Top 5 Above-Ground Pool Liners
The pool liner is the main vessel that holds water. It does much more. Also, it’s the design element that makes your pool look amazing. Selecting a liner is an essential decision in the pool-building process. There are many different types of pool liners to choose from and there are things such as size, color, durability, and more to consider when buying a new above-ground pool liner. So, what are the top five above-ground pool liners? Our picks for the top 5 above-ground pool liners for 2022 are
When you buy an above-ground pool you usually do not get the opportunity to choose the liner. You get the liner that comes with the pool package unless of course, it is one of the more expensive types of above-ground pools and you can mix and match whatever pieces you want.
What Is a Pool Liner?
The covering placed over the entire structure of the swimming pool, completely covering the walls and floor is called the swimming pool liner. The main goal of the pool liner is to keep the pool water inside the swimming pool while also maintaining a clean aesthetic. Most liners are made of vinyl and come in a variety of colors or patterns, with varying thicknesses. Thicker liners survive longer than thin kinds and are measured in gauge (g) or millimeters (mm). The liner secures to the swimming pool coping and may be removed for maintenance or replacement.
Private and family swimming pool liners are frequently made of vinyl, owing to the demanding conditions of public and commercial pools, which necessitate stronger materials such as concrete and masonry walls and floors. Vinyl can become brittle with time, as the compounds that give it flexibility degrade. In old vinyl liners, tears, punctures, and holes are more likely. These types of liner leaks can be fixed, but they have a shorter lifespan, depending on use and the climate. Vinyl liners are popular in regions with significant temperature swings throughout the year because they can accommodate movement as a result of freezing and thawing cycles. The water in your pool must be regularly balanced, as acidic water can prematurely age the liner, and basic water can cause water scale and build-up on the liner surface.
The 3 Kinds of Vinyl Pool Liners
Vinyl liners are available in a variety of standard sizes and forms, or they may be manufactured to any desired design. There are three popular kinds of vinyl liners. The first kind is an overlap liner and this is the least expensive, most common, and most simple to install out of the other liners, but they are more challenging to replace. The second kind of vinyl liner is a beaded liner and these typically come in a wider selection of patterns and colors to choose from, all while being easy to install on your pool. The third kind of vinyl liner is a uni-bead liner and these are great as they give flexibility and are very easy to install and replace.
Here are the best above-ground pool liners
1. Liner Life Pre-Cut Swimming Pool Liner Pad, 18’ Round, Black
The Liner Life Pre-Cut Pool Liner Pad is specifically designed to cushion and protect the bottom of your aboveground pool. Pre-cut for easy installation, this swimming pool padding is manufactured to fit the most popular pool sizes, eliminating the need to measure, cut, and tape as one would with foam padding. Made of durable, high-quality polyester geotextile material, the Liner Life liner pad for swimming pools will help prevent grass, roots, rocks, or other sharp objects from damaging your pool’s liner. Plus, it will not only keep your pool protected but also improves swimmer comfort. Along with the added layer of cushioning, this pool liner pad prevents footprints from forming in the sand base beneath the pool liner for a consistently smooth swim. This Liner Life Pre-Cut Pool Liner Pad is perfectly sized to fit your 18’ round pool.
Review:
We almost didn’t go with a barrier like this but glad we did. This is essentially a thick felt that they have seen together and cut in a perfect circle. It adds a nice cushion between the sand and the pool liner and hopefully prevents things from poking through. I do think that $100 for a piece of felt is expensive but it will hopefully save me time and money if it gets the job done
2. Shop Square Precut 18-Foot Round White Pool Liner Pad for 18′
An essential part of the pool construction process, Shop Square Pool liner pads extend the life of your pool and prevent problems that are common in above-ground pools. Made of a felt-like polypropylene geotextile material, above-ground pool liner pads prevent punctures to your vinyl liner by rocks, roots, grass, and more. Shop Square Above Ground Swimming Pool Liners come pre-cut for easy installation. Manufactured to fit most pool sizes, you can find the right liner pad for your round pool. Made of durable geotextile material, the liner pad for swimming pools will prevent grass, roots, rocks, or other sharp objects from damaging your vinyl liner. This Shop Square Pre-Cut Pool Liner Pad will fit an 18’ round pool.
Review:
Will know more after summer is over and the pool comes down. Pad is just a thick felt. Could be a job to clean it as it is laying on top of the sand. We’ll see.
