Swimming pool liners for above-ground pools

This page offers basic guidance regarding swimming pool characteristics and liner suitability for leisure pools that are built above the ground, i.e. above-ground and semi-above-ground swimming pools (and all variations there of).

Characteristics of an above-ground or semi-above-ground pool

An above-ground swimming pool is a cheap and easy to install alternative to a standard in-ground swimming pool.

Above-ground pools can have either, the entire pool structure above (and resting on) the finished level of the ground on which they are located, or they can be partially submerged, i.e. with part of the pool structure being submerged below the ground and part of the pool structure projecting above the ground.

This kind of pool can be purchased as a complete unit and it requires little in the way of site preparation and no significant building work.

There are however some disadvantages to this kind of swimming pool. The first is that they require vertical access to climb up to, and into, the pool, and the second is that the internal and external aesthetics of these pools are very poor.

These negative features can however be significantly improved, if not eradicated altogether, by applying a couple of clever design measures.

Firstly, the above-ground appearance of the swimming pool can be disguised by building an elevated decking area around the pool, and at the same height as the pool. This gives the impression that the swimming pool is in fact an in-ground pool.

Secondly, the internal look and feel of the swimming pool can be enhanced by fitting a swimming pool liner. A good swimming pool liner can add a more up-market aesthetic to the pool and provide a pleasing and tactile quality to the surface finish. It will also extend the pool's life.

When both of these measures are taken, and applied with some forethought, an above-ground, or semi-above-ground pool can actually take on the appearance of a fully submerged in-ground swimming pool.

Liners suitable for above-ground swimming pools

From the perspective of selecting a swimming pool liner, both an above-ground and a semi-above-ground swimming pool should be considered as “above-ground” pools.

Unlike below-ground pools, above-ground pools (and their variations) can be fitted with both beaded or overlap swimming pool liners.

Beaded swimming pool liners

A beaded liner requires the fitting of a track, just below the top of the pool's walls, into which the beaded top edge of the swimming pool liner is fed or clipped into place. This liner fitting system is the same as that used for conventional in-ground swimming pools. It gives a high quality look to the pool.

Beaded liners are available in a massive range of colours, patterns and styles with lots of different variations when it comes to features like decorative borders.

The beaded liner that you would use in an above-ground swimming pool would be the same as that which you would use in an equivalent in-ground swimming pool.

Overlap swimming pool liners

An overlap liner does exactly what its name suggests. The liner is taken over the top of the swimming pool's walls where it is secured with a coping strip (and-or clips) and finished off with a top rail. The liner physically overlaps the top edge of the swimming pool – hence its name.

This kind of liner is generally cheaper than a beaded liner and, although easier to fit than a beaded liner, is available in fewer colours and designs.

The overlap liner is often perceived as being the poorer relative of the beaded liner, partly beacuse of cost and design and colour availability, but also beacuse they will not work on the more expensive in-ground swimming pools.

Which kind of swimming pool liner should you choose

Whatever variation you may have on an above-ground swimming pool, you should invest in a swimming pool liner. That said, there are different considerations that may affect the choice of pool liner that you select.

If price is a critical factor and budget is limited, an overlap swimming pool liner will usually be cheaper to buy and to fit than a beaded liner.

Beaded swimming pool liners are more popular and have applications in both in-ground and above-ground pools. For this reason there are more beaded liner manufacturers and stockists and this increases the choices of available colours and patterns.

A beaded swimming pool liner requires the fitting of a track to the inner walls of the swimming pool. This may be an extra cost, either at pool purchase, or during liner installation.

Overlap liners are quicker to install, but have a less professional appearance and, if the exterior surface of the pool in not enclosed, they can look cheap if poorly finished.

Swimming pool liner gauge (i.e. the thickness of the vinyl) is often limited to the thinner gauges with overlap liners (although this is not always the case).

If your swimming pool liner is a replacement for an old liner, then the previous liner may play a part in determining the selection that you make. If a track is already present, then it makes sense to replace an old beaded liner with a new beaded liner.

Some above ground pools may not be suitable for a beaded liner. i.e. It may not be possible to fit a beaded liner track to the swimming pool.

For more information, prices and details of swimming pool liner suppliers, take a look at the advertisement on this and all pages of the site.