How a drop stitch pool works

Drop-Stitch: the technology that gives iPoolgo pools their shape.

Thousands of threads connect the two walls. Inflated to 8 to 10 PSI, they form a rigid, self-supporting wall with no metal frame.

iPoolgo drop stitch above ground pool

Easy to store for winter. Rigid once inflated.

See how it works
  • 01High-pressure drop stitch
  • 028 to 10 PSI, 12 PSI max
  • 031000D reinforced fabric
  • 04No metal frame

Inside the wall

Two layers, thousands of threads.
A rigidity you can feel.

A drop stitch wall is not simply an inflatable sheet. It is a construction system in which two surfaces are joined by a dense mesh of internal threads.

  1. 01

    Two parallel walls

    They form the outer envelope of the structure and define its thickness.

  2. 02

    Thousands of threads

    They keep a constant distance between the surfaces during inflation.

  3. 03

    Evenly spread pressure

    The air puts the whole assembly under tension and spreads the load across the entire wall.

  4. 04

    A stable shape

    The wall does not bulge and keeps a clean, straight shape.

Reinforced outer wall
Internal threads under tension

How it works

Pressure alone does not create rigidity.

It is the internal threads that control the shape. When the structure is inflated, they work in tension and prevent the two walls from moving further apart.

Combined with a 1000D reinforced outer fabric, this gives the iPoolgo above ground pool its straight walls and its stability.

8–10 PSIRecommended working pressure
12 PSIMaximum pressure, never to be exceeded
1000DReinforced outer fabric

Technical details

From the load-bearing thread to the finished pool.

The performance of a drop stitch wall does not depend on a single material. It results from the internal mesh, the textile substrates, the coatings, the way they are assembled and the working pressure.

01

Load-bearing weave

What does 1000D actually mean?

The structure uses a polyester weave rated at 1000D. The "D" stands for denier: this unit describes the linear mass of the textile thread. In theory, 9,000 metres of a 1,000-denier thread weigh 1,000 grams.

1000D therefore describes the count of the load-bearing thread. It corresponds neither to the number of internal threads, nor to the thickness of the PVC, nor to a guaranteed puncture resistance.

  • The thread count contributes to the strength of the weave.
  • The density of the mesh controls how loads are spread.
  • The coatings provide protection and watertightness.
  • The seams determine how well the envelope holds together.
02

Multi-layer construction

Pre-lamination and heat bonding.

The surfaces of the drop stitch wall are made from mechanically pre-laminated layers. The outer layers are then joined by heat bonding to form a watertight envelope around the internal mesh.

This construction aims for even adhesion, a smooth surface and a strong bond between the fabric and its coating. The final quality depends on the weave, the outer layers and the seams, not on the visible PVC alone.

Weaving→Coating→Pre-lamination→Heat bonding
03

Inflation pressure

8 to 10 PSI in use. 12 PSI maximum.

The recommended pressure lies between 8 and 10 PSI. The taller the pool, the closer the setting should be to 10 PSI. The 12 PSI limit must never be exceeded.

Too little pressure can leave creases and reduce support. Too much pressure puts stress on the materials and seams. As there is no automatic pressure-relief valve, checking with a gauge is essential.

Temperature swingsThe internal pressure changes with the outside temperature: it rises on hot sunny days and drops on cool nights. Check it whenever temperatures swing sharply.
04

Functional components

Valve, base and connections.

Paddle valve

High-pressure valve designed to limit air loss when the inflator is removed and to allow controlled deflation.

1.5 mm (1/16 in) flexible floor

The floor follows the surface it rests on. It needs stable, level, clean ground, free of stones, roots and sharp objects.

38 mm (1.5 in) male connectors

The filter connections use a standard diameter for above ground pool equipment.

No automatic relief valve

The pressure must be set and monitored using the inflator or a suitable gauge.

05

Controlled ageing

UV protection and winter storage.

The outer coating is given a treatment intended to limit the effects of UV radiation. This protection slows ageing without making the material immune to sunlight, frost, badly dosed chemicals, damp storage or repeated rubbing.

The estimated service life is around 7 to 10 seasons when set-up, pressure and upkeep instructions are followed and the pool is stored indoors, away from frost, over the winter. This estimate does not extend the two-year manufacturer's warranty.

06

Quality control

Consistency at every stage matters.

Manufacturing combines textile preparation, weaving of the mesh, application of the coatings, pre-lamination, cutting, heat bonding, fitting of the valves and a final inspection.

Inspections cover the surfaces, the seams, the fittings and pressure retention. No figures for tensile strength, puncture resistance or ageing are claimed without a test report specific to the model on sale.

Specifications

Key specifications.

POOL / DROP STITCH
Technology
Drop stitch (Double Wall Fabric)
Wall thickness
15 cm (6 in), inflated
Textile weave
1000D polyester
Assembly
Pre-lamination and heat bonding
Recommended pressure
8 to 10 PSI
Maximum pressure
12 PSI
Valve
High-pressure, paddle type
Pool floor
1.5 mm (1/16 in) flexible membrane
Filter connections
38 mm (1.5 in) male connectors
Outer protection
UV-resistant coating
Estimated service life
7 to 10 seasons with winter storage
Manufacturer's warranty
2 years, subject to conditions

What it means for you

Built where it counts.

A pool with straight walls, easy to set up in your backyard and easy to store for winter.

01

No frame around the pool

The rigid walls stay straight, with no metal legs or tubes around the pool.

02

No digging, no contractor

The pool sets up on stable, level, clean ground that can carry the weight of the water.

03

Stored for winter

Drained and deflated, the pool folds up and is stored indoors until spring, away from frost.

Not a regular inflatable pool

Identique

A soft inflatable pool relies mainly on air pressure. A drop stitch wall adds thousands of internal threads that hold its two faces parallel.

FeatureiPoolgoRegular inflatable
StructureInternal threadsInternal threads
WallsRigidSoft
Metal frameNoneDepends on the model
Winter storageFolds into its bagFolds into its bag

Choose your above ground pool

Same drop stitch walls.
The size depends on your backyard.

Compare the four round sizes, 3 to 6 m (10 to 20 ft), and the rectangular pool, or ask us for advice.

See the pools Ask for advice