Pool Liner

All above ground pools and some in-ground pools use a vinyl pool liner to contain water. The pool liner is designed only to hold water inside the walls or shell of the pool, not to bear any weight. Pool liners are categorized by how they attach to the pool, the most common styles being overlap and beaded. Above ground pool liners come in stock shapes and sizes to match the most common above ground pools. Occasionally, an unusual shape or size will require a custom pool liner. All in-ground vinyl pool liner pools require a custom-made pool liner as there many variances in shape, size, depth and steps. Therefore, much of this information will pertain more to above ground pools than in-ground but we'll touch on in-ground pool liners in the custom pool liners section below.

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Overlap pool liners
The overlap pool liner drapes over the pool wall and is clamped to the top of the wall using plastic coping strips. The top rail of the pool is then placed over the coping strips. Overlap pool liners are over-sized to fit different wall heights, typically either 48" or 52". Once installed, the extra material is simply cut off. These pool liners usually come in a solid color, an overall printed pattern, or a combination of the two such as solid color walls with a print floor. Click here for Inyo's Overlap Pool Liners

Beaded pool liners
The beaded pool liner fits into a bead receiver or channel at the top of the pool wall. These pool liners are designed for a specific wall height so you must be sure to select the correct size, usually either 48" or 52", although 54" walls are now becoming more popular. Two common brand name pools that use beaded pool liners are Esther Williams and Johnny Weissmuller. If you need to replace a beaded pool liner, one thing to consider is the size of the bead on your current pool liner. The bead size can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and we have encountered customers who ordered a replacement pool liner only to find the bead size did not match. It is a good idea to plan ahead and allow extra time to send a piece of the bead from your old pool liner to the retailer so it can be compared to the replacement pool liner bead. Click for Inyo's Beaded Pool Liner

Beaded pool liners	Overlap pool liners

J-Hook pool liners
A third style is J-hook (or Unibead) which can be installed in two ways, either using a hook that slips over the top of the pool wall or snapping it into an existing bead receiver. The J-hook is designed to install on either overlap- or beaded-style pools. Overlap style pool owners often like the J-hook option because it gives them more pattern choices and allows them to have a pool liner with a decorative border around the top. J-hook pool liners are generally more expensive than overlap. Click here for J-Hook Pool Liners

Expandable pool liners
Expandable pool liners are used for pools that have been dug out to have a deep end. This is common with Doughboy brand pools. Expandable pool liners have a bottom portion which expands up to 72". Some wrinkles are normal with any pool liner installation but should be expected with expandable pool liners due to the extra material. Click here for Expandable Pool Liners

On-ground Pool Liners
Kayak and Fanta Sea brand pools are rectangular on-ground pools which use a specific pool liner. If you have one of these pools, you will need to look for "on-ground replacement pool liners" which are often referred to as "Kayak replacement pool liners" since their name is so well known. There are manufacturers other than Kayak and Fanta Sea that make pool liners for these on-ground pools. If you are concerned about your pool warranty, it is a good idea to contact the original pool manufacturer to find out if installing a generic replacement pool liner will void the warranty. Click here for Replacement Liner for Kayak® Pools

Custom pool liners
A custom-made above ground pool liner might be required if you have a pool that is an unusual size or shape. Over the years, many above ground pool manufacturers have gone out of business leaving their customers scrambling to find a replacement pool liner which will fit an uncommon size. Although somewhat more expensive, a custom pool liner is the best way to go in these cases to ensure the pool liner will properly fit the pool. It could very well cost more money in the end to try forcing the wrong size or shape pool liner into your pool. Custom quotes can be obtained by filling out the measuring form available at Above Ground Pool Custom Liner Form

As mentioned above, all in-ground vinyl pools require a custom pool liner that will designed to fit your specific pool based on specifications you provide to the manufacturer. In-ground pool liners are usually either overlap or beaded. Custom quotes can be obtained by filling out the measuring form available at Inground Pool Custom Liner Form

If you are planning to purchase a custom pool liner, it's important to note that no custom-made pool liner is returnable so accurate measurements are crucial. Sometimes, it can take several exchanges of measurements with the manufacturer to ensure that they produce the correct size but it is worth the extra effort. We recommend starting the process at least two months before you would want the pool liner installed to allow for any manufacturer questions regarding measurements and for production / delivery time.

Pool liner Thickness
Above ground pool liners typically are available in two thicknesses, 20 and 25. Some manufacturers call this "gauge" while others use "mil" but these terms are interchangeable. A 20 gauge pool liner is the same as a 20 mil pool liner. There are usually more patterns available in the 20 gauge pool liners because these are less expensive and therefore more popular. The advantage of the 25 gauge pool liners is the increased strength of the pool liner along with a longer warranty. In-ground pool liners are commonly made in either 20- or 28-gauge material.

Buying Smart
When ordering any pool liner, it is very important to be aware that most companies will not take back a pool liner that has been removed from the original packaging. This is due to the risk of pinholes in the pool liner caused by resting the pool liner against any rough surface. Even small particles of dirt rubbing against the pool liner can cause a tiny hole in the material. Once a pool liner has been taken out of its packaging, it is no longer resellable. So please be sure you have ordered the correct size, shape, style (overlap, beaded, etc.) and wall height. It is worth a few minutes of your time to measure your pool if you aren't 100% sure of its dimensions. Once you receive your new pool liner, read the packing slip and the label on the box before opening it. If there is any discrepancy between the pool liner you ordered and what you received, leave it in the box and contact the retailer immediately.

