Above Ground Swimming Pool Liner

Vinyl Swimming Pool Liners

But hey, it’s your pool and you should get what you want, right?

Almost 70% of all above ground swimming pools in the country have these easy and durable vinyl swimming pool liners to protect their pool surface from the harsh Summer rays, chemicals, and other things you and Mother Nature throws at it. Vinyl is the most popular choice of many inground swimming pool liners.

A vinyl swimming pool liner is meant to last, but don’t kid yourself. They are susceptible to decay, tears, rips, scratches, and all sorts of bump and bruises. A really good above ground swimming pool liner should last, at minimum, 10 years using the proper pool tips.

When looking for an above ground swimming pool liner, it’s just as important to think about function as it is style. With many patterns and designs available, you won’t have a shortage of choices to set the tone for your pool.

What To Look For in Vinyl Swimming Pool Liners

Your first step should be the type swimming pool liner you want. Most above ground swimming pools are set up to have a beaded or overlap pool liner.The main difference is how they are installed to the top of the wall.

Beaded liners will have a groove that goes along the liner's top edge with clips that snap into a track, also known as the "bead receiver" and that goes along the top inside edge of the pool's wall.

If you have an above ground swimming pool designed for a beaded liner, you'll be able to see the track under the top rail on the inside of the pool.

The other kind of above ground swimming pool liner is the overlap liner. With these vinyl swimming pool liners, you'll need to remove the pool's top railing and drapethe fabric over the pool's walls. Use plastic clips to hold the liner in place. After this, simply install the top rails and trim any excess liner hanging down on the outside of the pool's walls. Pretty easy and straight forward.

J Hook or UniBeaded pool liners are made specifically for the size of your pool. If you have a swimming pool that is 42″, then the liner must be 42″.

There is no extra vinyl swimming pool liner so make sure you're getting the right size. It would really be a pain to get the thing home only to realize it's the wrong size.

If you're in the market for discount pool liners just be careful in getting the right size and color for your pool.

How About Quality And Price?

So, you're a smart shopper, but now you need to think about quality and prices. Well, this is where we need to make some serious decisions.

You can get an above ground swimming pool liner in many different grades. This simply means the thickness and durability. Of course a thicker above ground swimming pool liner will be more durable and able to withstand more of a punishment. But a thicker liner will also be more expensive. This is also true for inground swimming pool liners. When choosing a liner, keep in mind your budget and buy according to your means. Also, be sure to keep your above ground swimming pool liner clean and tidy. You may hear the word "Gauge" or "Mil."" when buying an above ground swimming pool liner. This is simply the thickness of the liner; the higher the gauge the thicker the liner.

After you have figured out the type, shape and size that your new liner will need to be, it's time to start thinking about quality and price ranges. If you choose to have a vinyl liner in your swimming pool, you need to know they are available in a number of different grades. The various grades refer to the thickness and durability of the liner.

Naturally, the thicker the liner, the more likely it is to withstand wear and tear and last longer. However, thicker vinyl swimming pool liners will also be more expensive.

Although it's typically worth it to invest a little more in a durable liner, everyone has a different budget and should choose according to their needs and means. The grade or thickness of a liner is usually presented as its gauge. The higher the gauge, the thicker the liner.

So What's The Difference?

Glad you asked. A "Gauge" or "Mil." are both measurements of thickness. A liner that is 20Mil. will probably have a 20Mil. bottom and a 15Mil. side. A 20 gauge liner will usually have a 20Mil. bottom and a 20Mil. side.

So as you can see the 20 gauge liner will probably be a little thicker. The most popular gauges for an above ground swimming pool liner are 20 and 25.

The following chart can help.

Some Sizes and Prices

There are literally hundreds of patterns and styles from which to choose. This is not a complete list, but will give you an idea of what's available.

Can I Get Any Style Above Ground Swimming Pool Liner I Want?

Good question. The answer is "kinda yes". There are many different styles. It's not like back in the day when you're relegated to a solid blue color.

You can always ask the company if they will install the liner for you. They all want your business, but you need to rememberthe correct size and shape of your pool to get the right fit.

Talk to your local pool supply company, or simply go online and look at the many different styles and colors of above ground swimming pool liners.

Ask The Right Questions

1. What's the price? Is that the best you can do? There are others out there I like, you know?
2. Installation cost?
3. What's the maintenance? What do I need and why? Will you take care of that or do I?
4. What's the warranty? What does it cover and not cover? I need to see specifics.
5. Do you install it or do you have a sub-contractor? Is he licensed and insured? Is he experienced in these kinds of liners? I need to see proof.
6. What are the safety features? What would happen if one of the safety features fail? If it does fail, who is responsible?
7. If it fails, who will fix it? Will you fix it, or do you contract that out to someone else? Who is it? Why do you use them? How long have they worked with you?
8. How about free delivery? I want that in writing.
9. How do you resolve complaints?
10. Are you part of the Better Business Bureau or the National Spa and Pool Institute? Have you had an excessive number of complaints?
Call the Better Business Bureau to verify
11. How long has your crew been working for you?
12. How much experience do they having installing my kind of liner?
13. If it rips, will you take care of the swimming pool liner repair?
14. Do you have a high turn-over rate? If so, why and what specifically is the training?
15. Do you offer financing? Is that the best rate you have? I bet I could get a better rate somewhere else.
16. I'd like to have references

I think buying a brand spankin' new above ground swimming pool liner is like getting a new car. The smell and feel of that liner when it's being installed, filling up the pool, then jumping in and letting the smoothness glide under your feet.

Oh yeah, Summer is great, isn't it?

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