Why reinforced PVC membranes may soon become the new U.S. standard in commercial waterproofing
By Matthew Sands
For most of the 20th century, American homes had one type of light switch: the classic toggle. Slim, upright, and instantly recognizable, it became the standard—even as Europe moved ahead with broader, sleeker rocker switches.
The rocker design wasn’t new. It was safer, easier to use, and offered more design flexibility. Yet it took decades for the U.S. market to embrace it. Builders stuck to what they knew, electrical codes were written around toggles, and manufacturers had little incentive to change.
Sound familiar? The U.S. pool industry is now in a strikingly similar position, holding onto an established material long after better alternatives have been proven in other countries.
The Old Standard: Plaster
For commercial swimming pools in America, plaster is the toggle switch of waterproofing. It’s familiar, well understood, and supported by decades of building codes, specifications, and installer training.
But that comfort comes with limitations. Plaster depends on the integrity of the concrete structure. It requires constant chemical balance, regular resurfacing, and long closures when repairs are needed. In an age when owners demand reliability, efficiency, and sustainability, the old standard is showing its cracks—literally and figuratively.
The Newcomer: Reinforced PVC Membranes
Across Europe, reinforced PVC membranes have long been the dominant waterproofing system for public and private pools. By forming a continuous, weld-sealed layer, they protect the structure from water infiltration and chemical attack while offering unmatched design flexibility.