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. But as liners become darker, they are more inclined to fade over time due to UV damage and Chlorine.
Vinyl-lined pools are the most popular choice because they tend to be more affordable and faster to install, which means you can start enjoying your home pool faster. Vinyl liners are custom-fit to your home's pool size and shape, and they come in a variety of colors and designs to accommodate everyone's preference.
Vinyl is typically the choice of liner because it is durable, cost-effective, and fairly thin. The best above-ground pool liners use vinyl that ranges from 20-30 gauge, such as seen with the Smartline Boulder Liner.
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.
Dark-colored liners, like our Blue Raleigh liner for in-ground pools, provide a bold look, which makes them a favorite among pool owners. Darker liners naturally help keep your pool warmer by absorbing sunlight. They also hide dirt and debris more easily than some lighter-colored liners.
The safest and most popular color for liners is blue.
A deep blue water color is what people associate most with swimming pools. It is a attractive and durable. The patterns that fall into this deep blue category are Port Royal, Georgetown, Navarre, Ocean Wave, Malibu and Hampton.
Deep blue is the most popular color for pool liners.
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.
Expect to spend 2 to 4 hours removing faceplates, gaskets, and the old vinyl pool liner, positioning and installing the new replacement liner prior to refilling the pool with water.
Liner Durability
If you have an above-ground or in-ground swimming pool that sees heavy use it's often better to go with a thicker vinyl pool liner. Both 20 gauge and 25 gauge vinyl pool liners are typically made with double-weld seams to enhance durability.
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 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.
The difference between a “beaded” style liner, and an “overlap” style liner is the way the liner is held in place at the top of the swimming pool. Beaded aboveground pool liners have a very small groove or lip at the top edge of the liner.
So the thickness of the liner does matter, but so does choosing a capable and experienced pool company. 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.
As you might expect, dark liners — especially if they are patterned — are good at hiding dirt and debris. A darker pool liner also hides imperfections, like scratches and stains and making them less noticeable.
One of the most common issues associated with water collection behind a pool liner is known as a “floating” or “lifting” liner. The water causes the liner to lose its original seal, which then can cause soft spots, wrinkles, and other imperfections that lead to a lifted, floating liner.
You should not install a pool liner in the rain because the liner needs to be sealed tight on the bottom and sides of the pool creating a smooth, airtight surface that water cannot seep behind. Installing in the rain not only inhibits a proper seal but can cause distortions that create long-lasting issues.
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.
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.
Inground pool liner replacement costs $3,000 to $4,000 on average with prices ranging between $1,400 and $4,800 for materials and labor. Above ground swimming pool liner replacement runs between $350 and $1,600 with most spending $700 on average.
This is also is true for vinyl pool liners. They become brittle over time, or stretched thin, from holding all of that pool water over the years. The average pool liner lifespan is 5 to 9 years. If the liner is low quality or becomes damaged, the lifespan range will be less than this.
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 lighter color shows more imperfections in a pool liner than a darker color, making dirt, scratches and marring on the liner more easily noticed. Water also can magnify this effect. A darker pool liner does a better job of hiding such imperfections, and so they are less easily noticed by guests.