Round Pool Smaller

by Bob S.
(Cocoa Florida, USA)

Can you take a 24 ft. round pool and make it smaller in size by removing some panels?

I'm planning on moving and want to take it with us, and the other yard is not quite as big. Thanks



Hi Bob. It is possible to make a round pool smaller, but not quite as easy as you describe. Above ground pool walls are normally one piece, so there are not actually panels to remove. It's one continuous roll, but it can be cut down in size fairly easily. When I am installing the wall in the new sized framework I overlap the beginning by about six inches. I then score the wall several times with a razor knife. The wall can then be bent back and forth until it snaps.

At the joint I normally just add a second row of nuts and bolts. That seems to be plenty of strength. I have never tried to fold over the ends and make hems on them, that seems like a lot of extra work.

When you change the size of your pool the arc of the radius changes also. Most top rails are adjustable and can be used on 18', 21', 24' and 27' pools just by changing the location where you install the screws. If the rails do not have multiple hole options new holes will have to be made.

The only parts that will not work are your bottom rails. You would need to get new ones for the size pool you are planning to build. The arc of the rails is very different between the sizes and just leaving a few out will not work.

So, you will need to pick a common size, like an 18' or a 21', get new bottom rails, and the rest is pretty easy.