boulder cascade
best for: most pools · natural lookStacked boulders with water stepping down two levels. A natural look that suits most backyards.
Rock waterfalls · Greater Philadelphia
rock waterfalls, sculpted for your pool.
Artificial rock waterfalls, grottos and spa spillovers, hand-shaped and colored to look like natural stone. We build them with new pools or add them to the pool you already have.
choose your waterfall style
Pick the style closest to what you have in mind. We place it in a 3D model of your backyard at your free consult and shape the final size, height and stone color with you.
grotto
best for: larger pools · a showpieceA rock cave with a sheet of water across the opening, so you can swim in behind the falls.
sheer ledge
best for: modern meets naturalA flat stone ledge that pours a clean, wide curtain of water between natural rocks.
rock wall spillover
best for: existing pools · long edgesA low wall of rock along the pool edge with several small falls. One of the easiest to add to an existing pool.
rock spa spillover
best for: pool and spa combosA raised spa wrapped in rock that spills into the pool below.
mountain falls
best for: sloped yards · large backyardsA tall rock formation with water dropping over several tiers. The biggest statement in the yard.
Good to know: every waterfall we build is custom. These six styles are starting points, and many yards combine two of them, like a grotto with a spa spillover beside it.
our work
A hand-sculpted rock waterfall we built at a backyard pool in the Philadelphia area, from bare frame to finished stone.
your pick—
Book a free 3D consultwhy add a rock waterfall
A waterfall turns a pool into the center of the yard.
sound
Falling water covers road and neighbor noise and makes the yard feel calmer.
a focal point
Rock gives the pool a natural backdrop and hides fences, equipment or a plain wall.
uses a slope
A sloped yard becomes a feature instead of a problem. The grade is built into the falls.
night lighting
LED lights behind or under the falls make the water glow after dark.
moving water
Water spilling into the pool keeps the surface moving and pushes debris toward the skimmers.
play
Grottos and ledges give kids, and adults, a place to swim behind and under the water.
concrete, GFRC or fiberglass rock?
Artificial rock is made three main ways. We recommend one based on the size of the waterfall, your yard and your pool.
hand-sculpted concrete
A steel and mesh frame is covered in concrete, then carved and stained by hand on site. The strongest option, and every rock is one of a kind. Best for large waterfalls and grottos.
GFRC
Glass-fiber reinforced concrete is cast in molds taken from real rock, so it shows true stone texture. Panels are thinner and much lighter than solid concrete.
fiberglass rock
Lightweight molded panels that install quickly. A good fit for smaller spillovers and tight spaces.
Rock waterfalls work with both concrete pools and fiberglass pools. On a concrete pool, the waterfall can be tied into the pool structure. On a fiberglass pool, it sits on its own footing behind the coping, so the shell carries no extra weight. Read more in our guide to concrete, GFRC and fiberglass rock.
how we build a rock waterfall
Every step is done by our team, in this order.
3d design
We place your waterfall style in a 3D model of your pool and yard and adjust it until it is right.
footing & plumbing
A reinforced footing, plus a water line and valve from the equipment. Larger falls get their own pump.
frame & shape
Steel and mesh, or GFRC panels, set the size and outline of each rock.
sculpt & carve
Concrete is applied and carved by hand with cracks, ledges and texture.
color & seal
Layered stains give natural color variation, then a sealer protects the surface.
water on
We tune the flow, set the lighting and show you how to run it.
rock waterfall questions
Can you add a rock waterfall to my existing pool?
In most cases, yes. We build the rock on its own footing beside the pool and run a new water line from your equipment. Some coping or decking may need to be opened up and repaired.
Does a waterfall need its own pump?
Small spillovers can often run off the pool pump with a valve. Larger falls and grottos usually get a dedicated pump so you get the flow you want without hurting filtration. We size it with the pool hydraulics.
Can I add a rock waterfall to a fiberglass pool?
Yes. The waterfall is built on a separate footing behind the coping, so no weight rests on the fiberglass shell.
How do you keep artificial rock from looking fake?
Real rock texture from molds or hand carving, rocks in different sizes, layered stains instead of one flat color, and planting around the base. We show you color samples before staining.
Does artificial rock hold up in Pennsylvania winters?
Concrete and GFRC rock built on a proper footing and sealed are made for outdoor use through freeze and thaw. The waterfall line is winterized together with the pool when we close it.
Will a waterfall make me lose more water?
A little. Moving water evaporates faster than still water. We shape the falls so the water lands in the pool and not on the deck.