Your Guide to Above Ground Pool Liners
How to measure your above ground pool
Before you can replace an above ground liner you will need to measure your pool. If you have a round pool, you will need to know the diameter and wall height. Oval and rectangle pools will require measurements for the length and width. You will also need to know information about the bottom. A standard floor has a coving (Floor Base where meets the wall) that is about 4 inches in height up the wall and 3 inches inward from the wall. Overlap lined pools tend to have larger coves and most overlap lined pools are built to fit universal overlap liners ranging from 48"-54" in height.
Measuring the wall's height from the base of the bottom track to the top of the wall. Do not measure from inside, always measure from the outside. Move any debris that may be in the way so you can measure from the base. Measure upward to underneath your pools top rail. This is your wall height.
Next you will need the diameter, if your pool is round. Using the examples below, you will be able to determine the diameter of your round pool.
How to measure the diameter of a round pool with even number of uprights.
In this example, the pool has a total of 14 uprights. Since it is an even number you simply split that in half which is 7. So you mark the #1 upright and count 7 uprights over being careful not to count the first upright. Use a tape measure to determine the distance between the #1 upright and the #7 upright; this is your diameter of the pool.
How to measure the diameter of a round with odd number of uprights.
In this example the pool has 15 uprights. To get the halfway point you'll need to first find the highest even number of uprights your pool has. In this example that number is 14. Simply count 7 uprights in ether direction and Be sure not to count the #1 upright when counting to the #7 upright. Use a tape measure to measure from the #1 upright to between the #7 upright and next upright which is the #8 upright. This is your pools diameter.
Different types of liners are:
Overlap pool liners will overlap the top rim of the wall and are clamped down with a coping strip. These pool liners are the most affordable. You may not be able to find many colors or patterns in this type of liner though. Overlap liners are the hardest to install, requiring basic items which will come with your pool. These liners now come universal to fit pool wall heights of between 48" -54".
J-hook pool liners are called that because of the way that are mounted and hang on the top of your pool wall via a J-shaped adapter. They are not as cheap as overlap pool liners, but are easier to remove and replace should you need to do so. J-hook liners also come in a wider variety of patterns and colors than overlap liners. J-Hook liners can come as a uni-bead or an ez-bead.
Regular bead pool liners are considered the best available, mainly because they include the largest variety of pattern selection, they are easily installed. They require a track system called bead receivers. The tracking is placed on the wall itself to receive the bead directly into the groove of the bead receiver. The bead snaps into the track. If your pool was installed with this system then replacing your liner could not be easier. Taking apart the top rails is not necessary. Just remove old liner and the new liner fits in the same bead track
Uni-bead liners are liners are both the J-hook and regular beaded together as one. You can use both applications separately. For J-hook you simply hook the liner over the top of your pools wall. For a regular bead you cut away the J-hook portion and tuck the bead into your bead receivers.
Mil Vs Gauge which one is best thickness for you?
Most manufactures sell liner thickness with two choices. There is the mil choice and the gauge choice. The fact is that these terms are interchangeable and mean the same thing in the pool industry. So when you have the choice of a 20 mil it's the same as a 20 gauge. This 20 mil or 20 gauges represents the standard thickness of above ground pool liners on the markets today. Having a 25 mil or 25 gauge liner is of course thicker and will carry a better warranty and generally last longer. All liners are subject to punctures and tears from outside elements.
Foam flooring and covings
Foam covings are a choice in regards to an above ground pool liner installation. We recommend if your pool has them to inspect for any damaged pieces and replace them. If your pool doesn't have any and you want them. Then you will have to take the entire base of your pool down to accommodate the installation of the covings. The picture represents at what level the floor will needs to be.
There are two choices when it comes to covering the bottom of your floor base. First is regular foam which comes on a roll and can be cut and taped into place before the liner is set. Second choice is a geotextile material that is manufactured to fit your floor exactly. Just lay it out into pace and tape it to the bottom of the wall. Not all cut to fit pads fit perfectly so adjusting for fit will be necessary. The geotextile is more expensive but it was developed and used for trash dump containers. So it is very tough when it comes to protecting against rocks and other debris that may make it to your floors bottom.
When it comes to above ground pool liner replacement, I have replaced thousands of them over my career and I share this experience with you. Visit please stop by my site for a free 20 page e-guide to Above Ground Pool Liners
