What Color Pool Liner Is Best — Dark or Light?

Glimmerglass

Updated May 31, 2024

Your pool liner is a great way to have fun and show off your personal style! When customers come to us for new pool liners, they often ask whether they should opt for a dark-colored pool liner or a light-colored liner.

Great question!

The color of your pool liner actually impacts a lot more than many pool owners think. When that discussion comes up, we generally urge our customers to consider the following factors.

Vibe/Aesthetic

It’s well known that colors can impact mood, emotions, and the overall look or feel of a space. Your pool liner is no different.

A light pool liner will give a light, airy feel — like a beach or tropical vibe.

On the other hand, dark blue or black swimming pool liners can give your pool a rich, bold look and make your pool seem deeper.

Debris & Damage

Royale Abyss

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, making them less noticeable.

On the flip side, leaves, twigs, and other debris will likely be more pronounced against a light-colored liner and require more cleaning and scrubbing.

Fading & Discoloration

The sun and chemical usage will always take a toll on your pool liner.

With dark pool colors, you may see a more noticeable discoloration from sunlight and chemicals over time and have to replace the liner sooner.

The fading on light liners may be less noticeable.

Energy Savings

Shark Nation

Naturally, a dark pool liner will absorb and hold heat, much like when you wear dark clothing during the summertime. Overall, that can save you on utility costs and keep your pool warmer throughout the swimming season.

Patterns

Picking a pattern is all about the look you want your pool and backyard to have.

When looking at patterns, keep in mind your deck, patio, landscaping, and other backyard decor that you may be trying to match and the overall aesthetic of your home.

The pattern can be bright, bold, and eye-catching to make your pool stand out — like our colorful shark, space, or mermaid pool liners.

A more natural-looking, subdued pattern — like our stone liner design — can help your pool blend in with the surroundings.

Other Pool Liner Color Factors

Black Granite Pool Liner

Keep in mind that swimming pool colors always look a bit different in water. Your yard and external elements can also impact the color of your liner once it’s in your pool.

• Shade and reflections from trees, shrubs, buildings, and fencing surrounding your pool can make the water (and the liner itself) appear darker than it initially did.
• The sky, sunlight, and surrounding foliage can also impact the appearance of color and brightness of your liner and add a blue, green, or grayish tint.
• Your liner may also look slightly darker in the deeper areas of your pool due to how light travels through water.

What’s the best pool liner color?

As noted above, there are pros and cons to both light and dark pool liners. There’s really no right or wrong answer here. If you consider the above factors and personal preferences, you can’t go wrong.

If you’re in the market for a colorful pool liner for your above ground pool, we’ve got amazing dark and light liner options to choose from!

Related Blogs: 

• The Ultimate Guide for Choosing the Perfect Above Ground Pool Liner
• Choosing The Right Pool Liner Color For The Summer
• What To Look For When Buying A Pool Liner