Vinyl Liner Buying Guide

Vinyl-lined pools have a tremendous range of options for customization that fiberglass and concrete simply can’t offer. The sheer number of shapes, sizes, colors, patterns, and textures available with this type of liner can be overwhelming. 

This comprehensive vinyl-liner buying guide is complete with details and suggestions regarding all of the different options you’ll have when choosing a new liner. For more help choosing a liner to meet your yard’s unique needs, make sure to give us a call.

 

 

Vinyl Liner Color Options

You might not think that color matters much at all when it comes to your pool’s liner, but it can make a tremendous difference in the visual appeal of your whole property.

 

Black Pool Liners

An all-black liner has a cool and mysterious appeal to it that creates the illusion of a deeper pool. It does a fantastic job of hiding all of the hard-to-clean dirt and debris that can collect on the bottom of the pool, and it keeps stains and scratches well hidden.

 

Dark Blue Pool Liners

Dark blue is easily the most popular color of vinyl liner, probably because it’s the most water-like of them all. It doesn’t have the specific mystique that black offers, but it does offer some of the same masking abilities when it comes to dirt, debris, stains, and scratches. However, the blue color will fade and become brighter after being exposed to sunlight for long enough. 

One more aspect that’s worth noting with dark-blue vinyl liners is that they absorb sunlight very well, which can make your pool warmer.

 

Light Blue Pool Liners

Light-blue liners are also very popular. They give your pool and yard a brighter appeal and can match your property better if your aesthetic is bright in general. While they do show dirt, debris, stains, and scratches more clearly, they are less susceptible to bleaching than dark-blue liners.

 

Sand Color Pool Liners

If you’re looking for the trendiest of all pool liner colors, then sand may be the one for you. Sand-colored liners are bright and eye-catching, and they’re rising in popularity. However, they do have the same issues as light-blue liners when it comes to showing imperfections and dirt that accumulates over time.

 

Vinyl Liner Textures

Liner texture is a detail that is no doubt overlooked by many people — until they’re the ones installing a pool. Stability and comfort are the two factors you will have to balance when choosing a texture for your pool liner. Consider the following options:

Rough Texture

A rough texture may sound sort of unpleasant, and in fact, it can damage the skin in certain circumstances. However, it also allows for greater grip and stability and, therefore, a safer pool experience for some.

 

Smooth Texture

A smooth texture feels much better on the skin, but it can also make your pool slick and a little precarious for those who have difficulty supporting themselves when moving about. 

 

Vinyl Liner Patterns

Once you have selected a liner color, the next step is to take a look at the pattern options available in that color. There’s a wide variety of them, so you can have fun choosing the pattern that speaks to you. It’s up to what you think suits your pool and your property’s overall aesthetic best. 

One factor to keep in mind when you are choosing a pattern is that the border is actually less important than the floor pattern, even though borders are typically more intricately designed and more likely to jump out at you when you’re selecting a pattern. 

Your floor pattern is what you’re going to see the most, and borders can even be cut off when the liner is installed.

Up close of vinyl pool.

Vinyl Liner Thickness

There’s a fairly large range of thicknesses to choose from with vinyl liners. The standard is 20 mm, but some manufacturers offer liners that are anywhere from 27 mm to 30 mm thick. So what’s the difference? 

Thinner liners have more elasticity to them, so they offer an easier fit during installation. Thicker liners can provide extra protection against tears and punctures. If you have some special circumstances, it may be worth speaking to an expert to find the best solution, but it is our experience that a 20mm liner is more than durable for most residential pool installations.

 

Choosing Your Pool Liner Is an Important Decision

While there are some functional aspects to consider, the liner you choose is mostly going to depend on your personal taste. Don’t stress too much and find something that fits your style and decor.

If you have any other questions or if you need help deciding, contact WCI Pools & Spas today to speak with one of our experts.