Major Pool Renovation Stairs

[OldPoolNewOwner]

Need some advice. Doing a major IG pool renovation and currently have steel stairs with liner covering. Looking at replacing with fiberglass stairs and looking for opinions on which is beter. Steel Stairs with liner covering or fiberglass ? Any pro's and cons would also be helpful.

[waste]

OPNO, welcome to the forum!!

There are some differences between the 2 kinds of stairs, but they are minor if the person installing them doesn't do it properly!

Linered stairs tend to have wrinkles, either because the liner wasn't made 'just right' or because the stairs themselves weren't assembled to the 'specs'. If you have a return in the stairs, it's just one more place to leak. However, as it's what you already have, the replacement should be a little easier than retro-ing in the fiberglass steps.

The fiberglass steps have their own set of problems. If not fully and properly supported they sag and may potentially crack. The faceplates, where the liner ends and the steps begin, can be a constant leak source (again, the competence of the installer is key). A lot of installers, that I've seen, have trouble keeping the bead for the liner straight around the stairs, it's really not that hard but somehow escapes them . you may need to purchase some small 'filler panels" - like 2 - 4" to mate up to the pool walls.

This is a quick take on them but it all comes back to the competence of whoever will be doing the job! Either type will meet the need for entering the pool - find a contractor whom you can trust to do the job correctly and let him do whichever he's most comfortable with!

If you have any more questions or concerns with this, I'm here almost every day. Again, welcome to the forum and i wish you well with the stair replacement

[OldPoolNewOwner]

Thanks so much. I think I have found a quality installer and he is recomending to keep the steel stair. Your advice was exactly what my gut was telling me.

Do like OPNO but Chris is also fine.

Just some additional info:
The pool is 1970's IG lazy L 40X25.
Already replaced the filter so here is the rest of the job:
removal of all the old cracked concrete.
Three new skimmers
Three new returns
all new pipe
New electric panel and new lights
New liner w/foam backing
New cataliever Coping and decking
New saftey mesh cover
new diving board

[waste]

Chris, I'm very comfortable with 'waste', but Ted also works I'm glad to have been able to 'support' your gut feeling, I do this stuff for a living and wanted to share from my experience.

Your plan sounds like a lot of work, but I'll bet it's worth it when completed!!

I congratulate you on your undertaking, and having the forethought to ask here about the project!!

I wish you well, not only with the renovation, but also over the winter -- any chance of some before and after pics?

Take care, Chris -- Hope to 'bump into you' again -- Ted (A/K/A waste)