Liner Overhang on an Above Ground Pool

by William
(Conneticut)

I am trying to replace my liner. If I only have two inches of overhang is there a problem with the type of liner I have?



Hi William. Your liner is probably just fine, and two inches of overhang is fine if it is even all the way around and the pool fills up without pulling any of it in.

Some manufactures of vinyl liners make them a little on the small size. There are some brands that are nearly impossible to install on a cold cloudy day, but given the same liner in warm direct sun they go right in.

The outdoor temperature, amount of direct sunlight, and how you install the liner combine to create a lot of variables in how your liner will fit.

If you stretch the liner into place, most liners can be made to fit even on the worst days. On a cold day you may only get two inches of liner left to overhang, while on a hot sunny day you may get six inches or more.

If you are installing the liner from inside the pool, not stretching it, it can seem nearly impossible even on a sunny day. On a cold cloudy day it very easily could be impossibility. This is not necessarily the fault of the liner manufacturer. In most cases, the liner they sold you will fit, but it may need to be stretched in on a sunny day.

Stretching an overlap liner into an above ground pool is the best way to install them. This technique is discussed on this page.

Above Ground Pool Liner Installation

More information about overlap liner installation and liner overhang can be found on these related pages.

Expandable Liner Installation

Overlap Liners

Vinyl Liner Overhang