Liner Considerations
Bottom Syles
There are many different bottom styles for various styles and shapes of pools. Following is a handful of possible bottom configurations that you might see in the field. As you can see, it is absolutely necessary to measure each and every pool for a replacement liner. Many of the bottoms are modified from the standard manufacturer's specifications when the pool is originally excavated. Sometimes ground water, rock ledges or other factor's make it necessary to deviate from the standard specifications.
Rectangular pools most often have a rectangular or square pad. However, sometimes the installers will round the back corners (to a 6" or 12" radius) to eliminate puckers in the liner at the pad corners and to make a smooth transition for automatic pool cleaners. If you note on the order that the back pad corners are rounded, the liner will be built accordingly.
Most times, Grecian pools have Grecian corners on the back of the pad. Occasionally, you will see one with a square pad like a rectangle. If so, note it on the liner order. You may also occasionally see one with an oval pad when the installer has rounded the corners on the back of the pad. If so, again make a note on the order.
Most of the time, oval pools have oval shaped pads. Occasionally, you will see one with a square pad like a rectangle. Oval pools with square pads are fairly rare. Make sure that the pool you are building the liner for is an oval pool with a continuous radius and not a large (4' radius or greater) radius rectangle or a modified oval. An inexperienced installer may not be recognizing the proper perimeter shape.
Low Hung Liners
The term "Low Hung" liner refers to a pool which has a ceramic tile border with a vertical bead track on the wall just below the ceramic tile and the remainder of the pool is covered by a vinyl liner. Measuring for this pool liner is the same as any other pool with the exception that you need to pay close attention to the sidewall height and the way that the bead snaps into the liner track. You need to measure from the top of the liner bead to the base of the sidewall at the vertical wall seam to get your "finished wall height". Do Not include the ceramic tile border in the sidewall dimension.
Racing Lanes
Racing lanes can be custom designed to your specifications. Each lane is made using a solid contrasting color from current choices we have available. Standard widths are usually 6”to 8” wide. Because our swimming pool liners are designed and intended for private residential use and not commercial or pubic competition swimming, lane sizes can be made to users specific requirements. Racing lanes can only be designed for the bottom floor of the pool and cannot go up the wall of the pool. There is an additional charge for Racing Lanes.
Safety Ledges
Safety ledges are flat ledges that are at the base of the sidewall around the hopper of a pool. These ledges usually taper down into the back and sidewalls. They are usually 4 to 24 inches in width. A safety ledge must be noted and measured on a liner order so that extra material is allowed at the base of the hopper sidewall in manufacturing. There is an additional charge for safety ledges. See current Vinyl Works price sheet for up-charge.
Safety Markers
A Safety stripe is a 12" wide white stripe placed at the top of the slope or break-over. It makes the transition from the shallow end floor to the slope more distinguishable. There is no additional charge for this feature but it must be noted on the order to be added to the liner. Safety stripes cannot be installed on a sloping shallow end liner. Since a safety strips is so visible, they are not advisable on difficult pools or pools that are out of square or uneven. They will only exaggerate any inconsistencies in the pool bottom.
It is also possible to have tread and riser safety markers installed on vinyl covered step sections. This is usually done in a contrasting color to make the steps more distinguishable. There is an additional charge for this application. Consult with the Vinyl Works for the custom pricing for this feature and the details and specifications required.
Shallow End Coves
Sometimes in ground pools are built with a shallow end cove to achieve a greater depth in the shallow end. This cove typically tapers into the transition. The cove dimensions must be relayed on the liner order. See the diagrams following for examples. These coves are similar to those used on above ground pool installations. If you are working with a dealer who is building a new pool with a shallow end cove, you should ask where he is locating the step. It is not advisable to cove in front of a step for safety reasons and for best step installation. You should advise the dealer to come out at least 2 feet flat in front of a step unit then taper down to desired shallow end depth.
Sidewall
This is the depth from the top of the liner to the point at which the bottom meets the vertical pool wall. Also referred to as "Finished Wall Height". Measure this at three points: shallow end wall, deep end wall and at the break-over. Variations should be noted. Most standard pool walls are either 42” or 48” panels. Generally, there will be 2 inches of pool base used in constructing the pool leaving a finished wall height of either 40” for 42” panels and 46” for 48” panels. Take into consideration here may be an additional charge for sidewalls more than 40” and pattern availability may vary.
Stair Section Patterns
Vinyl covered stairs and cuddle coves, etc. will be manufactured with blue or white textured, non-slip material with the wrap around corresponding tile (matching the tile used on the pool). The color of the textured vinyl material will be determined by the base color of the liner in the pool. If the pool liner has a blue base, that is what will be used on the stairs, cuddle coves, etc. If the pool liner has a white base, that is what will be used on the stair sections, cuddle coves, etc. You may also request plain vinyl (blue or white) be used. This will also be used in conjunction with the corresponding wrap around tile border to the pool. There is no additional charge for plain vinyl stair material.
Miscellaneous Tips
Too much information is better than missing essential information. Review all liner orders before submitting to make sure they are complete so that your liner does not get put on hold. This is the most common reason for extended lead times on liners. Make notes on your order of anything you think may have a bearing on the liner.
Temperature has a large bearing on liner fit and how much the liner will stretch. The Vinyl Works will take the dimensions you submit and make adjustments where needed when manufacturing so that the liner will stretch in to fit your dimensions to obtain a perfect fit. When it is extremely hot, liners stretch more. When it is extremely cold, they do not stretch. Therefore, if it is late in the season and you need a liner for installation, make a note on the order that the liner is being installed this season so that the manufacturing facility can make the proper adjustments. Do not try to make adjustments to the liner dimensions yourself and relay the same to anyone placing a liner order. Submit the actual dimensions and leave the rest to the experts in manufacturing.
If you get a liner order for an extremely large liner (Example: 50' x 80') it is advisable to contact the Vinyl Works for additional lead time or packaging considerations. Extremely large liners often require closing sections of the vinyl manufacturing facility to manufacture. Sometimes large liners must also be crated which adds additional time and charges.
The Vinyl Works is always there to assist you. If you have questions about a particular liner installation or have a difficult to measure pool, please call them to review the situation and make sure that you can obtain all of the essential information for a good liner fit. It is always easier for everyone to get the proper answers to questions up front and get a liner that fits well the first time.
