For residential use this shouldn t be a huge issue though if you re planning a commercial pool this could become problematic over time.
Gunite vs vinyl liner.
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.
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.
Vinyl liner pools do come with a warranty.
Unless you get a hole or tear in the liner vinyl doesn t usually require specific maintenance other than routine cleaning of the pool.
Gunite pools will require replastering and there is never a warranty on plaster.
The three basic types of in ground pools are fiberglass vinyl liner and gunite.
The surface of vinyl is not as porous as a plaster finish on a gunite pool which means vinyl liner pools use less sanitizer than a gunite pool roughly around 25 less on average the non porous surface leads to less chemical usage during the season and therefore less money spent on chemicals.
Wrinkles in your vinyl liner are only a cosmetic issue but many people prefer to smooth them out which takes significant time and effort.
Divots and dents are usually cosmetic as well but a bump due to a rock or pebble could lead to a tear in the liner.
Be sure to read the fine.
Vinyl now offers the same selection.
The vinyl liner is easily repaired and replaced with very little or no down time.
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.
The smoothest concrete pool surface is a cheese grader compared to vinyl.
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.
Many vinyl liner manufacturers have a 20 year pro rated warranty.
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.
Below is a breakdown of the pros and cons of each in ground pool type along with general pricing.
Vinyl linered pools can be cut though this is rare.
So an inexpensive vinyl pool does look cheaper than a gunite pool but a nice vinyl pool can look just like a gunite pool.
Construction techniques do vary.
Like with concrete pools you need to test.
Underneath the liner is a sand or cement like floor.
In severe cases draining of the gunite pool and acid washing the surface is your only solution.