If you’ve decided on a vinyl liner for your soon-to-be-installed new swimming pool, congratulations on that important step! Don’t get too excited, though: you have another big decision to make. Vinyl pool liners come in four basic types; choosing which one will best suit your situation will be the next big choice you’ll need to make. Once you make it, you’ll be one more kick closer to your new pool.
Beaded Liners
The most popular type of in-ground pool liner is a beaded vinyl liner. (It’s actually the same type used for many above-ground pools, as well.) A beaded liner is named for the barb or bead found on the wall of the liner. Typically located near the top of the wall, this bead is made to fit into a sort of track, also referred to as the bead receiver, which is part of the pool’s wall. The bead essentially locks into the receiver, allowing the liner to be held into place. As you might be thinking, this format makes the beaded liner the easiest type to install. Typical beaded liner patterns include a border near the top and a contrasting pattern for the remainder of the wall.
Overlap Liners
This style of liner is the most popular one for above-ground pools, because of how economical it is. As its name implies, the liner laps over the pool wall, and is held in place with clothes pins or pinch clamps during the necessary adjustments during installation. Once the liner is smoothed out, it can be held in place with coping strips. At that point, the top rails can be installed. This liner type is usually found in solid colors, since a border pattern would be almost impossible to keep even along the top.
J-Hook or J-Bead Liner
Another typical liner type for above-ground pools is the J-hook liner. Also referred to as a J-bead liner, this style makes use of a curved piece near the top of the pool wall. It’s named for the hardened piece that is shaped like an upside-down “J.” For installation, the top rails of the pool need to be removed. While the installation process is more difficult than that of a typical beaded liner, the J-hook style doesn’t require bead receivers, making it slightly less pricey. Overlap pool liners can easily be converted to J-hook liners, and like the beaded liner, the J-hook liner offers the potential for patterned designs.
Unibead Beaded Liner
A newer liner type is the unibead beaded liner. The top part of the liner wall includes a bead, just above a J-hook. Installation is similar to that of a J-hook liner. Any unibead beaded liner can be easily converted to a traditional beaded liner by simply peeling off the J-hook part. The chief selling point of a unibead liner is that it offers added protection while still allowing for the potential of patterns like those found on beaded liners.
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Lyon Financial
Since 1979 Lyon Financial has made the backyard resort dream come true for over 400,000 families across the U.S. Through our solid relationships with more than 3,000 pool contractors and our continued commitment to putting our clients first, we have built a reputation as the first choice in providing pool financing solutions. For more information, visit lyonfinancial.net or call (877) 754-5966 today.
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