This is the Sub-Assembly only and all Sub-Assemblies come with Skimmer and Return.
15' Round Ultimate pools with White Aluminum Coping are perfect for Do-It-Yourselfers because the entire pool was designed to be installed by people who like to do things themselves and save money. The Round shaped pool carries a Lifetime Warranty against rust on the entire steel panel system. They can be installed above the ground, semi-inground or entirely in the ground if you’d prefer. All of the pool kit packages come with all products and accessories to build, assemble and operate the Ultimate Pool. Upgrade Options are available.
If you have a sloping yard, the pool can be installed in the slope where part of the pool is above ground and another part of the pool may be completely in ground. The area where the pool is to be installed just needs to be virgin flat ground. That’s all there is to it. Each Ultimate pool customer will receive a direct technical contact phone number should there by any questions at any time during the pool installation process.
Ultimate pools are protected with ZAM. ZAM is the most effective non-corrosive coating for steel panels in the industry. ZAM is a hot-dip coated steel sheet that has a layer of Zinc, 6% Aluminum, and 2% Magnesium. The effects of magnesium and aluminum together allow our ZAM coated panels to have excellent corrosion resistance, scratch resistance, and formability. ZAM offers superior protection against corrosion on Salt Generator Pools, up to 5x's more effective than standard galvanization. It also offers increased protection when servicing areas with a high water table or acidic ground conditions. Cardinal's ZAM coated steel is covered by a lifetime, 1-time transferable warranty.
For years, the Ultimate pool used an epoxy powder coat finish to help protect the steel structure. That finish served its purpose, but Cardinal has now moved the Ultimate line to ZAM-coated steel panels and buttresses. The reason is simple: ZAM is not just a surface finish - it is a zinc-aluminum-magnesium coated steel designed to provide stronger, longer-term protection against corrosion, scratches, and everyday environmental wear.
Why does that matter to a pool owner? Pool walls live in a demanding environment, with moisture, soil contact, seasonal changes, splash-out, and often salt-system exposure. Cardinal says ZAM offers superior corrosion protection and specifically calls out benefits for salt generator pools, high water tables, and acidic ground conditions. Wheeling-Nippon Steel also describes ZAM as a coating that forms a fine protective film over time, helping protect the steel surface and even cut edges more effectively in harsh environments.
In practical terms, this change represents an
upgrade from a protective finish to a more advanced corrosion-resistant steel system. For the Ultimate pool buyer, that means added confidence in the long-term durability of the pool structure. It is a meaningful product improvement, not just a cosmetic change, and it helps position the Ultimate as a stronger long-haul choice for above ground, semi-inground, and inground installation applications.
ZAM Benefits:
- SUPERIOR TO OTHER LIKE PRODUCTS
ZAM's unique chemical composition of Zn, Al and Mg combines to form a firm coating layer. This unique coating develops thin film byproducts unlike that of competitors, that are remarkably corrosion resistant—even over cut edges.
- ECO-FRIENDLY
ZAM's corrosion resistance will allow customers to significantly reduce coating thickness which benefits the environment. Specifically, reducing coating thickness effectively decreases the amount of minerals mined from the earth, reduces harmful runoff dispersed into the soil, and reduces coating residue at steel recycling plants.
- PROTECTION ON CUT EDGES
When the ZAM coating layer corrodes in the rain, Zn and Mg flow over the cut edge. These elements form a fine zinc-based protective film that helps ensure a long product life even against harsh elements.
ZAM - Key Protective Mechanisms
ZAM is renowned for "self-healing" cut edges, making it superior to traditional Galvalume or Galvanized coatings in harsh conditions:
- Self-Healing Cut Edges: When the steel is cut, drilled, or scratched, moisture causes Zn and Mg from the surrounding coating to flow over the exposed steel edge. This creates a fine, tenacious film that locks down the area and prevents red rust.
- Superior Corrosion Resistance: ZAM suppresses red rust far longer than Galvanized steel (GI) or Galvalume (GL), even after thousands of hours of salt spray tests.
- High Alkaline/Chemical Resistance: The coating excels in harsh conditions, such as near agricultural livestock (due to ammonia resistance) and marine environments (high chloride resistance).
Advantages Over Traditional Coatings (GI/GL)
- Longer Lifespan: Offers a significantly longer service life than traditional galvanization, often exceeding 30+ years, even in coastal environments.
- Lower Maintenance & Cost: While upfront costs may be higher, lower maintenance and less need for post-painting or post-dip coating make it more economical over its life.
- Eco-Friendly: Allows for a thinner coating to achieve higher protection, resulting in less zinc consumption and reduced environmental runoff.
- Better Formability: The coating is harder yet more flexible, resisting cracks during bending, drawing, or stamping.
