Many professional builders actually prefer 20mil liners because they have more elasticity which helps them fit better in some cases. Thicker liners tend to be less pliable and much heavier which can make the installation more difficult. A proper fitting 20 mil liner will outlast an improper fitting thicker liner.
If both liners are properly installed, the thicker liner should last longer, although there are so many variables involved that it's hard to say. The thicker vinyl is like a good insurance policy: problems will likely come up either way, but a thicker vinyl is additional protection from the worst damage.
Oftentimes people ask us which liner material is “better:” the 20 mil or the 27 mil? In reality, there is no “better” liner. The most important choice is not the thickness of the material, but the liner pattern that you choose.
Liner Durability
A 20 gauge vinyl swimming pool liner is thinner than a 25 gauge liner. Though the thickness of a vinyl pool liner doesn't always guarantee long liner life, a thicker liner is usually more durable than a thinner model.
Vinyl liners last 5-9 years, with a general rule being the thicker the liner, the closer it will be to 9 years. But beyond that, a thicker vinyl liner is a good investment in avoiding potential problems. They can withstand more damage without leaking and will require fewer patches and repairs.
30 units - A 30 Gauge liner is 0.0260 inches thick. A 30 MIL liner is 0.0275 inches thick or approximately 6% thicker than a 30 Gauge liner.
A typical vinyl liner lasts between 10 and 15 years, though there are many factors that can affect its lifespan. Living in an area susceptible to ground water problems can reduce your liner's life, as can not keeping the water in your pool balanced.
Ultimately, the decision on the thickness of vinyl liner to buy is a matter of preference, but it will stay with you for up to 10 years (and as little as 5) so it's good to consider all the factors. A thicker inground pool vinyl liner will be able to withstand more impact and is more resistant to punctures.
The best above-ground pool liners use vinyl that ranges from 20-30 gauge, such as seen with the Smartline Boulder Liner.
It is the term that represents 1/1000th of an inch. Therefore, 20 mil = 0.020 inch and 27 mil = 0.027 inc.
An inground pool liner is more expensive to purchase and install, costing between $400 and $2,300 (CAD 500 and CAD 2900) on average. Meanwhile, replacing an above-ground pool liner typically costs between $150 and $800 (CAD 190 and CAD 1,015).
The typical lifespan of a vinyl liner is anywhere from 15-20 years and where your liner falls in that range depends, most crucially, upon your proper maintenance of the pool's chemistry.
Deep Blue- A darker liner is more likely to absorb sunlight, and therefore can help to warm your pool water. Darker liners will also make it more difficult to see debris and dirt in your pool.
The higher the gauge number, the thicker the vinyl. 20 gauge vinyl is very thick, probably thicker than you want to use for sewing anything bag related.
Go for a lighter liner and stay away from dark blue ones. Do you want that deep vibrant blue color? Those darker liners may be perfect for you. These liners can range from light, to medium and then to dark.
If the calcium levels are too high, you see the white spots, which is the calcium hardening on the liner. Chemicals that are added can raise or lower the calcium levels. When levels reach above the 400-PPM level, you will see cloudiness in the water, making the pool appear dirty and the scaling will begin.
Walk Around the Liner
When your pool is ready for swimming, put on a pair of soft-soled shoes and go for a walk in your pool. As you walk around on the liner, gently stretch the wrinkles from one side and then the other using your feet. This stretching should help smooth out minor wrinkles.
A 20 gauge liner means that the liner has a 20 mil bottom and a 20 mil sidewall. So a "Gauge" liner is typically a little bit thicker walled liner than its "Mil" counterpart.
Particularly for an amateur, that makes overlap liners much easier to install. You can even change the pool's bottom, cove size, and bottom thickness, and still the liner can be made to fit. Beaded liners have no room for adjustment. You either built the pool right, or you didn't.
With regular pool maintenance and properly balanced water, your liner will stay beautiful for many years to come. Replacing an inground pool liner is no small task, but it's a completely manageable DIY project for any savvy pool owner.
Most in-ground pool liners today have a lifespan of 10-15 years. There are several factors that can increase or decrease that lifespan however. These include: Water Balance.
Underneath the liner is a sand or cementitious floor, troweled into place. The floor sidewalls come up to meet the walls, which are commonly 42” x 8 ft panels made of galvanized steel or thermoplastic. These walls are supported from behind so that they won't bow out against the weight of the water.