All inflatable garden pools available in the ondaFlo online store are made using modern Drop-Stitch technology. Two layers of durable PVC connected by thousands of thin threads create a stable and durable structure. In this post, we will take a closer look at the entire procedure and examine the characteristics of Drop-Stitch products. We will also answer the questions: where else is this technology used and how has it revolutionized the garden pool market? We invite you to read on!
What is Drop-Stitch?
Drop-Stitch is a modern construction method that involves joining two layers of material (such as PVC) using thousands of polyester or nylon microfibers. Drop-Stitch is used, among other things, to produce SUP boards, kayaks, pontoons, and pools. Densely spaced fibers create a kind of scaffolding, providing a hard and stable structure when inflated. The more fibers and the higher the pressure, the greater the rigidity.
The use of Drop-Stitch technology ensures that the material does not bulge when filled with air. What's more, thanks to this construction, the inflatable object has the same internal pressure and height in all places.
"Inflatable" no longer means "soft"
Drop-Stitch technology has revolutionized the market for inflatable items, including garden pools. Thanks to it, "inflatable" no longer means "soft," or, in other words, flimsy.
In a classic inflatable pool, air serves only as a filling – it adds volume but does not create a real load-bearing structure. The walls deform under water pressure because there is no internal system to stabilize the distance between the material layers.
In Drop-Stitch, the situation is completely different. Thousands of evenly distributed fibers connect the top and bottom layers of PVC, creating a strong structure. Each fiber works on a vertical axis, maintaining a constant distance between surfaces. When air is forced inside at the appropriate pressure, the fibers tighten and create a stressed internal structure. The internal pressure can be very high; for pools, 8 PSI is acceptable, while for other types of products, when properly designed, it can even exceed 15-18 PSI, which means that Drop-Stitch products achieve properties similar to non-inflatable (solid) structures.
Properties of products made with Drop-Stitch technology
Pools and other inflatable items made with Drop-Stitch technology are characterized by the following properties:
- Rigidity and stability. In a Drop-Stitch pool, the walls are hard and stable, and the bottom resembles a taut platform. The difference is particularly noticeable with larger pool sizes. The greater the volume of water, the more classic constructions show their limitations.
- Material durability and high resistance to deformation. In Drop-Stitch construction, deformations are minimized by internal fibers. This ensures that the garden pool retains its shape even with intensive use.
- High comfort of use, quick assembly and disassembly. A pool made with Drop-Stitch technology provides a feeling of stability similar to frame models, but without the metal structure, risk of corrosion, and time-consuming assembly.
- Portability, easy transport and storage. Drop-Stitch items are not only durable but also relatively lightweight. They can be easily moved from place to place. What's more, after deflating, they do not take up much space, so they will easily fit into a car.
- Aesthetics and integration with the garden. Drop-Stitch inflatable garden pools are usually very minimalistic constructions. Unlike frame pools, there are no metal tubes, unsightly supports, or visible joints. Instead, there are modern, subdued colors (grey, anthracite, black, white) that perfectly complement contemporary gardens and homes.
- Flexibility and low operating costs. Drop-Stitch technology, used in inflatable garden pools, reduces the operating costs of a home swimming area. The advantage of micro-fiber construction is its flexibility. Drop-Stitch allows for the creation of a stable, modern pool without permanent intervention in the garden, without foundations, and without a metal structure.
Drop-Stitch – technology that simplifies life
Currently, Drop-Stitch technology is used to make: SUP boards, inflatable kayaks and canoes, pontoons and rafts, hot tubs, garden pools, cold plunge tubs, and floating platforms and docks. This construction is also used in the production of: gymnastics mats, acrobatic tracks, and protective elements.
A good example of how Drop-Stitch technology simplifies life is the ondaFlo inflatable pool. Previously, a garden pool was a luxury. In-ground pools require ground intervention and significant financial outlay. Frame pools, though available in various shapes and sizes, are characterized by long and complicated assembly. What's more, after each season, the structure must be dismantled, metal elements secured, and the whole stored in a dry place.
An inflatable garden pool, made using the Drop-Stitch method, is stable and durable, yet easy to use and portable. Its assembly is limited to a few steps: unfold, inflate, and fill with water.
Want to see how Drop-Stitch technology simplifies life? We encourage you to explore the offer of the ondaFlo online store.