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Pros and Cons of Freeform Vinyl Liner Pools

Landscape photo of a curved freeform pool, featuring a stamped concrete border and a larger concrete patio. The pool features a metal handrail on the far-left of the image, a pool slide near the middle and a rock formation next to the slide and the right side edge of the image. Beyond the pool in the background is a black fence enclosing the yard in. Beyond the fence is grass, shrubbery, and trees running across the entire image.

For some pool owners, owning a pool is all about enjoyment. Makes sense, right? For some, it’s about accentuating their backyard. Having your very own backyard oasis is the dream for many. One of the best options to make that happen is freeform vinyl liner pools.

Freeform vinyl liner pools have been around for decades, and for good reason. These pools truly can transform a fine backyard into a haven for family fun and social gatherings. No pool is perfect, however.

An inground pool is a fairly large investment. Any investment in a luxury product, such as an inground pool, requires you to know the pros and cons of the product. The last thing you want is to invest in something that won’t fulfill your needs.

Royal Pools G2 Landscaping has built and maintained dozens of vinyl liner pools in our 26 years of business. Many of them are freeform pools. In addition to building pools, we love educating clients on the different pool types, the pros and cons, processes, and more.

Pros:

Customization

One reason for vinyl liner pools’ staying power is the fact that you can customize them to be almost anything you want. Want a Darth Vader-shaped pool? Maybe move away from the dark side and get a Mickey Mouse-shaped pool? Vinyl liner pools got you covered. You just need to find a reputable swimming pool contractor that can make your dream a reality.

Furthermore, there are hundreds of liner patterns available on the market. Do you prefer a dark blue wavy pattern? Perhaps a white and silver crystal-like look? You’ll be overwhelmed by the options.

As far as freeform vinyl liner pools go, you can go as large, small, and/or curvy as you’d like. The nice thing about vinyl liner pools is that they can accomodate just about any backyard.

Lower Upfront Cost

If you’re in the market for the most cost-friendly inground pool option, then vinyl liner pools are the move for you. They are easily the cheapest option upfront, typically falling somewhere between $60,000 – $100,000, whereas concrete pools fall between $80,000 – $200,000+, and fiberglass pools usually run somewhere between $75,000 – $130,000.

Now, these are just ranges and may vary depending on your location, your chosen builder, additional features, and the size of your pool.

Fiberglass Vs. Concrete Vs. Vinyl Liner: Which Pool Should You Get?

Aesthetic Versatility

Variety of vinyl liner patterns draped next to one another.

Freeform vinyl liner pools are incredibly versatile. There are many unique, curvy shapes to pick from. Additionally, it is recommended that you replace your vinyl liner every 7-10 years due to deterioration and general wear and tear. This means that every 7-10 years, you can completely change the look of your pool with a brand-new liner pattern.

If you don’t like the liner pattern you choose, you can replace it prematurely, just know this will add to the lifetime ownership cost.

Smooth Non-Porous Surface

For many pool owners, the most important factor when choosing a pool type is comfort. If you’ve ever swum in a vinyl liner pool, you know just how smooth the liner surface is.

Vinyl liners have a smooth, non-porous surface that is both algae-resistant and comfortable to walk on.

Cons:

Limited Liner Lifespan

Now let’s move on to the cons. The biggest downside of vinyl liner pools is that vinyl liners themselves are not made to last. As previously stated, you need to replace your vinyl liner every 7-10 years.

Here in Northwest Indiana and South Chicagoland, vinyl liner replacements typically run between $5,000 – $8,000, adding significantly to the lifetime cost of the pool.

You may save money upfront with liner pools, but you will have to spend more on them in the future.

Maintenance

While they do not require the most maintenance of the three inground pool types (that title still belongs to concrete pools), vinyl liner pools still require weekly maintenance, including:

  • Brushing the walls and floor (this is vital; pay extra close attention to the seams)
  • Removing debris
  • Vacuuming the floor
  • Ensure equipment is running properly
  • Backwash sand or D.E. filters if pressure is high or after vacuuming
  • Test and balance the water chemistry

If you neglect your vinyl liner pool’s water chemistry, your liner may end up wrinkling or fading over time. It is incredibly important to keep your water balanced, regardless of the pool you have.

Pro-tip – Balanced pool chemistry looks like:

  • Chlorine/Bromine: 1 – 3 PPM
  • pH: 7.2 – 7.8 (7.2 – 7.4 in fiberglass pools)
  • Alkalinity: 80 – 120 PPM
  • Calcium Hardness: 175 – 350 PPM (under 120 PPM in fiberglass pools)
  • Cyanuric Acid: 0 – 50 PPM

Unbalanced pool water can destroy your liner and shorten its lifespan. Keep your pool balanced, or the savings you made by getting a vinyl liner pool over the alternatives will be for nothing.

Durability (Tears, Punctures, Etc.)

In addition to lasting 7-10 years, vinyl liners are susceptible to tears and punctures, which can lead to water loss, premature replacement, and more.

Steel walls behind your liner supporting the pool shell are durable, but the liner itself is not, especially when compared to fiberglass and concrete pools.

Customization Costs

Brace yourself for this one, folks: customizing your vinyl liner pool will drive the cost up. If you’re reading this article, you’re thinking about a freeform pool, which is already customized.

The larger your vinyl liner pool, the more expensive it will be. Popular add-ons such as automatic pool covers, poolside shade structures, and slides all add to the project’s cost.

Loss of Swim Space

This may not be a con for everyone, but one thing you sacrifice with a freeform pool is swim space. You still have ample swim space, of course, but freeform pools do not provide the same amount of swim space as a rectangular pool does.

However, if you choose to go real big with your freeform vinyl liner pool, you can make up for the lost space.

Conclusion

There you have it, folks. Freeform liner pools… not too shabby, right? Investing in a pool is a financial investment, sure, but it’s also an investment in your future happiness. Choosing the right pool for you and your swimming needs makes all the difference in the world.

Now that you know the pros and cons of freeform vinyl liner pools, do they sound like the right pool for you? For more information about vinyl liner pools and freeform pool options, check out the articles below.

Thanks for reading. Have a great day!

Vinyl Liner Inground Pool Maintenance: How To Master Your Pool

5 Unique Inground Vinyl Liner Pool Patterns

Vinyl Liner Inground Pools: Pros and Cons

Written by Logan Edgemon