Important Features of Pool Liners for Above Ground Swimming Pools
Overview
There are a number of things to think about for your pool liner if you’re getting a new above-ground swimming pool, or if you’ve gotten to the point where your current swimming pool needs a new pool liner.
The things that you’ll want to consider are whether or not you’re going to install it yourself, what features you want it to have, and what accessories you might want to get to extend the life of the pool liner.
Types of Pool Liners
Above ground swimming pool liners are typically made of vinyl. The biggest question to answer is the type of connector the liner has for attaching to the top of the pool, and the features that you want the pool liner to have.
There are four basic types of liners – Overlap, Beaded, Unibead and Expandable. The Overlap liner is so named because the edge of the liner comes up and over the edge of the pool. It then needs to be fastened with a coping strip. These strips may need to be replaced periodically. But this style of liner is less expensive than the beaded or unibead types.
Beaded liners have an attachment at the top of the liner that clicks into place at the top of the pool into the bead receiver. This is a very elegant looking connection, and can be made to look very decorative.
Unibead liners can be used as either a beaded liner or an overlap liner as needed. These liners are also very decorative.
Expandable liners are designed primarily to work in oval pools, and can be used to expand into ‘deep end or areas’ of such pools. Expandable liners usually end up with wrinkles in them when you install them yourself.
Features of Pool Liners
Some of the most important things to think about as you establish your budget for your new pool liner is the list of features that will affect your price:
- The thickness of the vinyl that your liner is made from – 20 or 25 guage
- UV and swimming pool chemical protection – these are usually ‘baked’ in to the vinyl and will determine the overall life time of your liner
- What kind of connector you want your liner to have. This will potentially depend on the type of pool you have.
- What kind of pattern/decoration you want your pool to have.
Make your checklist
Taking a little time to think about what you really want will help to make the right choice about your next pool liner.
photo credit: audreyjm529
Tags: above ground swimming pool, pool liner, pool liners, swimming pool chemicals
pool liners | Frankie | 
August 27, 2009 3:04 pm
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