What Gauge Liner To Use

by Richard Vellucci
(Safety Harbor fl)

I am replacing my existing 24' round pool (48" that is buried and has a deep end that is 2' over about have of the pool) with a new one that is 52".

The original liner, and a replacement that I used for 10 years, were 20 gauge and stretched to fit in the pool. Will a 25 gauge overlap liner stretch in this application or do I need to use 20 gauge or an expandable liner. Any other suggestions or info that would help in this decision would be appreciated. Thanks

Hi Richard

Either a 20 mil or a 25 mil expandable liner will work just fine. There is no 20 mil flat bottom liner that will stretch into a 2' deep end so I am very sure you used expandable liners previously.

I would strongly recommend using a Doughboy brand expandable liner. I prefer their 20 mil over the 25 and it is much less expensive. I prefer Doughboy because it will expand into any size deep end you have, it is a true expandable liner. These liners can be installed into a deep end pool with no wrinkles. I do not know of any other liners that can do that, and I have tried many.

I want to also add a quick note about the difference between gauge and mil. A 20 mil liner equals about a 16 gauge liner. A 25 gauge liner would be the equivalent of a 20 mil liner.

So my advice is to be sure you get an expandable liner. And if you want a smooth install, go the extra dollars and get a Doughboy. They are just the best liners for deep ends.

The Right Size Pool Liner

by Jamie
(Ohio)

I have a 27' round-54" pool that I purchased about 8 yrs ago. I have read online that you can use a 52" liner as a replacement. The sites that I read it on say that you just need to build a larger cove.

My pool wall actually measures 53 1/2". Is there any truth to this?

Hi Jamie

Most overlap liners allow at least 6" of liner to hang over the wall. The key word is most. Most overlap 52" liners would easily stretch into a 54" wall pool. If you use the stretching method shown in the links below, and you do the installation on a warm day in full sunlight you would probably do just fine. Adding a little extra cove might help also but probably not necessary.

Expandable Liner Installation

Overlap Liners

These pages might help also.

Vinyl Liner Replacement

Vinyl Liner Overhang

Now if you are using a beaded liner, again I would say you will be just fine. Be sure to install it on a sunny day.

Beaded liners are known for being a little on the large size, causing a mess like in the photo. So installing a 52" liner in a 54" pool should work just fine.

We spent an entire summer installing 48" beaded liners in 52" wall pool simply because the fit was perfect.

I would try it without building the cove up anymore, just make use of the sunshine.

Overlap or Beaded Liner

by Allen Stegall
(Easley, SC)

I have an outback above ground pool and its about 5 yrs old. A cat fell in this past winter and tore the liner so we are replacing it.

It came with an Overlap liner, my question is can I use a beaded for the new one? I have been told they are much easier to install. I haven't taken any of the top rails off yet to look but I know there is a plastic clip on the overlap liner now and that's it.

Thank you for any info you can give.

Hi Allen

I have a very strong preference for overlap liners and would use them whenever possible. I find it easier to keep the wrinkles out with an overlap and I always end up with a better looking installation.

My big problem with beaded liners are the inconsistent fit. If they are slightly too big for the pool you wind up with wrinkles every time. It they are too small for the pool you could have problems keeping the bead in the receiver. They only fit just right part of the time, the rest of the time they can be a pain.

If you plan to cover the top rail with a deck you would probably want to convert to a beaded liner, if not I see no reason. To convert a pool to beaded requires you to buy and install bead receivers. To install these receivers you still need to remove the top rails so why not just install the overlap liner.

These pages offer more information about beaded and overlap liners.

Overlap Liners

Beaded Liners

Above Ground Pool Liner Installation

Vinyl Liner Overhang

Beaded Liner Conversion

What Kind of Liner Do I Need

by Lyle
(Green Bay)

I bought a used 27 ft by 4 ft pool and need a new Liner.

Do I need a overlap or a beaded one?

Hi Lyle

Your parts clearly show that you need an overlap liner.

Thank you for sending the photo, it makes answering questions so much easier.

Your pool uses coping strips, the plastic pieces that go over top of an overlap liner.

A beaded liner would have a bead receiver. A bead receiver would take the place of the coping and the metal retaining rods.

Be sure to follow all of my overlap liner installation helpful tips when installing it and best of luck.

Also, you are using a foam coving. That's a good thing, I like the stuff, it is good protection from a cove washout. But yours is used, not a big problem, but it may have shrunk a bit.

If you come up a little short at the end, don't panic. Back it all up until you have some even gaps and use plenty of duct tape over the joints.

27’ Liner For 28’ Pool

I have noticed that some places carry a 27' round pool liner and others carry a 28'. Will these both fit a 28' round pool or not?

Hi

I would not order a liner unless it was the exact one needed for my pool. Size does make a difference.

If you have a 28' pool it is probably a Doughboy pool. They made 28' pools while most everyone else made 27' round pools. Doughboy has always been different with oval pools also. Most companies would have a 15' x 30' while they made a 16' x 24' and 16' x 32'.

It sounds like what you need is a Doughboy 28' liner. I know what you are thinking, they are so expensive. Yes they are, but you get what you pay for. Doughboy makes the best liners on the market so you need to consider how long you want this liner to last. A Doughboy liner could easily last fifteen plus years. If you are looking this far into the future make a good investment now. If you are just hoping for five years or less, buy one of the less expensive liners.

While Doughboy is the only manufacturer to make a 28' pool, I'm sure you could find Swimline brand in that size, and yes, they will cost a lot less.

But, to answer your question, get the right size for you pool, it will make a big difference.

EZ Liner Bead Height

So, I'm about to purchase an EZ liner for my 16' x 24" x 52" pool. However, pool liners come in 48" and 52" varieties. My question is this.. If the bead height from the bottom edge of the pool is actually 50". What happens to the 2 extra inches if I order the 52" pool height liner?? Will there be wrinkles? Is the EZ liner from Doughboy custom to fit that 50 inch height? Helpful advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Hi

The liner size is based on wall size, not the distance from ground to the bead receiver. So, you have a 52" wall and need a 52" liner.

Beaded Liner With Styrofoam Base

What size beaded liner should I use for an above ground fifty two inch by 28 foot round pool that has a 1 inch styrofoam base?

Hi

A beaded liner should allow for a 1-2" base, that should not be a problem. You should go with the 52" liner.

Measuring The Wall Height

by Scott
(Massachusetts)

Hello, about 3 years ago, my wife and I came across someone wanting to take down their 24' Atlantic above ground pool. We could take it away if we took it down.

In an afternoon we had it drained, disassembled, liner folded up and packed into my pickup. The following weekend we prepped the area in our back yard, hauled in approx 300 bags of play sand and set up our newly acquired pool.

Install went great without any major problems. Btw, it's a beaded liner. Other than a couple small holes in the liner that were easily repaired, the kids enjoyed the whole summer in it.

After the wind getting under our winter cover and plowing it in the pool, we were able to see a long tear in the liner under the skimmer. We knew we eventually needed to replace the liner, and looks like now is the time to order one. After reading online how to measure for the new liner, I headed outside to measure the wall height expecting it to be either 48" or 52". With my tape on top of the metal rail at the bottom of the wall to the top of the wall measured 51".

With it being a beaded liner do I subtract the distance from the top of the wall to the top of the bead??? Not really sure what size liner to get! Am I over thinking this? Do they figure all those measurements in when I order the liner? Do I build up the sand to make it 48"???

Any help would be great, thanks, Scott.

Hi Scott

You may be over thinking it a bit. The bottom rail is about an inch thick and that would add another inch to your 51" measurement. I would order the 52" liner and you should be just fine.