3. 18 Foot Round Overlap Above Ground Pool Liner – Solid Blue
Swimline Overlap 18′ Round Solid Blue Pool Liner is an excellent pool liner choice for your above-ground pool. As this product has a high-quality 18′ solid blue overlap liner. Swimline above-ground pool liners are built with durable and tough virgin vinyl that is designed to last many seasons of use and are protected with Lamiclear. As this helps guard and protect the above-ground pool liner against UV fading from the sun and chemical damage.
The Swimline overlap pool liner features enough material to fit 18′ round above-ground pools with 48-to-52-inch depth walls. Any excess liner hangover can be trimmed off easily for a clean and finished look. Pool coping strips for the overlap liner are required for installation to secure it in place onto the pool wall (sold separately). Swimline Above Ground Pool Liners For over 40 years, the name Swimline has been synonymous with quality above-ground swimming pool liners. These liners are made of virgin vinyl, with super strong double welded seams to last long winters and hot summers. Swimline’s liners are built to last. Computerized cutting tables network with their engineer’s computer-aided design (CAD) and designing programs to eliminate the risk of human error. Whether it’s fit, design, pattern, or materials, these quality above-ground pool liners are unbeatable
Review:
Super easy to set up! I thought it would be bright blue but it was a dull blue. Little thin but it didn’t give me the option for color or the gauge of the liner.
4. Smartline Sunlight 18-Foot Round Liner
Whether installing for the first time or replacing an existing liner, the Sunlight pattern offers durability while not breaking the bank. Be sure to check the measurements of your swimming pool to assure the correct size is purchased. First, the pool height is determined by measuring the outside wall from the ground to underneath the top rail. Secondly, the round pool size is determined by measuring from the center point wall to wall in order to obtain the diameter. Additionally, the sunlight pattern is a simple but realistic pattern that will make your pool like it’s constantly glistening in the sun. The North American cut material is hand-folded to prevent permanent creasing and excess wrinkling.
Before installing, lay the liner out in the sun for a minimum of one hour to warm up the vinyl ensuring it is able to stretch when adding water. The best temperatures to install would be between 70-80 degrees. Overlap liners are draped over the walls of the pool during the installation process. Once the bottom seam is even near the cove, the liner is ready to be secured. This material is held in place through the use of coping strips prior to putting the top rails back onto the pool. Bead receivers are not needed for this type of liner. The liner is made to work with pools that have a flat bottom and wall heights of up to 54”.
Review:
This liner came in fast!! We bought an 18 by 48 ft Intex pool about 5 years ago. The liner on this pool is the actual pool- wall and liner in one. So I bought this liner after months of debate. It works. I installed it and used some greenhouse clips to secure it to the top bars of the Pool which also worked perfectly, and the liner is in and it is AWESOME!!!
5. Liner Life Pre-Cut Swimming Pool Liner Pad, 24’ Round, White
The Liner Life Pre-Cut Pool Liner Pad is specifically designed to cushion and protect the bottom of your aboveground pool. This liner is pre-cut for easy installation, this swimming pool padding is manufactured to fit the most popular pool sizes. This is done to eliminate the need to measure, cut, and tape as one would with foam padding. Made of durable, high-quality polyester geotextile material, the Liner Life liner pad for swimming pools will help prevent grass, roots, rocks, or other sharp objects from damaging your pool’s liner. Additionally, it will not only keep your pool protected but also improves swimmer comfort. Along with the added layer of cushioning. This pool liner pad prevents footprints from forming in the sand base beneath the pool liner for a consistently smooth swim. This Liner Life Pre-Cut Pool Liner Pad is perfectly sized to fit your 24’ round pool.
Review:
This is a very nice product. It basically is felt and it made our pool bottom feel so much better this year. Also, it is precut, so just lay it out. It is much thicker than most ground covers, but it is not a tarp. So, I did put commercial-grade landscape fabric under this to give added protection from roots and rocks due to where we live.
Final Words
In conclusion, buying an above-ground pool liner is a wise investment that will pay for itself many times over, as it protects your pool from weather damage and keeps the water clean. That’s why these are such an essential part of owning an above-ground pool. So, when it comes time to have to replace your above-ground pool liner, you need to pick out the right one that fits the needs of your swimming pool, and hopefully, this list helped you out!
