Quote Originally Posted by Otto
I've been researching a new liner for a while now, and I'm used to seeing the designs where there is sort of a faux tile design around the waterline. The last place I went to, the guy seemed very knowledgeable but was trying to talk me out of those designs. He said that he thinks they are ugly and "fake looking", and said if my pool "settles a little" and the water line isn't exactly right, it will look horrible.

He also said with the last 300 liner replacements he did, only 1 person chose that type. I started to get the feeling he was just saying this, maybe because they are more difficult to install, seeing how they need to be level?

Are the faux tile designs really that uncommon, and are they "fake looking"? Is it really a problem if the water is 1 inch or so out of level?
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Otto, no they aren't 'fake' looking, they look just like a tile pattern printed on vynal. Are they trying to copy the look of a conrete pool, yes - but I doubt if they are trying to 'fool' anyone. The tile around a concrete pool serves at least 1 useful purpose, it's easier to clean. It also can add a 'splash' of color/ design to a white plastered pool. (I could go on about liner theory and how patterns on the floor may have originally been done to hide the occasional wrinkle - but it would be pure speculation)
The real reason this guy is trying to talk you into a 'no tile liner' is because it's HIS preference for pools. I doubt that there is much of a cost difference in tile vs no tile, the manufacturer has plenty of both.
As he is not the builder, I doubt that he is trying to hide a defect in construction that he caused, but I think he is trying to hide the fact that a pool may have been installed noticably out of level.
With a 'tile' line, you can easily see where a pool is out of level. However, if you have a good 'eye', you can use the coping to see the same thing - a 'tile line' just makes it more noticable for anyone to see that; the center line on the 'tile pattern' is at waterline, except for in the left deep end corner, where it is 1/2" underwater.
There is no difference in ease of nor difficulty in installing ! I've installed well over 1000 liners and the pattern has nothing to do with installing them (other than I'd rather put in a 'pretty' one.
I've babbled enough for one night- contact me, or post here- anything upon which you need clarification.
All the best! - Waste