Keeping the pool looking good in winter

If you are putting in a pool, you have three main choices when it comes to liners: vinyl liners, concrete or fibreglass. There are distinct advantages and disadvantages to each of these types of liners, but the final choice depends on your unique situation. Here are five signs you should choose a vinyl liner.

1. You Want to Save Money

Generally, vinyl liners are less expensive than their fibreglass or concrete counterparts. If your main objective is to get a pool but your budget isn't huge, you should consider vinyl.

If you are worried about the pool looking cheap, there are a few steps you can take to make it look more luxurious. First, don't let the stairs be a different colour than the liner—many pool owners make this mistake by putting in concrete stairs with a vinyl liner. Instead, put a vinyl cover over those areas.

Also, if you're worried about the appearance of the metal band that holds the liner in place, consider replacing it with concrete. Work with your pool designer to accommodate small shifts like that—it wouldn't drastically increase your budget, and aesthetically, it will make a big difference.

2. You Want Relatively Low Maintenance

Upfront costs aren't the only ones to consider. You also need to think about long term maintenance and repairs. Fibreglass offers the lowest levels of maintenance, but vinyl is close behind.

You can repair small rips on your own by injecting a liquid vinyl patching material into the area. In most cases, vinyl liners last for eight to twelve years (and sometimes even longer) without needing serious replacements. In contrast, concrete lasts longer, but it may need to be resurfaced annually which can increase maintenance costs.   

3. You Want a Smooth Finish

Vinyl liners also feel smooth to the touch. You don't have to worry about the abrasive texture associated with concrete pools. That is ideal if you host a lot of children or pets in the pool. It's also ideal for hot tubs or pools where you plan to lounge around the sides, resting against the liners.

4. You Don't Need as Much Durability

Although vinyl liners are relatively low maintenance, they simply aren't as durable as concrete pools. If you have dogs who are likely to scratch the sides of the pool or kids who like to bang remote control boats against the sides of the pool, you may want the durability of concrete. If primarily adults are using the pool, you don't necessarily need that durability and may be fine choosing vinyl.

5. Your Water Table Is Safely Below the Pool

You may also want to take into account the level of your water table when choosing a vinyl liner. If your water table is too high, that can cause the liner to separate from the bottom surface of the pool, and that can leave permanent bumps and wrinkles in the liner.

To find out about your water table level, you may want to do a core sample before you get started. Then, if the level is high, you may want to opt for a concrete liner—it's more effective at keeping the water at bay.

If you prefer a vinyl liner for aesthetic or budgetary reasons, you may want to consider a slightly elevated pool. If the pool stays above the water table, you don't have to worry about the water's impact on the liner. Alternatively, you may want to talk with the pool installer about putting a pump into the ground to keep the water at bay.

To talk more about your needs and find out if a vinyl liner is right for you, contact swimming pool builders.