The vinyl swimming pool liner

The lining that covers the base and walls of a swimming pool is critical to the performance and aesthetics of the pool. This barrier or membrane is called a swimming pool liner and it can be constructed using traditional cement and tiles or by using one of the modern vinyl liners.

Modern vinyl liners can last over 15 years and they are easily replaced. They also offer a soft tactile feel and they can work with padded battens and cornices to add extra softness to the pool's wall.

What is a vinyl swimming pool liner

A swimming pool liner is a cheaper (and easier to fit) alternative to the in-situ tile, mortar and grout linings. These liners have a number of advantages from cost and speed of fit, to flexibility, e.g. they can be used with an above-ground swimming pool.

Types of liner

There are two different types of swimming pool liner, the overlap and the beaded liner. Below is a summary of each type.

Overlap

The overlap pool liner is only suitable for above-ground (and semi-above ground) swimming pools as it uses a liner that hangs over the top of the swimming pool's walls. This liner is secured by using special clips and it can be finished with a plastic facia or finishing plate.

From an economic perspective, overlap swimming pool liners comparatively cheap and they also offer the only way of adding a quality finish to some of the cheaper swimming pool structures. They come in many different colours and pattern designs.

Beaded

The beaded liner does not overlap the top lip of a swimming pool. Instead it has a securing mechanism that uses a track and special beads on the liner to hold it in place.

A beaded liner has special beads running along the top edge of the liner that clip into a track that runs around the perimeter of the swimming pool's walls. The result is a high quality finish that is comparable with a tiled lining.

These beaded liners are much cheaper than the alternative tile, mortar and grout structural linings and they have a superior and more attractive finished edge treatment than overlap liners. The beaded liner, whilst more expensive than the overlap liner, is a superior product and is the only liner type suitable for in-ground (in-situ) swimming pools.

These beaded liners come in a vast array of colours and patterns and they can be made to order or bought from stock for standard sized swimming pools.

Beaded or overlap liners – which is best

The beaded liners will work with both above-ground and below ground pools - unlike the overlap liner that can only work on above ground pools.

The finish and top edge treatment of a beaded liner makes it almost indistinguishable a tiled liner.

On the down side, a beaded liner will have a higher installation cost than an overlap liners.

Both liner types come with many design and colour selections.