Choosing a Pool Liner for Your Above Ground Pool: Quick Guide

If you’re a first-time pool owner, it can be difficult to know where to start when it comes to choosing a liner for your new above ground pool. From size to color to pattern, there’s a lot that goes into choosing the perfect liner. 

When installed and maintained correctly, a quality liner can last you for years, so you want to make sure you’re happy with your decision. 

We’ve put together our tips and suggestions to help you find the pool liner that’s right for you. 

Measure Your Above Ground Pool

Before you begin your search for a pool liner, it is important to take the time to properly measure your pool. 

Not all pools will measure to exactly the size you think you have due to ground shifts, sagging, or bowed walls. Don’t rely on what the pool store packaging or previous owner listed as the pool dimensions. 

Accurate measurements are crucial for a proper liner fit, which increases the longevity of your liner and saves you time and money in the long run. Plus, the last thing you want is to order a design you love, only to find out the liner doesn’t fit your pool. 

You’ll want to measure from inside to inside of the pool wall with a tape measure. 

To account for bowed walls and other irregularities that may impact liner fit, you should measure each diameter twice — once at the top of the wall and once at the bottom. 

You’ll also want to measure the depth of your pool, starting from the deepest point of your pool to the top of the wall where the liner attaches. 

A second person will help make the process easier and more accurate, so you should enlist the help of a family member or friend.

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Once you know the shape, size, and depth of the pool you’re buying a liner for, you’re able to move on and narrow down your selection.

Choose Beaded vs. Overlap Liners

The two main types of above ground pool liners are beaded and overlap. Most pool liners come in either variety, but you may be limited on some patterns and sizes. 

The biggest difference between these two types of pools has to do with how the liners are installed. 

Overlap

Overlap pool liners wrap over the top of the pool and have plastic strips, called coping, that rest on top. These are the most common type of liner for above ground pools. 

Overlap liners are installed by removing the top rail of your swimming pool and draping the liner over the wall. Once it’s in place, the excess liner can be trimmed away with scissors. 

To determine whether or not an overlap liner will work best with your pool, check under the top rail of your pool. You should be able to see some of the liner along the outside of the pool. 

Beaded

Beaded pool liners hook into a track along the edge of the pool wall, called a bead receiver. During installation, the groove on the top of the liner will snap into place along the track. 

To figure out if your pool needs a beaded liner, check under the top rail on the inside of the pool for a bead receiver. 

Check the Pool Liner Thickness

The most common terms you’ll hear in regards to above ground pool liner thickness are “mil” and “gauge.” While similar, it’s important to note that these two are not equal. 

“Mil” is a unit of measurement equal to one-thousandth of an inch. 

“Gauge” can be a little trickier. When it comes to pool liners, the higher the gauge, the thicker the liner material. Industries like wire, metal, film, and shotgun barrels are also measured by their gauge.

While thickness is important when it comes to the quality and longevity of your liner, it isn’t the deciding factor. A thinner but well-fitting liner that was properly installed will outlast a thicker liner that doesn’t fit properly every time. 

All Linerworld’s vinyl above ground pool liners have a 25 gauge, which is ideal for the average pool owner.  

Pick an Eye-Catching Color

After you know what size your pool is, you can now start to have some fun. You’re to the point where you can start finding a color that aligns with your personal style! 

Keep in mind, the color of your pool liner does have an impact on the aesthetic of your backyard and patio area. One thing you should pay special attention to when choosing a liner color is how dark or light the liner is. 

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By determining what color liner you like and which one may be best suited for your above ground pool, narrowing down options becomes much simpler. If you know you prefer dark or lighter colors, you can easily start to skip over potential liners that don’t fit the bill. 

Dark colored pool liners

Dark-colored liners can give your pool a more rich, bold look, which makes them a favorite among pool owners. If you’re looking at darker liners, note that the dark color will:

• Naturally help keep your pool warmer by absorbing sunlight, much like dark clothing on a hot day. 
• Help hide dirt and debris more easily than some lighter liners. 
• Have a more noticeable discoloration from sunlight and chemicals over time. 

Light colored pool liners

Light-colored liners tend to give your pool more of a bright, warm feel, which a lot of pool owners prefer. Also note that the light color will:

• Attract less sunlight, which means you’ll see less discoloration and fading over time. 
• Show debris like leaves, twigs, and dirt more noticeably, which may mean you have to clean your pool more regularly. 

Factors that impact color 

Keep in mind that other factors will also impact the color of your swimming pool. 

Shade

Shade and reflections from trees, shrubs, buildings and fencing surrounding your pool can make the water and liner appear darker, and foliage may add a greenish tint. 

The sky, clouds, and sunlight will reflect in the water and impact color and brightness, much like it does on oceans, lakes, and rivers. 

For example, a light-colored liner can help brighten up your pool if you have a shadier backyard, whereas a dark blue liner may appear even darker and richer when it’s shady or cloudy.

Depth

Depth also plays a role in color appearance, as shallow pools naturally look slightly lighter colored than deep pools due to how light travels through water.

Pick a Fun Pattern

This is usually the last — and most challenging — part of picking out a liner, simply because there are so many options to choose from! From sharks and sea creatures to stone and rocks, there’s an above ground pool liner pattern to suit every style. 

Picking a pattern is all about the look you want your pool and backyard to have. The pattern can be bright, bold, and eye-catching to make your pool stand out. A more natural-looking, subdued pattern can help your pool better blend in with the surroundings. 

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

Border & Floor Patterns

Note that some liners may have two patterns — the tile or border pattern and the bottom/floor pattern. 

The border pattern is a border that goes around the top of your pool wall and blends with the surroundings. It is usually most noticeable when nearby the pool and accented against other elements. 

The bottom/floor pattern takes up the majority of your liner, covering up the floor and most of the pool walls. If you opt for a liner with a tile pattern, be sure you like the way it blends with the floor pattern and the overall look of the two patterns together.  

We recommend discussing patterns and design preferences with your family to find liner designs that everyone will love for years to come. 

Find Your Perfect Above Ground Pool Liner

We hope this guide makes your search for the perfect above ground pool liner a little bit easier for new pool owners. Take your time, research your options, and enjoy the process. Remember, picking a swimming pool liner should be fun! 

Now that you’ve gone through the process, it’s time to start shopping for your new liner. Browse LinerWorld’s selection of bold, beautiful patterns that will make your pool the envy of the neighborhood!