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The Daily Insight

How thick should my pool liner be

Author

Jessica Wilkins

Published May 02, 2026

When you are choosing a liner for your pool, liner thickness is one of the choices you will need to make. The two choices for in-ground pools are 20 mil and 27/28 mil. For the 27/28 mil, some companies call it 27 mil, while some call it 28 mil.

Is a thicker pool liner better?

Thicker pool liners are more puncture resistant, true – but they also contain more resins and plasticizers, so… a thicker liner should withstand harsh water conditions and UV exposure better than thinner.

Does pool liner thickness matter?

Ultimately, the decision on the thickness of vinyl liner to buy is a matter of preference, but it will stay with you for up to 10 years (and as little as 5) so it’s good to consider all the factors. A thicker inground pool vinyl liner will be able to withstand more impact and is more resistant to punctures.

What is a good thickness for an above ground pool liner?

If the pool will experience longer exposure to direct sunlight throughout the year or when you’re dealing with a rougher surface material, such as a concrete or a sand and concrete mixture, the appropriate, preferred mil of vinyl pool liner would be the 28-30 mil.

What MIL is a 25 gauge pool liner?

Step 2. 25 units – A 25 Gauge liner is 0.0223 inches thick. A 25 MIL liner is 0.0250 inches thick or approximately 12% thicker than a 20 Gauge liner.

Is a 25 gauge pool liner good?

Liner Durability If you have an above-ground or in-ground swimming pool that sees heavy use it’s often better to go with a thicker vinyl pool liner. Both 20 gauge and 25 gauge vinyl pool liners are typically made with double-weld seams to enhance durability.

How long will a 30 mil pool liner last?

The typical lifespan of a vinyl liner is anywhere from 15-20 years and where your liner falls in that range depends, most crucially, upon your proper maintenance of the pool’s chemistry.

Is 27 mil pool liner good?

27 mil liner and Thicker: The Good 27 mil liners may be a good choice for your swimming pool if you have poor floors or walls. Example: If you are in need of covering up an old concrete swimming pool, it may be in your best interest to use the thicker liners.

How much does it cost to put a new liner in an inground pool?

Inground pool liner replacement costs $3,000 to $4,000 on average with prices ranging between $1,400 and $4,800 for materials and labor. Above ground swimming pool liner replacement runs between $350 and $1,600 with most spending $700 on average.

What kind of pool liner is best?
  1. Cambridge Aquarius – 20 MIL – Most Popular Returning Pattern. …
  2. “HD” Electric Blue Oxford – 28 MIL – Runner Up for Most Popular Returning Pattern. …
  3. Mountain Summit & Blue Bali – Most Popular GLI Pool Liner Patterns.
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How long should above ground pool liner last?

The average above-ground pool liner will last 6–10 years. Liner warranties may last 25 to 30 years, but they’re extremely prorated.

How do I choose a pool liner?

  1. Select the Pattern. The most important choice you make when selecting a pool liner is the pattern. …
  2. Select the Thickness. The thickness of the liner is less important than the fit. …
  3. Liner Options. Here is your chance to stretch your creativity and express your personal style.

How long does it take to install inground pool liner?

Expect to spend 2 to 4 hours removing faceplates, gaskets, and the old vinyl pool liner, positioning and installing the new replacement liner prior to refilling the pool with water.

How long does a 27 mil pool liner last?

To start, vinyl pool liners are usually 20, 27, 28, or 30 mils thick. The decision on whether or not to upgrade the thickness is yours—but keep in mind that this detail that will be with you for 5-9 years.

Which is thicker 16 or 20 gauge vinyl?

The higher the gauge number, the thicker the vinyl. 20 gauge vinyl is very thick, probably thicker than you want to use for sewing anything bag related.

Which is bigger 16 gauge or 20 gauge?

