Gunite -vs- Vinyl lined

[Pool_Mike]

True or False?

Is vinyl lined better then gunite?

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The big misconception out there is that a vinyl lined inground swimming pool is a step down from a gunite swimming pool.

But the truth is a vinyl lined steel walled swimming pool will out last any gunite swimming pool structure hands down.

A gunite swimming pool is made up of rebar and concrete with about 1/3" to 1/2" of plaster finish. The problem is, that is not enough to keep the pool structurely sound. The fill dirt that they put behind the pool walls can settle or wash out which will cause the water weight to put enough pressure on the walls to crack the swimming pool. Cracks in the swimming pool wall or floor can also happen from expansion and contraction of the ground. In some cases if water gets underneath the swimming pool it can literally push the swimming pool up out of the ground.

What does this mean for you? It means a very expensive hole in the ground that will cost you thousands of dollars to fix. If we look at what's done all around us you can see why a vinyl lined steel walled swimming pool is the way to go. All the large buildings and bridges in the United States today are built with steel and not just concrete and rebar. Because the builders know what is going to hold the structures together for a long time.
price.

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*** I just want to keep my options open before they dig the hole :D

[JonnyG]

I am no engineer (well I am an engineer but not for concrete) but we did a shotcrete pool. The concrete was poured in October and I let it sit all winter (without plaster). The pool did not crack or move. No problem with the dirt around the pool as it had a good solid winter to settle. The pool was finished in the spring and we are just getting to start swimming. Shotcrete seemed to be the best option when I researched pools. I have at minimum of 12 inches of concrete in the walls of the pool and much more around the base (all reinforced with rebar). From an engineering perspective, I was quite impressed with the structure - arhhhh arhhh arh (I like BIG). It took a long time to build and costs a lot of money but I am really happy with what I got. This thing should last forever.

I always beleive that you get what you pay for (except if you go to a pool store :p )

[MarkC]

Is this a troll or what? I'll take the bait.
I don't know where you obtained the information on concrete pool construction but there is no fill dirt problem. After the hole is dug to the shape of the pool rebar is placed a few inches away from the existing dirt and either gunite or shotcrete are sprayed directly onto the dirt that is there and built up to a certain thickness. Certian climates add more rebar for area that are prone to freeze thaw cycles.
Your comments may be more accurate for a Fiberglass pool where fill is added after the shell is installed and the forum has had members who complain about bulges in the pool or uneven settling.

[Pool_Mike]

So are Vinyl lined pools good or bad to invest in?

:(

[JShilling]

For my $$$ I went with gunite - With 2 pool loving dogs I was afraid for the liner - 1 replaced liner and you are in the same price range as a gunite pool:)

[sunofthebeach]

Here is my 2 cents

a well constructed gunite pool can last forever. I am sure 100 years from now there will be gunite pools that are over 100 years old. I don’t think the same will be true about vinly pools.

But a well built vinly lined pool can last a long time also. My parents have one that is 25 years old.

All the large buildings and bridges in the United States today are built with steel and not just concrete and rebar, but the foundations for buildings and bridges are build from concrete.

I dont think most vinal liners will outlast plaster either.

There is nothing wrong with a vinyl pool. They are usually cheaper. I looked at your other posts and you got a quote for a gunite pool for $33,000. That price seems right for my area. If a vinyl pool company could build a similar pool in the mid to low $20,000. Range I would consider it.

If the price is the same or only a few thousands lower, no question ....... get the Gunite

Also I would not buy a pool from the company you got this information from.

[EricF]

It really is personal preference. Neither one is intrinsically better than the other.

First of all, IMHO, no pool is a good "investment". Adding a pool to most houses is usually neutral when it comes to resale value, although may not be true in certain regions/markets. What you are really investing in is your own enjoyment.

Vinyl is much less expensive in my area, and the pool will be finished much faster. This is why it is much more popular choice among pool owners that I know. I chose gunite for several reasons, including:

1. Dogs. I have two golden retrievers that love the water, and I did not want to worry about liner tears.
2. Appearance. Don't get me wrong, there are very good looking vinyl pools out there, I just prefer the way a gunite and tile pool looks and "feels".
3. Custom design. Gunite allows for just about any design you want. I must admit, however, there are a lot of vinyl shapes and designs to choose from.

My advice would be to look at and swim in both types of pools, and then decide what you prefer at a given price level. Both can provide many years of enjoyment.

EricF

[Bleach=Chlorine?]

My gunite pool is 30 years old. The plaster has only been replaced once and part of the reason was because the pool sat un-used for several years. Everthing still looks brand new and I wouldn't be suprised to get another 20-30 years out of the pool before major work is required. Also, I am in Northeast so plently of freezing and thawing.

[Simmons99]

I think this is a question of personal preference. I have been in concrete and vinyl pools. As far as I am concerned from a swimmers point of view they are both fine.

When I decided to build a pool - I decided on a concrete because the contractors in the area were more experienced with it - I have seen 25+ year old concrete pools that are structurally sound - and I had a friend that had a vinyl pool that said that replacing the liner was a real pain and she wished she had a concrete pool (I did remind her that a concrete pool has maintenance as well).

