Styrofoam for Above Ground Pool

by Lola
(Salisbury, NC, USA)

I have been hearing that using foam pad instead of sand makes for an easier liner installation - to get a smoother bottom. I have also read people asking if pink or blue is better. What I would like to know is this foam you are referring to the insulation type foam pads you would get at a home improvement store? What thickness is most recommended? - thanks Lola



Hi Lola. The sheets of Styrofoam I am talking about are 4’ x 8’ sheets in a basic white color. The thickness can be either 1” or 1 ½”. This type of material is usually available at the larger hardware stores. Aluminum awning companies might carry them also. They are the same material used in mobile home roof overs. The Styrofoam gets installed onto the roof and covered with an aluminum roof roll.

It is important when using these sheets that the ground is as smooth as possible. The Styrofoam could easily crack if laid on ground that is to uneven.

The hardest part of working with these sheets is cutting the round edges for laying against the pool wall. All the factory edges should be in the center area and the cuts used on the outer edge only. Every seam needs taped with duct tape. Any open spaces around the outer edge can be packed full using any scraps you may have. Preformed pool cove should be used around the outer edge. This will cover any rough cuts in the foam and give the correct shape to the pool base.

More reading about above ground pool base materials is here.

Pool Floor Pads