It’s an embossed surface area that not only feels good underfoot but provides additional grip while getting in and out of your swimming pool. Textured vinyl is just what it sounds like. If you do decide to go with vinyl over steps, you’ll have another consideration to make when picking out your pattern… Texture If you have vinyl over features, especially steps, it’s highly recommended to go with a no tile pattern since the tile could be long and end up down the pool wall and actually onto your step. Vinyl over steps are gorgeous in a vinyl pool and give you a much higher-end look than the classic white bolt-on step. You can cover a number of stair types and other built-in features in your liner of choice: Swim-outs, sundecks, benches, tanning ledges, in-pool bar stools… if it’s under your pool’s water, ask if it can be covered! There’s almost nothing that they can’t cover in your pool in order to create a seamless appearance. Here’s a quote from our Royal Swimming Pool’s blog that says it best: The last thing to keep in mind when deciding on if you want a tile or not is if you’re going to have vinyl over steps. Tile borders can be removed from almost any liner pattern so even if you find something you love with a tile, you can most likely get the underneath pattern solo. If you’re seeking sleek and simple it’s best to go with a no-tile pattern. You want to choose a pattern or tile that compliments your patio. Keep the surrounding area of your pool in mind when choosing this. Tile is a decorative design boarding the edge of your liner and is seen above the waterline on a swimming pool. The easiest thing to decide on with the pattern is if you want a tile or no-tile look. Some liners are now being made using shimmering or metallic inks which gives your pool extra sparkle and luster instantly. If you’ve got a real taste for something different, you can even find jewel or swimming fish patterns. Instead, you typically find everything from ceramic tile prints to marble, from sand to natural stone. It’s extremely rare for a liner to come in a solid color. Just as it was important to visualize the color of your pool, knowing what your ideal pattern is will also help you trim many liners off of the consideration list. Pool depth and sunlight effect your vinyl color Pattern Take a look at your yard at multiple times of the day to get a good idea of what to expect when it comes to how lighting will affect your pool’s color. Just like a cloudy day will make your pool seem darker, shadows from surrounding trees or even your house will do the same thing. Keep in mind, no matter what color you choose, natural lighting will have a huge effect on the result. This is considered to be a trendy liner color for new pool owners. Vivid blue liners draw the eye with their vibrant blue tone and are very complimentary to most patio set-ups. As all pools reflect the sky, the combination with the natural stone color of the liner will give you a more natural-looking oasis, especially if paired with a freeform-shaped pool. AquaĪqua liners achieve a lagoon look with tan or sandy pattern colors. They are less susceptible to fading but will have to be cleaned more since it will be easier to see imperfections in the water. Light blue liners are the traditional favorite. However, they do tend to fade more over time than lighter liners. They also absorb heat from the sun helping to make your pool a little warmer. They are on the darker side so dirt and small debris are less noticeable. Deep Blueĭeep blue liners give a sense of luxury. While there are black, grey, or even purple liners out there, the bulk of what is presented will fall into one of these four shades. There are four main color groups for vinyl liners: Deep Blue, Light Blue, Vivid Blue, and Aqua. What color is the water? Sure, 99% of pool owners say “Blue,” but there are many different shades of blue and knowing what you want the result to be is the fastest way to cut out liners that won’t achieve your desired look. Sounds easy, but take the time to visualize your dream. ColorĬhoosing your liner starts with knowing what you want your pool to look like. When choosing a liner for your vinyl swimming pool, there are few key points you can decide on upfront that will help you quickly narrow down your options. However, this has also caused a rise in the number of liners available, making the task of finding “the one” seems a bit overwhelming. Their ability to mimic more complex designs at lower price points than a similar gunite or fiberglass pool has quickly grown their popularity. Vinyl liner swimming pools have evolved over recent years.