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Brookfield Pool Enclosure Addition
Project Details

Project Year: 2018

Location: Brookfield

Updates Included:Pool Enclosure

Rooms: Addition

Features:

  • Hydronic in-floor heating

  • Stained cedar cathedral ceiling with skylight shafts

  • Velux solar powered skylights with integrated blinds

  • Integrated audio and video system

  • Color changing LED perimeter lighting

Turning a Backyard Pool into a Year Round Retreat

The homeowners loved their backyard pool but wished they could enjoy it beyond the short Wisconsin summer. Their goal was simple: retain the existing in-ground pool while enclosing it in a space that could be used comfortably year round.

The new enclosure was designed to feel like a natural extension of the home rather than a separate structure. Sliding doors now provide easy access to the surrounding yard and patios, eliminating the need to walk around the existing fence. A new concrete driveway and flanking patios create a smooth transition between the home, outdoor spaces, and the pool addition.

A Pool Environment Designed for Comfort and Convenience

The completed enclosure transforms swimming into a year round experience. Hydronic in-floor heating keeps the surrounding surfaces warm while the pool becomes a central place for relaxation and recreation.

Functionality was carefully considered throughout the design. A dedicated mechanical room was positioned close to the pool to improve efficiency and system performance. Nearby, a full bath and changing room provide convenience for both the homeowners and their guests.

Multiple doors surround the enclosure, allowing access to different areas of the yard while improving air circulation and maintaining open sightlines.

Architectural Design That Feels Open and Connected

Inside the enclosure, a stained wood cathedral ceiling creates a spacious and airy atmosphere that enhances the experience of the room. Skylight shafts finished in cedar allow natural light to enter while maintaining the warmth of the wood ceiling above.

From the outside, careful attention was given to the scale and appearance of the addition. Clipped corners and a gable bump out reduce the visual mass of the structure, allowing it to blend more naturally with the existing home.

Precision Engineering Behind the Scenes

A project like this requires extensive coordination between design, construction, and mechanical systems. Hidden valances conceal LED uplighting and automated Hunter Douglas blinds while still allowing access for maintenance.

The HVAC system was carefully designed to maintain air temperatures within a few degrees of the pool water. Pressurized spiral air supply lines were buried beneath the concrete floor to improve efficiency while keeping mechanical components out of sight.

Moisture resistant drywall and waterproof Azek interior trim help protect the structure from the humidity created by the indoor pool environment.

From Start to Finish

Before
Before

Before

  • Basement windows were exposed and converted to glass blocks, increasing natural light while improving weather protection and security.
  • The drop ceiling was replaced with drywall, adding two inches of height and creating a more open, finished appearance.
  • A new feature wall with stained horizontal shiplap adds warmth and visual interest, defining the main gathering space.
After

After

  • This aerial view shows how the new pool enclosure addition integrates with the existing home.
  • Matching rooflines, shingles, and skylights help the structure blend seamlessly with the original architecture.
  • The new addition connects the home, patio, and pool area, creating a more functional layout designed for year round use.
Before
After

Before

  • Before the addition, the outdoor pool was used only during the warmer months due to the Wisconsin climate.
  • Access between the pool and the home required exiting through the gate and walking around the fence, making trips inside to shower or change less convenient.
  • The surrounding fence obstructed views of the landscaped yard and limited the connection between the pool area and the rest of the property.
After

After

  • LP SmartSide siding provides a durable exterior finish that is color matched to complement the existing cedar siding of the home.
  • Matching rooflines, trim details, and skylights allow the pool enclosure to integrate naturally with the existing architecture.
  • Trapezoid windows at the gable end echo the geometry of the home’s existing windows while reflecting the cathedral ceiling inside.
  • A stone patio extends the outdoor living area, creating a natural transition from the home to the pool addition while providing space for gathering and entertaining.

Before

  • The existing backyard pool was surrounded by fencing and located within a restricted buildable area on the lot.
  • Local building regulations limited the allowable footprint for the addition, requiring careful planning around the existing pool.
  • Designing the enclosure required maximizing every square foot while accommodating the pool structure, mechanical room, and elevation changes.

After

  • As evening approaches, the pool enclosure glows with interior lighting, highlighting the warm wood ceiling and expansive glass.
  • Marvin Integrity Ultrex casement windows and sliding doors blend seamlessly with the home’s exterior color palette.
  • Large windows and doors allow natural light during the day while creating a bright, welcoming atmosphere in the evening.
Before
After

Before

  • Before the addition, access to the pool was through sliding doors and then out a metal gate surrounding the pool area.
  • Moving between the pool and the home required walking around fencing and exterior pathways.
  • Wet swimmers often had to track through the house to reach bathrooms or changing areas.

