Vinyl liners are a less costly way to make your gunite pool more customizable. But are they the best solution? If you want to put a vinyl liner in your gunite pool, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
You can put up vinyl liners in a gunite pool, but it’s not recommended. Vinyl liners are a temporary solution that often results in more significant problems later on. It’s best to implement a permanent fix to your gunite pool to maintain its value and durability.
If you want to learn more about the differences between liner and gunite pools and whether you can put a vinyl liner in a gunite pool, we’ve got you covered. Let’s take a look at why people install vinyl liners in their pools, what they cost, and the advantages and disadvantages of using them.
Liner Pool vs. Gunite Pool
Gunite and vinyl pools often seem similar when they’re full of water or enclosed, but they are quite different.
Vinyl liners are usually available in modular panels that can fit almost any part of the pool’s bottom and sides. In fact, with these liners, you can make your pool broad, deep, or as long as you like. Depending on the builder you use, these pools can come in any shape, including curly free-form designs, with sundecks, swim-outs, and seats.
A gunite pool, on the other hand, is a type of concrete pool. It’s designed to meet your needs and is constructed by installing a steel rebar structure into the ground and pouring concrete and sand over the mixture to build it to your specifications (shape and size).
This pool design is very flexible, and to further customize gunite, you can add a smooth plaster coating, tile, or other cosmetic features.
Can You Put Vinyl Liner in a Gunite Pool?
Generally, the vinyl lining is incompatible with gunite pools and padding. Your pool will appear strange with it. And despite the liner, vinyl applied to gunite is prone to tears.
How Much Does It Cost to Put Liners in a Gunite Pool?
In-ground pool liners vary from around $1,500 to $5,000, whereas above-ground pool liners cost between $350 and $1,500. However, most people spend between $835 and $2,890 on average. The replacement cost factors in labor, the liner’s thickness, and the pool’s size.
Why Do People Put Liners In Gunite Pools?
Gunite pool owners prefer putting liners in gunite pools mainly for the following reasons:
To Fix a Leak in the Pool
Since repairing leaks in a concrete pool is much more complex and costly, many pool owners prefer putting a vinyl liner. After all, it will fix the problem quickly and with fewer costs.
Tile and Plaster Renovations Are Costly
In some cases, there’s usually nothing wrong with your pool other than that it’s old and requires some interior surface replacement.
The price of new curbing, tiles, and plaster repair in a concrete pool is high. Since this refurbishment can cost roughly 40% to 50% more than a new concrete pool installation, pool owners often go for a vinyl liner to lighten the financial load.
To Smoothen Concrete’s Harshness
If your concrete pool is rough and harsh on your feet, then this means that the internal surface needs some renovation. Most pool owners solve this with pool liners, but the concrete usually needs refurbishing to smoothen it before installing the miner, lest it suffer more damage.
To Sell Your House
Before selling your house, you may consider adding substantial value to your property, and what better way than adding a vinyl liner to your pool to make it more presentable
However, be cautious how you go about it because a liner in a concrete pool may signify to potential buyers that something strange is going on with your pool.
To Repair a Cracked Pool
A pool owner’s worst nightmare is a concrete pool with a cracked shell. With such structural damage, it seems ideal to install a vinyl liner to replace the coping strip and liner since it will be a reasonable cost-saving option.
Pros and Cons of Using Liner in Gunite Pools
Before you install vinyl liners, we recommend that you first weigh the benefits and drawbacks.
Pros
- Vinyl liners are less expensive to install. Building pools can be an expensive affair and liners are a budget-friendly option.
- They’re flexible and easy to install.
- They come in various colors, allowing you to choose one that goes with your home’s aesthetic.
Cons
- The liner will still leak. Making a swimming pool entirely waterproof is difficult even in ideal conditions. And converting a concrete pool to have all the systems for the main drains is vast, and it’s highly likely to result in leaks because such invasive adjustments are technically challenging.
- The value of your home may go down. A concrete swimming pool is like the Benz of swimming pools. So if you have a concrete pool with a vinyl liner, you’ve taken a luxury feature of your property and reduced its value.
- Liners aren’t durable. Vinyl liners quickly wear out and usually only last about one year.
