How to Buy a Pool Liner

Pool liners come in different materials, styles, patterns and sizes. They add a decorative touch to the swimming pool and cover any visible defects. If you have an in ground or above ground pool, installing a pool liner will give it a new look.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Note the dimensions of your pool before going out to buy the liner. It is easy to measure a rectangular swimming pool, whereas it will take a bit more effort to determine the size of a pool with a varied shape.

2. Decide what kind of liner you want to install in your swimming pool. Choose from vinyl, fiberglass or concrete. Vinyl liners offer attractive patterns whereas fiberglass gives a bathtub look to the pool. Concrete liners are the most durable and do not need replacements for many years to come.

3. Determine your budget. Thick and durable pool liners are usually expensive but also last a long time and spare you the hassle of replacing them every other season. Buy a liner which has a 30 gauge (liner measurement unit) thickness.

4. Get an EPDM rubber liner or a Polypropylene liner which are the strongest of all pool liners available in the market. They have a 45-gauge thickness and last for at least 20 years. Polyethylene liners are the cheapest, but last only one season.

5. Choose a pattern. Buy a swimming pool liner with stripes, trees, beads, checkers or plain solid colors. Do not buy bold colored liners for your pool.

6. Buy a pool liner from a pool supply retailer only. Compare prices and then decide. Call a professional to install the pool liner or handle the project yourself if you have enough knowledge and expertise to accomplish the job.