A new liner is the biggest change you can make to how your above ground pool looks, and you’ll live with the pattern for 8 to 15 years. Before you fall for a photo, it helps to know how a pattern looks once it’s under four feet of water, what each style shows and hides, and which patterns actually fit your pool.

Step 1
Start with what fits your pool

Your pool narrows the choices before style does:

• Attachment type. Overlap, beaded, J-Hook or Uni-Bead. Some patterns only come in one style. See 6 Pool Liner Attachments for Above Ground Pools.
• Wall height. Most of our patterns come in 52″ and 54″ walls. For 48″ walls, our choices are the overlap patterns: Maui, Solid Blue Wall / Maui Floor and Solid Blue.
• Shape and size. Measure carefully with our liner measurement worksheet, or we’ll measure at your free site visit.
• Thickness. Standard 20 mil or heavy-duty 25 mil. Thicker vinyl stands up better to pets, toys and sharp debris. See The Ultimate Guide to Above Ground Pool Liners.

Step 2
How patterns look under water

Water changes everything. A liner always looks darker and bluer once the pool is full, and the deeper the water, the more it shifts. The border at the waterline stays closest to the photo, while the floor pattern softens and blends with depth.

So when you look at a sample or a photo of a dry liner, picture it a shade or two darker and bluer. Photos of finished pools, filled with water, are the best guide.

Step 3
Light vs. dark

Want warmer water? A darker liner helps a little, but a solar cover helps much more. See How to Keep an Above Ground Pool Warm Without a Heater.

Step 4
Busy vs. solid

• Patterned floors hide more. Small debris, minor stains and slight wrinkles blend into a busy pattern.
• Solid colors show everything, but they give the cleanest, most classic look, and the water reads as pure blue.
• A border sets the style. Tile and stone borders make an above ground pool look more like an in-ground one, especially with a deck.

Step 5
Our liner patterns

These are the patterns we install, all in round and oval sizes:

See photos of every pattern, and zoom in, on our Pool Liners page.

Step 6
Tips before you choose

• Match your yard. Stone and slate patterns suit natural landscaping and wood decks. Bright blues and tropical borders suit a classic backyard look.
• Think about your trees. Lots of leaves and pollen? A mid-tone pattern hides both better than very light or very dark.
• Plan for the long run. You’ll see this liner for years, so a pattern you like now usually beats a trend.
• See it in daylight. Look at photos of finished, filled pools, and ask us which of our installs used the pattern you like.
• Book early for the best choice and a spring install. See Why Winter Is the Best Time to Book a Liner Replacement.