Beaded swimming pool liners

Beaded swimming pool liners can be used with in-ground and above-ground swimming pools and all of the other swimming pool design configurations in between, e.g. semi-above-ground pools.

Beaded liners are the most popular style of swimming pool liner and they are generally regarded as superior to overlap liners, both in appearance and performance.

How a beaded swimming pool liner works

Unlike an overlap liner, which simply overlaps the top walls of a swimming pool and is secured in place by clips, a beaded liner uses a simple but effective mechanism to fasten the liner to the pool wall.

This system works by attaching a track around the inner perimeter of the swimming pool. This track is positioned above the "fill" level of the pool and a very short distance below the top of the swimming pool's walls.

The beaded liner, which is supplied with a small lip or groove along its edges, is then fed or clipped into this track and held in place. The result is a smooth clean connection between the pool and the liner. This connection is rarely noticed since its junction creates a natural termination of the liner at the top of the pool, and most in-ground swimming pools also have an over-hanging sill.

This type of liner, and its method of fitting, provides the most pleasing of visual effects and makes it almost impossible to differentiate a good quality vinyl swimming pool liner from a fully tiled swimming pool.

Liner choice – beaded or overlap

Because a beaded liner does not require an overhang beyond the top of the pool's walls, it is a system that works equally well on both in-ground and above-ground swimming pools.

If you have an in-ground swimming pool, then a beaded liner will be your only option.

If you have an above-ground swimming pool, then a beaded liner will usually offer a superior performance and level of durability to an overlap liner. It will also look better, but it will cost more than an overlap liner.

Beaded swimming pool liner selection

Style and colour

If you click on any of the "liner" advertisements on this page you will quickly see that beaded liners are available in a vast array of colours and patterns with a wide selection of border styles. The style choices are far greater than those offered with overlap liners, and this makes it easy to find a colour scheme that will match your ideas, or colour concepts for the pool area.

A common mistake made by many is to over design the pool's aesthetics by mixing lots of colours and using over elaborate borders. When it comes to selecting swimming pool liners the expression, "too much is never enough" usually proves a poor guide.

The best looks are most frequently achieved by keeping designs, particularly the floor and submerged sections of the walls, simple and creating a focus point with the top level border. Blues and greens are the most appealing and natural looking colours for swimming pools and it pays to keep these colour light or pastel.

Liner thickness (gauge)

Beaded swimming pool liners come in a range of gauges (weights or thicknesses) that determine the durability of the liner and its protection of the pool structure. The simple guidance is to assume that the higher the gauge, e.g. 30 gauge rather than 20 gauge, the stronger, more durable and less easily damaged the liner is likely to be.

A thicker liner also offers better protection to above-ground pools and reduces the likelihood of corrosion from a steel pool cutting into a liner. Not surprisingly, heavy gauge liners also feel softer and more tactile.

As a general recommendation, you should buy the heaviest gauge liner that you can afford.

Fitting

If you spend your money on buying a good quality liner, do not make the false economy of trying to fit it yourself. Liners are easily damaged and poor liner fitting can result in creases and bubbles in the walls and pool base which are neither attractive or conducive to the liners long term durability.

Most pool liner suppliers and fitters will offer a "supply and fit" service if you require it and there are many contractors who specialise in all aspects of swimming pool installation.