Negative Edge

The Ultimate Statement Pool

If you’ve ever seen a pool that appears to disappear into the landscape—water flowing seamlessly to the horizon as if the pool has no edge—you’ve seen an infinity pool. Also called negative-edge or vanishing-edge pools, these are the ultimate statement pieces.
An infinity pool isn’t just a place to swim. It’s a design philosophy. It’s the focal point of your entire outdoor space. It creates the illusion that your pool and landscape merge into one. In Scottsdale’s luxury market, where properties often feature stunning views and dramatic landscapes, infinity pools are the perfect match for the architectural and environmental context.
Mossman Brothers Pools has won multiple World’s Greatest Pools awards specifically for infinity pool design. We’ve been designing and building these technically demanding pools for 33 years. If you’re considering an infinity pool for your Scottsdale or Paradise Valley home, you’re looking at working with builders who understand these pools at the highest level. 

How Infinity Pools Work

An infinity pool creates the visual effect of water disappearing, but it doesn’t actually disappear. Instead, water flows over the edge into a collection trough, gets recirculated through the filtration system, and returned to the pool.

Here's the engineering:

The Edge The edge of the pool appears to be level with the surrounding deck or landscape, but it’s actually positioned so you can’t see the top. Looking at the pool from anywhere on the property, the edge appears invisible—you just see water flowing. From inside the pool, you see the landscape beyond without a visible edge interrupting the view.

The Collection Trough Behind the visible edge (typically below grade on the landscape side) is a collection trough that catches the water flowing over. This trough must be precisely engineered:

  • The deck and edge must be perfectly level (within fractions of an inch)
  • The trough dimensions must match the water flow rate
  • The edge line must be perfectly straight
  • Proper slope ensures water flows into the collection trough, not sideways

Recirculation System Water collected in the trough flows to the pump and filtration system, gets filtered, and returns to the pool. This creates continuous circulation that maintains water level despite evaporation.

Water Level Control The pool water level must be maintained precisely. Too high, and water overflows incorrectly. Too low, and the edge isn’t visible underwater. An automatic fill system (like a standard pool’s autofill) maintains level as evaporation occurs.

The Visual Effect From most viewing angles—especially from inside looking out—the edge is invisible. You see water that appears to flow seamlessly into the landscape. This creates the stunning visual effect that makes infinity pools so dramatic.

How Infinity Pools Work

The Edge:

The edge of the pool appears to be level with the surrounding deck or landscape, but it’s actually positioned so you can’t see the top. Looking at the pool from anywhere on the property, the edge appears invisible—you just see water flowing. From inside the pool, you see the landscape beyond without a visible edge interrupting the view.

The Collection Trough

Behind the visible edge (typically below grade on the landscape side) is a collection trough that catches the water flowing over. This trough must be precisely engineered:

The deck and edge must be perfectly level (within fractions of an inch)
The trough dimensions must match the water flow rate
The edge line must be perfectly straight
Proper slope ensures water flows into the collection trough, not sideways

Award-Winning Luxury Pool Designers

#1 Honors in 2014 & 2015
Ranked Top 10 Pool Builders for 12 Consecutive Years
We design and build breathtaking custom pools and outdoor environments that transform homes into private resorts.

Why Infinity Pools Are Technically Demanding

Building an infinity pool isn’t just about digging a hole and pouring concrete. Multiple factors have to be perfectly aligned:

Precision Construction The pool edge must be level to within 1/4 inch across the entire edge line. Any deviation is visible—it breaks the infinity effect. This requires:

  • Precise excavation and leveling
  • Careful concrete finishing
  • Exact specification adherence
  • Professional monitoring throughout construction
Edge Material Selection The visible edge material affects both function and appearance. Options include:
  • Pavers or natural stone
  • Concrete with specific finish
  • Coping material that’s both attractive and functional
The edge material must be level, durable, and complement your landscape aesthetically.

Trough Engineering The collection trough dimensions must be calculated based on:

  • Pool dimensions and edge length
  • Expected water flow rate
  • Evaporation rates in Arizona’s desert climate
  • Pump and circulation capacity


Too small a trough, and water overflows incorrectly. Too large, and water collects visibly instead of creating the continuous effect.

Circulation System Design The Pentair equipment must be sized to:

  • Circulate enough water to maintain the continuous flow effect
  • Filter effectively despite high flow rates
  • Maintain proper chemical balance
  • Handle Arizona’s heat and mineral-heavy water
Slope and Grading The area beyond the edge must slope away from the pool so water in the trough flows properly. Slope, soil type, and drainage all factor into trough design.

Related Pools

Why Mossman Brothers Specializes in Infinity Pools

Over 33 years, Jeff Mossman has designed dozens of infinity pools. He understands:

  • How morning and afternoon light affects water surfaces and creates the vanishing-edge effect
  • How landscape views integrate with pool design—positioning the pool so the best views align with the infinity edge
  • How architectural style influences infinity pool design—contemporary homes get minimal-edge infinity designs, while Mediterranean homes might feature more decorative edge treatments
  • How Arizona’s topography and landscape integrate with infinity pool design

Mike Mossman has built dozens of infinity pools. He understands:

  • The precision required in concrete work and edge construction
  • How to engineer the collection trough correctly for Arizona conditions
  • Equipment selection and sizing for negative-edge pools
  • How to coordinate the multiple trades (concrete, plumbing, electrical) so everything aligns perfectly
  • Troubleshooting: if something doesn’t work perfectly post-completion, fixing it
This expertise shows in our award-winning infinity pool portfolio.