Few people know why the thickness of steel diminishes as the gauge increases (ie: 16 gauge steel is thicker than 20 gauge steel). … The bottom number of the fraction became an easy identifier and eventually was adopted as the “gauge number.” Thus, 1/16″ became 16 gauge and 1/20″ became 20 gauge.

Why is my pool liner turning white?

If the calcium levels are too high, you see the white spots, which is the calcium hardening on the liner. Chemicals that are added can raise or lower the calcium levels. When levels reach above the 400-PPM level, you will see cloudiness in the water, making the pool appear dirty and the scaling will begin.

What is the life expectancy of an inground pool?

You can expect a concrete swimming pool to last about 25 to 40 years, average 30 years. The quality of construction and maintenance, specifically maintaining balanced pool chemistry, are the variables that affect pool lifespan the most.

Which is thicker 20 mil or 25 mil?

001 of an inch. A 20 Mil liner is . 020 of an inch thick, and a 25 Mil liner is a little thicker at . 025 of an inch thick.

How is vinyl thickness measured?

As a standard, vinyl liner thickness is measured in mils. A mil is 1/1000 of an inch, also called a “thou” (i.e., a thousandth): 20 mil = 0.020 in. … 30 mil = 0.030 in.

Will a 52 pool liner fit a 54 pool?

5. Would an overlap 48”/52” liner fit my 54” wall? No, overlap 48”/52” liners are not cut with enough wall material to be lifted and draped over the pool wall without excessive stretch. 6.

When should I replace my vinyl pool liner?

On average, inground vinyl liner pool owners need to replace their liners around every 5-9 years. The lifespan of your pool’s liner also largely depends on how the pool is maintained, so some will have to replace their liner sooner and others can go a bit longer.

Do dark pool liners make water warmer?

Deep Blue- A darker liner is more likely to absorb sunlight, and therefore can help to warm your pool water. Darker liners will also make it more difficult to see debris and dirt in your pool.

What is underneath a vinyl pool liner?

Vinyl liner pools have a custom made sheet of vinyl between the water and the pool walls and floor. … Underneath the liner is a sand or cementitious floor, troweled into place. The floor sidewalls come up to meet the walls, which are commonly 42” x 8 ft panels made of galvanized steel or thermoplastic.

Are black pool liners good?

As you might expect, dark liners — especially if they are patterned — are good at hiding dirt and debris. A darker pool liner also hides imperfections, like scratches and stains and making them less noticeable.

Is a vinyl pool worth it?

Vinyl Means Lower Maintenance Modern vinyl liners are extremely durable. Vinyl is a nonporous surface which means it won’t require as many chemicals as a concrete pool. Vinyl’s smooth surface also makes it harder for contaminants like algae to take hold and wreak havoc on your pool.

How warm does it need to be to install an above ground pool liner?

It is always best to install a liner when temperatures are above 65° with some sunshine. Liners should never be installed during temperatures below 50° and sunny. If you choose a pool liner that is thicker than standard (20 Mil is the standard thickness for in ground liners) then the need for warm weather is greater.

What temperature should it be to install a pool liner?

Extreme heat will cause the vinyl pool liner to expand too much to the point where you will never get the wrinkles out. Conversely, installing a vinyl pool liner on a very cold day will cause the vinyl to constrict and potentially tear. Ideal installation temperatures range between 50° and 80° F.

How do I measure my pool for a liner?

For an oval shape vinyl pool liner, measure the length from end to end at the center. Now measure the width in 2 or 3 places and then take the average of the width. Remember to measure inside wall to inside wall for length and width for correct measurements.

What type of pool is gunite?

Gunite pools use a rebar framework that is sprayed over with a concrete and sand mixture. Gunite is exceedingly durable, so swimming pools made of this substance are built to last. The versatility of gunite swimming pools means more than the ability to create an unlimited array of shapes.

What is the difference between gunite and concrete pools?

Concrete pools can be made of either shotcrete or gunite. The difference is when the concrete mixes with the water. … Gunite is dry concrete mix that only mixes with water at the nozzle when it’s sprayed.