Expandable Liner for Above Ground Pool

by Dave Adamonis
(Homewood , IL)

Does an expandable liner have more material on the bottom section to allow for a cupped bottom? Or is it the same as a standard liner with longer side walls?

I have a 48" x 27' round above ground pool. For the first 4 feet it is about 42" to the water level and then it slopes to about 53" or 54" at the center.

Do I need an expandable liner for this or would a standard liner do the job?




Hi Dave. You definitely need an expandable liner. A normal liner will handle a dip of maybe six inches, in most cases. Any more than that and I would use an expandable liner.

An expandable liner will fit a flat bottom pool the same as it does a deep area pool. The liner stretches to fit the area you have created. There should be plenty of wall material to fit a 48 or 52 inch pool. It is the bottom area that stretches, and if no stretch is needed, it lays out on a flat bottom pool the same as a uniform depth liner.

There are also what they call veri-depth liners and these are usually made with a larger bottom section that is made to fit a particular size hole. In this case the hole should be dug exactly how the liner directions show you. An example of this would be a beaded vinyl liner made for a deep end application. The liner needs to be the exact same size as the deep area for the liner to be installed wrinkle free.

Please visit these two pages for more information about expandable liners and stretching liners into an above ground pool.

Above Ground Pool Liner Installation

Expandable Liner Installation