Infinity Pool Design Variations

Not all infinity pools look the same. Jeff develops custom designs based on your property, view, architectural style, and vision:

Here's the engineering:

Single-Edge Infinity One edge of the pool appears to disappear—typically the edge with the best view. This might face mountains, desert landscape, or property views. Single-edge infinity pools often work when budget or property shape makes all-edge infinity impractical.
Multi-Edge InfinityTwo, three, or all four edges appear to disappear. This is more complex and more expensive (typically $120,000-$500,000+) but creates a fully immersive effect where the pool appears to merge completely with the landscape.
Infinity with SpaAn infinity pool with an attached infinity spa at one end. The spa edge aligns with the pool edge, creating a cohesive design. Spas add functionality (hydrotherapy, soaking) while maintaining the infinity aesthetic.
Infinity with Water Feature An infinity pool with a sheer descent waterfall or other water feature integrated into the design. Water cascades from the feature, creating visual interest and sound.
Infinity in Different Shapes While infinity edges are often straight, we’ve designed curved, organic, and geometric infinity pools. The shape of the pool combined with the infinity edge creates different effects.

Infinity Pool Aesthetics in Scottsdale

Scottsdale’s landscape and architectural context makes infinity pools particularly effective:
Mountain Views Many Paradise Valley and North Scottsdale properties have views of Camelback Mountain, Mummy Mountain, or other peaks. Positioning the infinity edge to align with these views creates stunning visual effects. The water appears to flow into the mountains.
Desert Landscape Arizona’s native desert landscape—saguaro cacti, desert shrubs, natural stone—integrates beautifully with infinity pool design. The water becomes another landscape element rather than an interruption.
Architectural Styles From contemporary to Mediterranean to Tuscan, infinity pools complement Scottsdale’s diverse architectural styles. The clean infinity edge works with contemporary homes; the same technical approach can create more ornate edges for traditional styles.
Large-Lot Properties Many luxury Scottsdale homes sit on multi-acre properties. Infinity pools take advantage of this space—positioning the pool to frame views and integrate with the landscape at scale.

Infinity Pool Costs

Custom infinity pools in Scottsdale typically range from $120,000 to $500,000+, depending on:

Size: Larger pools cost more (more concrete, more material, longer edge)

Number of edges: Single-edge infinity costs less than multi-edge

Design complexity: Simple rectangular infinity is less complex than curved or organic shapes

Features: Water features, fire features, spas, and lighting add cost

Landscape integration: Extensive landscaping and hardscape add to the project

A mid-range infinity pool (3,000-4,000 sq ft, single large edge, basic features) typically costs $150,000-$250,000. Premium infinity pools with multiple features can exceed $400,000.
We provide detailed pricing after design development so you understand exactly what you’re investing in.

Maintenance Considerations for Infinity Pools

Professional maintenance is particularly valuable for infinity pools because of the additional equipment complexity. Many infinity pool owners arrange monthly or bi-weekly professional maintenance to ensure systems stay optimized.

Infinity pools have slightly different maintenance considerations than traditional pools:

Trough Maintenance The collection trough must stay clean so water flows properly. Regular skimming removes leaves and debris before they fall into the trough. If trough gets clogged, water doesn’t recirculate properly.
Water Level Water level is more critical than in traditional pools because it affects the infinity effect. The automatic fill system maintains level, but you should monitor it weekly to ensure it’s functioning.
Edge Inspection Check the edge regularly for any visible deterioration. Small issues caught early are cheaper to fix than allowing problems to develop.
Circulation System The pump in an infinity system runs frequently to maintain the continuous flow effect. Monitor for any changes in flow or unusual noises.
Chemical Balance Arizona’s mineral-heavy water requires careful chemical management, as with all pools. Maintain proper chemical balance to prevent surface deposits.

Infinity Pool Financing

Infinity pools are significant investments. Financing options include:
We can discuss financing during your design consultation and provide referrals to lenders familiar with pool project financing.

Why Infinity Pools Matter

An infinity pool isn’t just a status symbol or luxury item (though it certainly elevates property value). It’s a design choice that reflects how you want to experience your property.

If you want your backyard to feel like a resort retreat—a place where the pool integrates seamlessly with the landscape and creates a sense of escape—an infinity pool delivers that experience. Every time you look out at your pool, you see landscape and water merging, not a pool separate from the environment.

That’s why we’ve designed dozens of infinity pools and why the ones we’ve built have won multiple World’s Greatest Pools awards. We understand that an infinity pool is more than engineering—it’s creating a visual experience that transforms how you experience your property. 

Is an Infinity Pool Right for Your Property?

  • Your property has a landscape or view worth framing
  • You have adequate space for the edge and collection system
  • Your home’s architecture suits a modern/architectural aesthetic (though we can design infinity pools for traditional homes too)
  • Your budget allows for the investment (typically $120,000+)
  • You’re committed to maintaining the system properly


During your design consultation, Jeff will evaluate whether an infinity pool makes sense for your specific property or if another design style might be better suited.

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