Installing Foam Board as a Pool Bottom

by Elaine
(Wisconsin)

I've seen your pages about using foam board as a pool bottom and love the idea. I ordered an armor shield liner which claimed to be thicker that other pool pads and would be a cushion for the feet. When it came it was paper thin. I was very disappointed and sent it back. I feel a foam bottom will be easier to keep clean when vacuuming since you don't have the foot print impressions to deal with. Do you have any advice for installation in a 24 foot round above ground pool? I'm replacing my liner and now is the time to do this. I'm concerned that any gaps in the foam will be detrimental to the liner. Thank you in advance for your input. Elaine



Hi Elaine. Styrofoam does make a nice base for an above ground pool, and I agree about the pool pads, they are all very thin.

I start by laying out as many full sheets as possible and taping them all together with duct tape. Next comes the hard part of cutting all the pieces for the curved areas. You can use a razor knife to score the foam, then snap it to make your cuts. Making the correct size templates out of cardboard is a good way to get the foam cut correctly the first time so you are not wasting any. As each piece is cut and fitted, tape it in place.

The outer edge does not have to be perfect because it will be covered up with preformed pool cove. Pool cove comes in two varieties, the type with plastic on the back for snapping into the bottom rail and the type with tape on the back. You will not have a bottom rail to work with so get the less expensive cove with the sticky back.

Use as much tape as needed on the pool cove. All the joints need taped as well as any place it is not fitting firmly against the side wall.

Using 4 x 8 sheets of Styrofoam for a pool base is not hard to do but it is time consuming. It requires a lot of patience to get all the pieces placed just right and securely taped.

Below are a few of the pages related to using foam for a pool base.

Pool Cove and Foam Pads

Gorilla Pad, Happy Bottom and Foam

Foam Under Vinyl Liner

Styrofoam For Above Ground Pool

The Best Above Ground Pool Base

Base For Above Ground Pool

Foam Pool Base

Pool Floor Pads

Pool Underlay