When it comes to vinyl pools, the primary components include wall panels, a pool base, vinyl liner, steps, and coping. For those considering vinyl pool installations, we at Metropolitan Pools would like to discuss the basics of a vinyl pool.
How Do Professional Swimming Pool Contractors Build a Vinyl Pool?
1) Wall panels. Generally, wall panels make up the walls of your pool, everywhere except the steps. Steel, aluminum, or polymer are the common materials used to make the wall panels. The shallow end of vinyl liner pools is typically that depth, these wall panels are typically 42 inches tall.
2) Pool Base. Usually made of vermiculite or grout is the pool base. With a round-edged pool trowel, you apply the material mixture on top of the soil. Next, the liner is installed on top of it.
3) Vinyl Liner. The liner is made of vinyl, obviously. Though not the same as a millimeter, the thickness is measured in mils. In this instance, a mil is 1/1000 of an inch. Vinyl liners usually range 20, 27, 28, or 30 mils thick. As it varies in size depending on the dealer, another unit of measurement is the gauge. If they use gauges, you can consult with the expert. The vinyl liner will either be embossed or non-embossed.
Embossed Liners. With peaks and valleys, these liners are soft because they vary in thickness. Instead of the lower solid part, they are measured by the highest peaks of the liner. This means that it won’t be 25 mils high all the way across the top if a liner is “25 mils embossed.”
Non-embossed Liners (Standard). Because they’re flat across the top, these liners do not feel as squishy. It is equally thick all the way through. 20 mil embossed is the economic option for a vinyl pool liner.
Thinner Liners. Though they’re also inexpensive and easier for builders to work with, thinner liners can tear or puncture easily.
Thicker Liners. Thicker liners provide extra protection against dog nails or that pointy toy your toddler threw into the pool, but they do cost more and are harder to handle.
Most experts recommend a thicker vinyl liner since they are hardier and usually last longer.
4) Steps. For vinyl pools, the common steps used are white plastic, a ladder, or vinyl over steps.
White Plastic Steps. For vinyl liner pools, these are the standard. They jut out from the main body of the pool and are attached to the pool walls. Also, they are typically made of polymer.
Vinyl Over Steps. With many options available, these steps are pre-made, as you buy the liner to fit over the steps.
Ladder. Usually, this is a removable metal ladder that you install into the patio as it hangs over the edge of the pool.
5) Coping. Coping is the transition from the pool to the patio and it borders around the top perimeter of the pool. The standard for vinyl liner pools is white aluminum C-channel coping. Though white is the most common, the aluminum can be painted different colors. As a permanent border for the patio concrete, the term C-channel (or U-channel) means that it’s bullnose (or half-round, like a C shape) coping that’s bolted at the top of the pool wall panel.
Cantilevered Coping. The builders pour patio concrete up to a Styrofoam form at the edge where the pool meets the patio for cantilevered coping. The concrete itself is the edge, often bullnose when they remove the form.
Flat-Mount Coping. This coping is flat and just secures your vinyl liner. You can customize it by adding different coping such as fancy pavers on top of it.
Vinyl Pool Installation, Repair, Maintenance & More in Sandusky, Lorain, Elyria, Medina, Parma, Mentor, Akron & Greater Cleveland, Ohio
If you are interested in having a vinyl liner pool built in your Cleveland or Akron, OH or surrounding area home, call the experts of Metropolitan Pools and let us help you get your vinyl pool installed.