Vinyl. A vinyl liner pool has a custom made sheet of vinyl between the water and the pool structure. Vinyl liners typically lock their top edge, called a bead, into a track located on the bottom of the coping, which is at deck level.
Some general guidelines for the three major types of in-ground pools: Pools with vinyl liners will last more than 20 years, as long as you replace your liner every 6-12 years. Concrete pools have exceptional longevity, but you need to resurface the concrete every 10 years or so.
Fiberglass pools are exceptionally durable and can last the lifetime of a home. Vinyl liner pools can also last the lifetime of a home. However, the liner itself will need to be replaced on average every ten years, but provides a unique opportunity to completely refresh the look of your pool.
The bottom of a vinyl liner pool is usually built from grout or vermiculite. Grout is a mix of sand, cement and water. It's durable and relatively inexpensive but has more danger of shifting with the soil. Vermiculite, which comes pre-mixed or unmixed, is a mix of vermiculite, cement, and water.
Concrete pools cost $50,000 or more and require expensive long-term maintenance. They can be any shape but take 3–6 months to install. Vinyl liner pools cost $25,000 or more and need the liner replaced every 5–9 years. They take 3–6 weeks to install but tend to look cheap.
Vinyl is a nonporous surface which means it won't require as many chemicals as a concrete pool. Vinyl's smooth surface also makes it harder for contaminants like algae to take hold and wreak havoc on your pool. A well-maintained liner will last many years, but it will need to be replaced at some point.
The average vinyl inground pool costs between $25,000 and $45,000, and between fiberglass, and concrete, vinyl is the most affordable option. Although the initial price is lower, the long-term cost to maintain a vinyl liner pool is $13,250 over ten years.
The builder places the liner into the pool, “snaps” it into place, then form-fits it to the shape of the pool using a vacuum to remove the air behind the liner. Once the builders adjust the liner to remove wrinkles, they start filling the pool with water.
The two most common materials for the bottom of your pool are vermiculite and grout. Whichever material you choose, you'll apply it right on top of the soil with a round-edged pool trowel, and then the liner goes on top of it.
A vinyl liner pool gets constructed with a thick sheet of vinyl between the ground and the pool structure. The structure features panels and bracing made from either plastic or metal material, and the vinyl liner rests over that with a layer of sand or cement for the floor.
A fiberglass pool is not prone to growing algae, which is one of the main reasons why this pool is easier to maintain. Anyone who is looking for a pool that doesn't require a lot of maintenance may want to consider going with a fiberglass pool.
Fiberglass pools can craze or check crack from imprecise manufacturing or when the surface is not fully supported, like under the steps or areas where the backfill is eroded. Gelcoat can also crack during transport and installation if it gets bumped around too much.
Pros of Saltwater Pools
There's less chlorine and less of the heavy chemical scent and content. They're gentler on the skin, with less irritation to the eyes, hair and swimsuits. The water has a softer, silkier feel to it compared to chlorine water. They have lower maintenance costs than chlorine pools.
To begin with, the maximum depth for pools is typically 8 feet, although we can build deeper pools. The pros of having a pool of this depth begin with the fact that this would allow you to install a diving board.
If you have a vinyl liner, you'll be happy to know you can use a salt chlorinator system in your pool without taking any extra precautions. The liner will be exposed to lower levels of chlorine, so it may even extend your liner's lifespan. However, many inground pools have galvanized walls behind the liner.
Gunite pools are among the longest-lasting pools on the market. When gunite pools are properly installed they could potentially last 100+ years. They are extremely durable and totally customizable.
It is due to the fact that every Seasonal World Concrete Wall Vinyl Liner pool is constructed with 10” thick concrete walls that are then reinforced with steel rebar. The pool is one monolithic pour of concrete, which means the entire pool and step is all constructed out of concrete and rebar.
Advantages of Using Concrete for your In-ground Pool
Using regular concrete for your in-ground pool has its advantages. They include: Concrete is pre-mixed, so there are no real concerns about finding the right ratio of materials. It forms a strong coating.
But this is a slippery slope. If the ground water is still there, this will turn into a big mess. It should also be stated that liners more than 3 or 4 years old dry, shrink, and become rigid VERY QUICKLY.
Yes. Solar pool heaters, electric heat pumps, and gas heaters should all work just fine with vinyl liner, fiberglass, and concrete swimming pools.
A vinyl liner pool itself takes about two weeks to install. But the accompanying patio can take from one week to a year, depending on the construction process. A gunite concrete pool takes six to eight weeks from excavation to your first swim.
12x24 Inground Pool Cost
The cost for this size, on average, will be between $26,000 and $38,000, depending on the type of material used. Materials and their average associated costs are as follows: Concrete, $38,000. Fiberglass, $34,000.
The installation of a Compass Pool will only take a week or two, but we find most households then spend around three to six months completing their landscaping. The good news is that your pool is ready to use as soon as it's installed, so you are free to change and tweak your landscaping at your leisure.