managed by Taffy Event Strategies

For more information about attending, sponsoring or exhibiting at Coverings 2026, contact Taffy Event Strategies at 571-313-5801 or [email protected]

Press Contacts:
Eberly & Collard Public Relations
404-574-2900
Sophie Collins: [email protected]
Don Eberly: [email protected]

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Manufacturers

Announcing the 2025 Pentair Pool Pro Awards Winners

Seven Pool Industry Professionals to be Recognized as “Backyard Legends”

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Announcing the 2025 Pentair Pool Pro Awards Winners

[LONDON, January 7, 2026] — Pentair Pool, a global leader in sustainable pool solutions, is proud to announce the winners of the 2025 Pentair Pool Pro Awards. This year’s award theme, “The Backyard Legends,” honors the multi-faceted pool professionals who work to keep pools swim-ready and help pool owners safely and sustainably enjoy water. Winners will be celebrated at a special ceremony at the Pool and Spa Show in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

2025 Pentair Pool Pro Awards Winners

The awards recognized seven outstanding individuals for their exceptional expertise and dedication to the pool industry. The winners are:

Premier Pool Pro Award: Nick Lehman, Service Tech/Manager at Pinch-a-Penny

Premier Pool Pro Award: Jena Beach, Service Manager at Coastal Pools

Lifetime Achievement Award: Shannon Grave Jones, Owner at Graves Pools and Spas

 Lifetime Achievement Award: Sean Johnson, Executive Vice President, Field Services at Amenity Pool Services

Unsung Hero Award: Jake Skipper, Owner/Operator at Skipper Pools & Spas

Safety Advocate Award: Chuck Helmick, Service Manager at Johnson Pool & Spa

Advancing Automation Award: Claudio Pámanes, Owner at Pámanes Pools

“It’s inspiring to see the impact these pool professionals have had on their communities,” said Greg Claffey, President and Chief Revenue Officer, Pentair Pool. “And hearing their stories of success and growth has been downright humbling. It’s an honor to recognize them with these awards in tandem with our sponsors – AQUA Magazine, Pool & Hot Tub Alliance, and GENESIS®.”

Attendees to the Atlantic City Pool and Spa Show can visit the Pentair Pool Booth (2219) on Wed., Jan. 28 at 4 p.m. EST for a public celebration of these winners.

For more information on the winners and to see highlights of the upcoming awards celebration in Atlantic City, please visit www.pentair.com/pool-pro-awards or www.facebook.com/pentairpool.

About Pentair Pool

At Pentair, we help the world safely and sustainably move, improve, and enjoy water, life’s most essential resource. From our residential and business solutions to industrial water management and everything in between, Pentair is focused on smart, sustainable water solutions that help our planet and people thrive.    

As an industry leader in the pool and spa space, Pentair Pool is driven to help people sustainably enjoy water. Our solutions include industry-leading pumps, automation, lighting, heating, and filtration technology that help our customers enjoy a smarter and more sustainable pool. Customer success is at the heart of our vision for bringing family and friends together in the pool and on the deck to build social connections, create lifelong memories, and help promote fitness and enjoyment. For more information, visit www.pentair.com/poolandspa

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