After

  • The rear elevation of the addition includes three sets of sliding glass doors that connect the enclosure to the patio, backyard, and deck.
  • Large windows and doors improve natural light while maintaining strong connections to the surrounding landscape.
  • Large windows and doors improve natural light while maintaining strong connections to the surrounding landscape.
  • The mechanical systems were designed to maintain comfortable air conditions in a high moisture environment.
Before
After
Before
Before

Before

  • The existing sunroom at the back of the home reflected the original layout prior to the new addition. While bright and comfortable, it did not provide a direct or convenient connection to the pool area.
  • Access to the pool required leaving the sunroom through sliding doors and walking through a metal gate in the surrounding fence.
  • The pool itself needed updates, including a new liner, stairs, and coping to restore its condition.
  • A mix of chain link and aging wood fencing enclosed the pool area, creating a visual barrier and detracting from the surrounding landscaped yard.
After

After

  • The new addition transforms the backyard experience by enclosing the pool within a bright and expansive indoor space designed for year round use.
  • Large windows and sliding doors surround the pool area, filling the space with natural light and maintaining strong visual connections to the landscape.
  • A stained tongue and groove wood ceiling introduces warmth and architectural rhythm while enhancing the vaulted volume of the room.
  • The new layout establishes a seamless transition between the pool, seating areas, and the home’s interior spaces.

Before

  • The pool and surrounding area offered limited space for construction work, requiring a temporary surface to protect the pool and allow crews to safely build the new structure.
  • Mechanical equipment and climate control systems were not yet integrated into the design, requiring dedicated infrastructure to manage heating, ventilation, and humidity for the new indoor pool environment.

After

  • A temporary deck was constructed over the pool to protect the water and provide a stable working platform during construction.
  • The mechanical room is discreetly located in the corner of the addition to keep pool equipment and building systems out of view.
  • A new gas boiler supports air heating, pool heating, and the in floor radiant heating system.
  • Fourteen HVAC floor supply vents with aluminum grilles are positioned around the pool to help regulate temperature and humidity.
Before
After
After
After

Before

  • The original layout offered limited amenities near the pool area, with no dedicated space for refreshments, storage, or guest convenience.
  • The pool relied primarily on natural daylight and had fewer integrated lighting and comfort features to support extended use of the space.

After

  • A snack bar with cabinetry from Plato Woodwork provides efficient use of space and convenient storage for poolside entertaining.
  • 12" × 24" porcelain tile connects the flooring from the existing home to the pool room, creating a seamless transition.
  • Eight Velux solar powered skylights with integrated blinds provide natural light and can be operated remotely.
  • A hall bathroom with a shower offers a convenient changing space for family and guests.
Explore how a carefully designed addition can transform an underused space into the heart of the home
Outcome & Client Impact

By enclosing the existing pool, the homeowners gained far more than an addition. The space now functions as a bright, climate controlled retreat where swimming, relaxation, and entertaining can happen throughout the year.

What was once limited to seasonal use has become an everyday destination within the home. The enclosure connects naturally to the yard, patios, and house while maintaining comfort, efficiency, and durability in a challenging indoor pool environment.

Suburban neighborhood with modern house, large windows, and skylights. Surrounding greenery includes trees and lawns. Quiet, winding road in the background.
Aerial view of a house with a paved patio, seating area, and grassy yard. Adjacent buildings are partially visible.
A modern bathroom features a glass shower, wooden vanity with marble countertop, large mirror, wall lights, and neatly hung towels.
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Modern house with large windows, stone patio, and green lawn. Clear blue sky with scattered clouds in the background. Peaceful residential setting.
A modern gray house with large windows, set in a grassy yard, surrounded by trees under a partly cloudy sky.
A modern house with large windows illuminated from within during twilight, surrounded by a grassy yard and neighboring homes in a suburban setting.
A light gray house with large windows and a well-kept lawn, surrounded by trees under a clear blue sky.
Indoor pool area with wooden ceiling, surrounded by large windows and lounge chairs. Outdoor view through windows shows greenery and playground.
Spacious indoor swimming pool room with skylights and wood ceiling, surrounded by large windows. Seating area with chairs and tables on poolside.

Dream Big. We’ll Handle the Rest.

S.J. Janis Company stands ready to bring your vision to life with unparalleled expertise and a commitment to excellence. Contact us today to discover how we can turn your dream home into your real home.

Dream Big. We’ll Handle the Rest.