Thinking of going vinyl rather than gunite

[jbhogfan]

After much deliberation, I'm beginning to think we will go vinyl (do-it-yourself) rather than gunite due to cost. Vinyl owners and builders out there - what is a reasonable estimate for the life of the pool versus the gunite and in your opinion is it worth the money saved?

Also, if anyone has used any in-ground pools kits, I'd love to hear recommendations. Thanks for any input.

JBHogfan

[CarlD]

There's TONS of posts on this. Each has their advantages and disadvantages.

But a vinyl liner can last anywhere from 10 days (a crazy story for another time:rolleyes: ) to 20 years. Reasonable life expectancy is 5-15 years. The pool structure, though, with maintenance, should last indefinitely.

I'll check this later--and edit it. Gotta run now.

[jbhogfan]

Thanks very much for the info. I was most concerned about the structure so that's good to know.

JBHogfan

[CarlD]

OK,
Let me see if I can lay out the pros and cons of both. I'm a vinyl pool owner so I AM biased.

Vinyl Pros
Expense
Flexibility--if the ground shifts it can move with it.
Fast installation
Easy Replacement
Low maintenance--Brushing and proper water maintenance.
Durability--Expect between 5 and 20 years, but 8 to 15 is most likely
Chemical neutrality--it doesn't affect your water
Easy to add more returns or lights

Vinyl Cons
Appearance
Fragile--it can be cut by tools, doggy claws, some robotic cleaners
Can never be drained until replacement time
Vulnerable to chemicals--excess chlorine fades it, excess acid can soften or melt it. pH MUST be 6.9 or greater.
VERY brittle in winter
Repairs are visible.

Now for tile/plaster/concrete

Pros
NOTHING looks as good as a beautifully tiled pool
With maintenance, can last for decades or longer
Can tolerate FAR higher chlorine levels and far lower pH levels without damage
Durable. Claws, tools, robots can't make it leak
Can be drained dry (with care that ground water isn't high)
Repairs can be invisible

Cons
Expense.
Time of installation can be much longer than vinyl.
A bad installation can be expensive to fix.
A drained pool can float out if ground water is high--far more expensive than replacing a liner.
Repairs including resurfacing frequently are necessary every 5-10 years
New pools affect water balance, leeching calcium and raising pH.
Calcium levels must be maintained between 200 and 400ppm.
Algae can get into grout in a way it can't in vinyl.

Anybody else can add pros and cons to both.

[y0manda]

great post carl!

[divnkd101]

JB,

I am adding my two cents worth. I am fairly new to the forum but have enjoyed reading everyone's comments. I only had one true drawback to the vinyl pools. I enjoy playing/jumping/ running in the pool with the kids. My problem was that I could never keep my footing when in a vinyl pool. It is too slick of a surface for my liking. Having said that, I have no idea what your main use for the pool will be. That may never become a factor. Good luck in your selection and keep us posted.

[keithw]

I would add fiberglass into the equation if you are truely planning a DIY install. I put one in myself from start to finish including digging the hole and from a DIY perspective fiberglass is probably easier to install that Vinyl IMO.

Fiberglass

Pros
-Some really neat shapes and colors are available out there.
-Virtually indestructable. Should last 25+ years.
-Very limited amount of areas where it could leak.
-Chemical neutrality--it doesn't affect your water
-The digging of the hole does not have to be precise since backfill is utilized.
-Because of above, super duper fast install! Went from dig to backfill to fill in one day.
-Adding lights, returns, anything is a snap.
-Can be tiled just like a gunite pool.
-Very low maintenance.

Cons
-More expensive that vinyl but cheaper than gunite.
-The white shell version can show stains and may need to be cleaned on occassion.
-Can float out of ground similare to gunite if drained.
-Shapes are more limited than gunite.
-Can crack if not properly backfilled.
-May need a crane it get it in your yard/hole.

[jbhogfan]

Thanks everyone for the replies - it's certainly a lot to think about. Primarily our pool will be used for the kids (ages 3 through 10). I want my kids to enjoy it while they're young but I also want just a great place to look at in the backyard. Additionally, I do want a really deep end for diving - my husband loves to dive. I considered the fiberglass but wasn't sure if I could find something as large as I want (20X40 with a 10 feet deep end) so I might do some more research into that.

Although I'm extremely partial to the gunite, I'm afraid that with the gunite I might just be able to get the pool and nothing else whereas with the vinyl I could probably do both a pool and possibly small pool house and more landscaping. Also, didn't add this before but I definately want a spillover spa so that adds to the cost. I've been researching for about 2 years and still am undecided, ha! Thanks for all the assistance everyone - keep those ideas coming!

JBHogfan

[CJDahl]

I have a vinyl IG and have completely drained several time. I do have a vermiculite "hard bottom". No problems what-so-ever. No sure this should be a "con" of vinyl.

[aylad]

I have a vinyl IG and have completely drained several time. I do have a vermiculite "hard bottom". No problems what-so-ever. No sure this should be a "con" of vinyl.


It is a con for vinyl if you live in an area with a high water table

Janet

[tphaggerty]

I want (20X40 with a 10 feet deep end)
JBHogfan

Make sure you talk about this part with a qualified (and insured!!) pool designer. Pool designs have been standardized in order to limit PB's liability with regard to diving boards. If you do a 20x40 pool with a 10 foot deep end, you will have a relatively small shallow end due to the slope required out of the deep end. The "slope" out of the deep end can be neither too steep nor too shallow (the idea is to allow a diver to deflect off of the sloped bottom in such a way that there is less likelihood of permanent injuries). Plus, in vinyl, the part below the steel walls, which are only 4', have to slope in from the sides in order to maintain the integrity of the structure. I'm not 100% sure, but I will bet that to get a "safe" 10' deep end, you will need to have a 22' x 42' pool or larger. Gunite would allow you to go straight down on the sides, so you could probably do something like a 20x42.

We have a 20x40 vinyl with an 8 1/2' deep end and diving board. I can easily touch the slope on a dive, but the kids have to try pretty hard. We always remind everyone to do SHALLOW dives and encourage jumping more than diving.

[jbhogfan]

Good information everyone. Thanks again!