Like with concrete pools you need to test.
Gunite vs vinyl liner.
Except the vinyl will be printed with photographs of tile or rocks instead of the real thing.
Advantages of vinyl liner pools.
If you re on a budget live where winter serves up icy cold or have tender feet a vinyl liner pool could be your best bet.
So an inexpensive vinyl pool does look cheaper than a gunite pool but a nice vinyl pool can look just like a gunite pool.
The smoothest concrete pool surface is a cheese grader compared to vinyl.
Each one has its own distinct advantages and disadvantages but here at elite pools spas hardscapes we specialize in fiberglass for a few specific reasons.
Construction techniques do vary.
On average a vinyl liner will last between 7 and 15 years with a replacement cost of 3 000 00 5 000 00.
Vinyl liners typically lock their top edge called a bead into a track located on the bottom of the coping which is at deck level.
Unless you get a hole or tear in the liner vinyl doesn t usually require specific maintenance other than routine cleaning of the pool.
For these issues you have to drain the pool and remove the liner for repairs.
Vinyl linered pools can be cut though this is rare.
Vinyl now offers the same selection.
For residential use this shouldn t be a huge issue though if you re planning a commercial pool this could become problematic over time.
Surface is rough all you need to do is stick your hand in a concrete pool then a vinyl pool to feel the difference yourself.
Many vinyl liner manufacturers have a 20 year pro rated warranty.
Vinyl liner pools do come with a warranty.
The vinyl liner is easily repaired and replaced with very little or no down time.
Below is a breakdown of the pros and cons of each in ground pool type along with general pricing.
Be sure to read the fine.
In vinyl liner pools metals usually only effect the color of the water whereas in gunite pools metals can stain the surface and be a real bear to remove as it embeds itself into the porous gunite material.
Underneath the liner is a sand or cement like floor.
Wrinkles in your vinyl liner are only a cosmetic issue but many people prefer to smooth them out which takes significant time and effort.
In severe cases draining of the gunite pool and acid washing the surface is your only solution.
The three basic types of in ground pools are fiberglass vinyl liner and gunite.