Key Takeaways
- Vinyl swimming pools in the 21st century beat both a fiberglass pool and a concrete pool in terms of price, feel, and versatility.
- With vinyl pool liners, you can customize your pool’s design/layout, color, and liner pattern according to your preferences: think options like modern, dark, and moody; or fun, bright, and playful! Vinyl pool liners are nearly infinitely customizable in this way.
- Vinyl-lined pools have shorter installation times and are generally less expensive than concrete, meaning you can enjoy your pool in just a few weeks.
Vinyl Liner Pool Benefits: The Pros & Cons
Looking to build a pool and completely transform the way you use your backyard?
Thanks to advances in technology over the last two decades, a vinyl swimming pool is a great option in today’s day and age, both in terms of price and durability. What makes a vinyl lined pool in 2024 that much better than thirty years ago, AND better than alternatives like fiberglass?
Let’s take a look at the pros and cons.
Vinyl Liner Pools: Some Background
Before we get into the details, it’s worth talking a little bit about why we care about vinyl liner pools, and alternatives. First, as a pool company, we install two types of inground pool: vinyl lined and fiberglass, which are pre-formed off-site and shipped to your home).
Our go-to when talking about building a new pool with prospective customers is generally to point them towards a vinyl pool liner for inground swimming pools. That’s despite the fact that we are trained in a variety of approaches(!) – simply put, vinyl liners today just make a ton of sense.
Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of vinyl.
Pro: Vinyl Lined Pools Are Cost-Effective
Even as they are 100% customizable in shape, depth, and size, vinyl liner pools remain more affordable than other options, including concrete pools and, in most cases, fiberglass swimming pools.
The initial cost to install a vinyl inground pool is lower, making it a budget-friendly option for new homeowners and new pool owners alike. Moreover, vinyl liner pools generally have lower maintenance and upkeep costs and burden, particularly those that are inground.
While pre-formed fiberglass pools can be similar in price to vinyl lined – freight costs in our area generally mean they are MORE expensive than vinyl-lined – they’re not nearly as customizable to your home/yard.
Vinyl pools in the Spokane area generally begin at around $90,000 installed, including all equipment lighting etc., while fiberglass pools begin at $105,000 and concrete at around $115,000.
Pro: Lots of Options to Design Your Dream Swimming Pool
Probably the most distinctive feature of vinyl pools compared to fiberglass pools is just how customizable they are. You can get a custom pool tailored especially to the shape, size, depth, and color you want – plus add ledges and benches or tanning shallows of all kinds!
This is generally one of the main draws of concrete – but no longer. Whether you want a circle, rectangle, or free-shape pool with tanning ledges and spill-overs, choosing a vinyl pool with Recreate Contracting means you’ll be able to choose a shape that compliments your landscape and dream setting. Our vinyl pools can be built with a wide and sometimes surprising array of amenities and unique add-ons.
Pro: Swimmers Will Enjoy The Non-Abrasive, Velvety Surface
Out of all the pros and cons of vinyl pools, this is often a major differentiator in choosing a vinyl liner over fiberglass. Our vinyl liner swimming pools use Latham Pools’ industry-leading liners with UltraSeam Liner Technology – creating a super smooth surface that we often describe as
velvety”. And you can customize the color and design to your liking.
While fiberglass is generally a smooth surface, it doesn’t have the same gentle, smooth, and cushioned touch as a vinyl liner swimming pool. Concrete pools, sometimes called gunite, are considered the least smooth, even causing irritation and rashes due to abrasion on a swim gone wrong.
Pro: Vinyl is Compatible With Saltwater Systems
Many people hate the smell and feel of chlorine-based treatments for their pool water. For some, chlorine can even lead to irritation or discomfort.
Even if you or your family aren’t prone to chlorine irritation, it’s worth recognizing that vinyl-lined pools built with polymer walls are compatible with saltwater sanitization systems, which are gentler and have lower maintenance requirements than chlorine systems. This is a key element of long-term pool upkeep, and we’re happy to talk through these decisions any time.
Con: Vinyl Lined Pools Can Be Susceptible To Algae (Though Much Less So For In-Ground)
Above-ground vinyl pools are particularly susceptible to this issue.
Algae spores can attach to the surface of a vinyl liner, particularly in wrinkles or folds in the liner, leading to faster algae emergence than with alternatives. However, these “hiding places” are largely the result of an unprofessional installation process.
Proper pool installation with vinyl pool pros can obviate these problems entirely. Most well-installed vinyl pools won’t have algae problems beyond the norm of any pool.
Some of the factors that contribute to algae growth are poor water circulation, unbalanced pH levels, or insufficient sanitizer levels. Direct sunlight exposure can also be a factor. All of these tend to be a bigger issue for above-ground pools, which also tend to stay warmer than inground, creating a more ideal environment for algae growth. A professionally installed in-ground vinyl pool alleviates this downside.
Con: Vinyl Pool Liners May Need Replacing Every 10-15 Years
While a new vinyl liner is fairly inexpensive, vinyl pool liners need replacing every 10 to 15 years, on average.
Factors such as sun exposure, water chemistry, and physical wear and tear can reduce your liner’s longevity.
The upside, we’ve found, is that replacing your vinyl liner is fairly inexpensive, and many pool owners enjoy the prospect of refreshing the look of their pool with a new design or color scheme. It’s also an opportunity to add amenities like tanning ledges or play areas.
Con: Vinyl Pools Carry a Stigma (Not Anymore!)
In the past, vinyl swimming pools have carried a stigma associated with being less durable or luxurious than other pools. Thankfully, advancements in construction techniques and technology have largely resolved this concern among today’s pools. A modern vinyl pool can rival any concrete or fiberglass pool in terms of durability, aesthetics, and quality.
Other Vinyl Pool FAQs
What does an in-ground vinyl pool cost?
Our packages for a custom in-ground vinyl pool begin at $92,000, including all of the necessary accessories and equipment to have you up and running.
What maintenance requirements are involved with vinyl liner pools?
Like any swimming pool, vinyl pools require regular maintenance to keep them clean and usable.
Skimming the surface, vacuuming the pool floor, balancing water chemistry, and periodic cleaning to prevent algae growth are all part of owning or building a new pool.
How long does it take to install a vinyl liner pool?
Installing a vinyl swimming pool in the Spokane area will take anywhere from 5-8 weeks in typical installation scenarios depending on site and permitting. This will vary mostly based on the size of the pool and what preparations need to be made on-site.
How does the initial cost of a vinyl liner pool compare to other types?
Installing a vinyl swimming pool will cost less than a concrete pool and is largely in line with a fiberglass pool. As vinyl liner pools are fully customizable, this is a key factor in determining what you’re looking for.
What impact does a vinyl liner pool have on home resale value?
A well-maintained swimming pool will generally increase your home’s resale value. Ultimately though, it will depend on whether a buyer prefers to have a pool or not, and current market trends.
What factors should I consider in the right type of pool for me?
Budget, maintenance requirements, and aesthetic preference are the top factors in choosing the right pool or your home.
A professional pool contractor can help you make the decision. Give us a call for a free consultation and estimate for your new pool.
Talk To The Pool Pros at Recreate Contracting
Curious to learn more?
Recreate Contracting is a Latham-certified professional pool installer and general contractor, building beautiful pools to turn your backyard into a true oasis. We do it all: from new decks and pergolas to complement your new pool, to automatic pool covers and pool automation technology, we’re Spokane’s clear choice in new pool installers.
Get in touch for a free consultation today.
Pst – We can help with construction project financing, too!
