The idyllic garden plot in Ansbach, Middle Franconia, brings its owners pure bliss in the countryside. The crystal-clear natural pond invites you to swim, and the sundeck under the green canopy provides ample space for relaxation. To ensure this idyllic setting doesn't degenerate into work, attention was paid to low-maintenance and durable materials and resilient planting during planning and construction. Robust WPC decking from Naturinform, used as a deck and walkway covering, emphasizes the natural character of the private natural pond, requiring only the necessary maintenance.

Lush greenery, clear water, an inviting sun deck – a private garden in Ansbach, Middle Franconia, was transformed into a relaxing garden oasis. The family who acquired the property a few years ago wanted nothing less than a functional, low-maintenance, and aesthetically pleasing retreat with a swimming pond. The focus was on nature without becoming a burden. The garden and landscaping company Wüst Nagala realized the project with a well-thought-out concept that harmoniously combined high-quality materials, functional technology, and climate-adapted planting.

The starting point: a lot of potential, but no substance

When Manfred and Marcel Wüst, third- and fourth-generation gardeners and landscapers at Wüst Nagala, first inspected the garden, it was immediately clear to them: Something was wrong. The pond liner was leaking, the water was cloudy, and the filter system was defective. The dock and wooden deck wobbled with every step, and after just two years, the surface had turned gray, splintered, and was unsightly.

Therefore, the goal was quickly defined: The existing natural pond was to be transformed into a functioning, low-maintenance swimming pond with a robust, durable deck and walkway. The clients wanted a sustainable solution—ecological, functional, and with minimal maintenance.  

Concept and implementation: Everything from a single source

The contract included the renovation of the entire facility: replacing the filter system, renewing the wooden components, stabilizing the subsoil, adding new plants, laying turf, and installing electrical and water lines. The clients placed their full trust in Wüst Nagala's expertise and entrusted their garden project entirely to their hands.

Robust by  – For strong performances around water

Particular attention was paid to the choice of new decking around the pond. Since the building owners had had poor experiences with the original wooden decking, it was clear from the start: a durable, weather-resistant alternative was needed – one that wouldn't require annual sanding or oiling. Horticultural expert Marcel Wüst relied on proven quality, with which the company had already had very positive experiences, in his recommendation. "We have been working with  for years and have never had a single complaint – unfortunately, that's not a given with other manufacturers," he emphasizes. Because installation near water is not easy, he sought advice from 's field service, which recommended the solid WPC decking Robust. The robust decking is water-resistant, slip-resistant, and particularly durable. The building owners opted for brown – a natural, warm color that blends harmoniously into the green surroundings.

Visually and tactilely almost indistinguishable from real wood, Robust offers all the advantages of a modern wood composite material. Its surface is finely brushed, and the grain resembles natural wood planks – warm, natural, and high-quality. But the difference lies in the details: While traditional wood can swell, crack, and splinter outdoors under the influence of water and weather, Robust remains permanently dimensionally stable and is barefoot-friendly.

In a TÜV Rheinland test, it achieved slip resistance class R10 according to DIN 51130 – a crucial safety aspect for all barefoot areas around the pond. This is made possible by the special material combination: During production, a thermoplastic polymer coats each individual wood fiber. This prevents water from penetrating the material – it can neither swell nor crack. At the same time, the warm look and thermal feel of wood are preserved, as the material is approximately 70 percent wood.

Easy-care, durable and sustainable

The floorboards also impress with their easy maintenance in everyday life: Usually, simply spraying the floorboards with water is sufficient; for heavier dirt, a pressure washer is a good solution. Thanks to its 21-millimeter thickness, Robust is suitable not only for private gardens but also for heavily frequented public areas.

Unlike wood products,  floorboards do not require the use of environmentally harmful and health-damaging chemicals to maintain them. Fungicides and pesticides are also avoided in the production of the floorboards and façade profiles. Furthermore, all  WPC products are 100 percent recyclable. A dedicated return system takes them back after use and returns them to the manufacturing process. This ensures that these valuable raw materials can remain in the material cycle for more than 600 years.