Pool liner Accessories
There are a number of accessories designed to help you properly install as well as protect your pool liner. Pre-fabricated pool cove is a wedge of foam that goes around the inside edge of the pool wall to keep the pool liner from slipping under the wall while providing a protective layer between the pool liner and the metal frame. While the cove can be formed using sand, those of you who never liked building sand castles will appreciate the pre-made type which is available in two forms, Peel & Stick with adhesive backing and Clip & Stick which snaps onto the track of the pool wall. These coves come in 4-foot sections. Wall foam comes on a roll and is placed between the pool liner and the pool wall to protect the pool liner from punctures caused by rust or corrosion. Foam adhesive is used to install wall foam.

Floor padding products are designed to provide cushioning and protection underfoot by forming an extra layer between the pool liner and the ground. Some manufacturers say their padding can be used instead of sand. We recommend always using sand and adding the floor padding for additional protection. It is worth the investment to protect the pool liner as replacing a pool liner involves both the cost of a new pool liner, installation and refilling your pool. Gorilla floor pad is a very tough, nearly impenetrable felt-like material that was originally developed to protect trash dump pool liners. It is available in the most common round and oval above ground pool sizes. Perfect Pool Bottom is another option, made of a thin, tough plastic similar to the material credit cards are made of. It comes in overlapping sections and includes a pre-made cove. The same manufacturer also makes Happy Bottom Pool Padding which is more of a cushioning than protective barrier which reduces indentations and helps to keep the floor of the pool smooth.

Pool liner coping strips clip onto the top of the pool wall to help keep your overlap pool liner in place. We recommend using only non-corrosive plastic coping strips. If you are tired of your overlap pool liner and wish you could have a beaded one instead, consider a bead receiver kit which slips over the top of the pool wall. A beaded pool liner will then snap into the receiver which is a much easier installation than the overlap style. Click here for Above Ground Pool Liner Accessories

Installation of Above Ground Pool Liners
If you do not already have one in place, you will want to start by forming a cove against the pool wall. The cove is typically a wedge of sand that you build all the way around the inside edge of the wall. Creating the cove is mandatory - do not skip this step. The 6 - 8 inch cove will prevent the pool liner from slipping under the pool wall. It also provides a protective layer between the pool liner and the metal frame of the pool. The sand is beveled to form a 45 degree wedge along the entire inner circumference of the pool wall. The sand should be uniform all the way around and tamped down. When you have completed the cove, it is best to tamp down the sand in the entire pool area. This will help to even out the ground and reduce divots in the floor of the pool. Any sand on the pool wall above the cove should be removed to prevent it from rubbing against the pool liner and possibly causing pinholes to form. As an alternative, you can use pre-manufactured pool cove (mentioned above) which is made of foam and has either adhesive backing or clips that snap onto the pool wall track.

Open the box containing your pool liner very carefully -- do not use a sharp object. Unfold the pool liner and spread it out in the sun. This will warm up the vinyl, making it more pliable and easier to work with. Be sure to inspect your pool liner before attempting installation. Check for any holes or tears and examine the seams to make sure they are properly sealed. This is very important as you do not want to discover a defect after you've filled the pool.

Refer to the pool manufacturer's instructions regarding preparing the pool liner. Your owner's manual should give you details about punching out the skimmer and return holes in the pool and installing the pool liner. Remember that the pool liner is not meant to bear any of the weight of the water so it must rest on the ground in all areas. Properly installed, there should be no air space between the pool liner and the ground, and no downward pressure on the pool liner. How you hang the pool liner on the pool wall will depend on the style of pool liner (overlap, beaded, or j-hook) so refer to the instruction manual for your pool.

Since there is extra material to compensate for any shrinkage of the pool liner, having some wrinkles in the pool liner material is normal and unavoidable. To smooth out the floor of the pool liner, you should gently push it toward the wall. To avoid damage, do not pull, drag or stretch the pool liner. Air between the pool liner and the pool wall can contribute to wrinkles. To decrease this, you can use a vacuum hose, inserting it through the skimmer hole in the pool wall behind the pool liner. Use masking tape and cardboard to seal any gaps around the skimmer hole and vacuum hose. Turn on the vacuum and gently adjust the pool liner while the vacuum is running. You can turn the vacuum off periodically if you reach any areas where the pool liner becomes difficult to adjust. The vacuum can continue to run as you fill the pool but be sure to keep the hose above water level at all times.

	How to Install a Pool Liner Learn the basics for Overlap, Beaded, V-Bead, and Expandable click here for details

Pool liner Replacement
There will probably come a time when you will replace your pool liner. Damage from extreme weather conditions, accidental tearing from a sharp object and just normal wear over time are common reasons for pool liner replacement. Sometimes people are just tired of their pool liner pattern and want something new. Most manufacturers offer a warranty for defective pool liners but do not cover damage or wear and tear. If you notice a defect in the seam of your pool liner, you should immediately contact the manufacturer. If your pool liner is still under warranty, seams should be covered however most warranties are pro-rated over time so coverage might only be partial.

Inyo Pool Products has the largest selection of Swimming Pool Liners on the internet. Please use our step by step process to purchase an Above Ground Pool Liner or choose our custom Inground Pool Liners Choose from the Swimming Pool Liners below. Above Ground Pool Liners Inground Pool Liners