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.