Complex challenges mastered confidently

The project's greatest structural challenge was the unstable substructure of the existing terrace. A provisional paving was laid on loosely laid stones without any connection to the pond liner – all of which provided little load-bearing capacity. On the advice of Wüst Nagala, the clients opted for a completely new solution: Special mats were laid to protect the liner, and smoothly sawn natural stones were fixed to them using underwater-compatible mortar. Once cured, the height-adjustable terrace feet (S) and a substructure made of aluminum base profiles from the system were installed. The boards were custom-cut, chamfered at the cut edges for maximum barefoot comfort, and invisibly stapled. Even small details were solved with the  accessory system: The fascia on the terrace was attached using terrace angles.

Close to nature and climate-resilient: Planting with a vision

When planting the swimming pond garden, great importance was placed on ensuring that the plants were year-round and ecologically sound, suited to our climate with alternating dry and wet periods, and at the same time, fostering biodiversity. Furthermore, they required as little maintenance as possible.

Many of the existing plants were preserved, but were deliberately supplemented with robust, climate-tolerant species. Yarrow, for example, found its place in the beds – it not only provides a striking splash of yellow color and is drought-resistant, but also promotes biodiversity in the garden. Another new addition was blue rue, whose silvery-green foliage and fragrant purple flowers are particularly popular with bees and butterflies. Cranesbill serves as a ground cover, with its pink flowers also acting as a natural weed suppressant.

Special attention was also paid to the newly created filtration zones in the pond. These not only contribute to water purification but are also a visual highlight. Lilies, with their large blooms and their algae-inhibiting effect, the striking zebra grass, which brings oxygen into the water and supports pond balance, and the native frog's-bit, whose ecological properties contribute to stabilizing the water cycle, have thrived here ever since. This thoughtful selection of plants has created a harmonious combination of garden design and ecological benefits – low-maintenance, resilient, and lastingly beautiful.

Wüst Nagala: Tradition meets modern garden vision

Wüst Nagala, based in Schweinsdorf near Rothenburg ob der Tauber, looks back on a nearly 100-year history. Founded in 1926 as a masonry business, the company's current focus is on sophisticated garden design using natural stone elements – from the company's own natural stone works. Under the leadership of Manfred Wüst and with his son Marcel as a fourth-generation landscape gardener, the company is increasingly dedicated to climate- and species-friendly garden design. A total of seven employees work passionately on creating green oases for their customers.

Save time with the terrace configurator

Marcel Wüst used 's patio configurator to plan the patio – a significant relief for the landscaper. The configurator enabled him to plan precisely to size and automatically calculate the appropriate accessories. The resulting material list forms the basis for his quotation and smooth material procurement.

Implementation took almost five months – from June until completion in autumn 2023. Together with his team, Marcel Wüst created a project close to his heart: "It was a dream project for us. The client had complete confidence in our work; we were able to use only high-quality materials and plants that we felt good about and knew were good for the climate and nature and would last a lifetime."

The collaboration with  also ran smoothly as usual, with competent advice at the beginning, punctual deliveries and a tailor-made system solution - everything came from a single source.

Conclusion: Nature meets quality – for a lifetime

The renovation of the swimming pond in Ansbach created a garden gem that combines sustainability, functionality, and aesthetics. Thanks to high-quality products such as the Robust WPC decking from , thoughtful planning, and skilled craftsmanship, a retreat was created that not only inspires today, but will continue to delight tomorrow – with minimal maintenance yet maximum recreational value.

The garden's owners are also convinced of this: "We used to sweat in the garden, but now we swim with great pleasure! Since the pond was renovated, our green paradise is not only beautiful but also extremely relaxing: no more painting, no splinters, no hassle – just sunbathing and relaxing. That's what makes a garden truly enjoyable!"

 offers products for DGNB-certified construction. All  decking and facade profiles are provided with Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) prepared in accordance with international standards. All products are continuously subjected to quality controls and stress tests to ensure consistently flawless and first-class wood-based material quality.