I have only ever seen one pool "pop" out of the ground. It was 10' deep pool in an area of Florida about 12' above sea level in a flood plain - the person drained the whole pool - there was a large rain storm and out it came! Why - because the water table was higher than the bottom of the pool. You can't drain a vinyl pool all the way or the liner will get all messed up - so I don't think those "issues" are really issues at all.

[MaryLee]

I LOVE the look of a gunite pool. However, the pool we put in is an 18 X40 vinyl. We chose that because I wanted a pool I could swim laps in and the pool is really just a "play" pool for my 2 young kids. We could have spent the same money and gone with a gunite, but we would have had to settle with a much smaller pool.

For now, vinyl is right for us. After the kids move out and we "downsize", I will put in the gunite pool of my dreams!!:D

[Pool_Mike]

I LOVE the look of a gunite pool. However, the pool we put in is an 18 X40 vinyl. We chose that because I wanted a pool I could swim laps in and the pool is really just a "play" pool for my 2 young kids. We could have spent the same money and gone with a gunite, but we would have had to settle with a much smaller pool.

For now, vinyl is right for us. After the kids move out and we "downsize", I will put in the gunite pool of my dreams!!:D


This is same reason for me. 2 kids 8 & 3. They said that they can put everything that the gunite offered me and be ruffly about 7K- 10K less then the pool quote I got.

I love to do gunite and did some reading on pool & Spa website and there was nothing negitve really about vinyl.

Since here in Austin, TX we do get heavy rains and flash floods... I am just wondering if the pool becomes over-flooded and the liner will not hold it. What is your take along that issue?

[y0manda]

I really didnt give it much though on considering which to get vinyl or gunite.
Gunite is definity the only way to go. I had special engineering plans for my pool because of a big slop in my backyard. The backend of my pool and 4' raised spa acted as a retaining wall. something you couldnt do with a plastic pool. Vinyl lined pools are cheap looking and don't give you that "swimming pool" feel.

[MaryLee]

Vinyl lined pools are cheap looking and don't give you that "swimming pool" feel.

That's a little harsh....:(

[Bleach=Chlorine?]

I even have a gunite pool and I agree that last comment was harsh!!! ;-)

[MaryLee]

Since here in Austin, TX we do get heavy rains and flash floods... I am just wondering if the pool becomes over-flooded and the liner will not hold it. What is your take along that issue?

Well, here in NH, we've had some major flooding the last few weeks. My pool was filling up to the coping faster than I could drain it.......no problems whatsoever with the liner holding up.

There are overflow drains built-in that you can get. Looking back, I wish I had one put in....I can't tell you how many times I've had to drain my over-flowing pool the last few years ....it would have been well worth it.

[Bleach=Chlorine?]

Building a new pool today I would seriously consider vinyl. 30 years ago when a concrete pool was not highway robbery I think it would have been a no-brainer.

[SLS]

I like vinyl pools because after adding a new liner for $2,000 dollars you basically have a new looking pool. After 10 to 12 years your ready for a new pattern or color. Easy to keep up with the current "trends". You can also buy complete kits for under $7500 and if you know (or hire) the right people you can install them very cheaply :)

[imfignewton]

All swimming pools are a luxury. Spend what you are willing to and enjoy your back yard and pool with family and friends. Swimming Pools are all about enjoying life so enjoy.

If some one has a house for sale in the Del Mar CA. area for the same price it was offered at 30 years ago I would like to buy, if your offering it for any more then it would be highway robbery.

ENJOY YOUR POOL WITH FAMILY AND FREINDS

[MarkC]

One downside the vinyl liners is you can't go to very high chlorine levels without damaging your liner. If you keep your water balanced this should not be a problem though. I did have a problem when I added dry acid to a vinyl liner pool once and it left an area where the acid sat that looked wrinkled. I have 2 dogs that swim daily so I went with concrete. My concrete pool builder was actually cheaper than the vinyl guy we had out. Only $18,000 5 years ago.

[beary]

Waiting for a house to sell, we have been shopping for a pool for six months thinking vinyl liner petty much the whole time. You can build some really nice looking vinyl pools now, but when we got down to details, we found vinyl pools haven't progress to beach entries or custom changes in shapes at reasonable prices. You can customize the shape, but the cost shoots up because shape changes require the pool manufacture to design than build the steel to the shape. Even worse is after you spend the extra money for the change, the liner still may not fit perfectly. Just about every contractor we interviewed told us that it is next to impossible to get those complicated liners to fit perfect and look good.

Our price for the pool we designed with everything we wanted was within just a couple thousand of the Gunite, so we switched. If you like the basic shapes of the vinyl pools presented in the brochures, than vinyl is a good option. If you want more freedom to build the pool with the shape of your dreams using beach entries, custom swimouts, and suntan ledges, then you probably want gunite.

beary

[CarlD]

The old modern architechture saying "Form follows function" can be adapted: Pool lining follows shape and function. If vinyl won't do the job well, use gunite and don't worry about it.

If vinyl works and you're happy with it, use vinyl and don't worry about it.

It's not that one is "better" than the other, it's that applications are different and one or the other will be more appropriate.

Just be sure you have ALL the variables.