I talked to different companies and there seem to be three options (Broadly)

1) Overflow

2) Skimmer System WITHOUT a room for pumps etc (JD - www.jdpools.com) - in this case a smaller room/box is directly next to the pool

3) Skimmer system with a room for pumps, filter etc (maybe smaller than full overflow system)

We do not mind the look and feel of the skimmer system (water level below edge of pool).

Any views would be much appreciated. Particularly on JD Pools system.

Martin

I have a pool with a skimmer system and pumphouse.

It works fine except during the cool season (November-December) when the wind blows from the opposite direction and the surface debris does not go into the skimmer box. Lesson: consider the prevailing wind direction.

If I build another pool in Thailand it would be an overflow type.

I designed my 3X18m lap pool with one long edge overflowing into a gutter. Most of the stuff that gets blown into or lands on the surface will float at least initially and gets quickly swept over the edge and into the sump tank in the pump house, and this really helps keep the pool clean. If you go this route I strongly recommend making the sump tank volume at least 10% of the pool volume, and it must have a generous overflow system as well to handle rainfall.

I talked to different companies and there seem to be three options (Broadly)

1) Overflow

2) Skimmer System WITHOUT a room for pumps etc (JD - www.jdpools.com) - in this case a smaller room/box is directly next to the pool

3) Skimmer system with a room for pumps, filter etc (maybe smaller than full overflow system)

We do not mind the look and feel of the skimmer system (water level below edge of pool).

Any views would be much appreciated. Particularly on JD Pools system.

Martin

an overflow pool does not need more space for pump and filter than a pool with skimmer. there is no difference except that an overflow system needs an additional (in all cases) underground tank. a single skimmer works of course but can never achieve the skimming efficiency of a partly or an all around overflow. the latter skims the surface even if the pump is not running when the pool is used. a personal preference is the water level, e.g. i like the sight of a "full" pool.

Does anybody have a picture of how a skimmer looks in the pool, I have no idea how this looks

I just wonder why a pool either needs an overflow or skimmer, is it just for cleaning purposes or has it another function as well?

Yes, the skimmer or overflow is for cleaning the surface of the water. A skimmer cannot compete with an overflow pool for surface cleaning performance, however the skimmer system is a bit cheaper (no gutter needed, no tank, etc). My preference is for an overflow pool, except in the case where we are building the pool on an upper story condo building. For example, we are now doing about 8 penthouse pools for a developer, these will be skimmer pools due to the limited space considerations.