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Expert Advice for Choosing a Liner Pattern

Expert-Advice3

After around 20 years in the liner industry (but who’s counting),  I’ve helped many homeowners with choosing their liner pattern. Installing a new pool or updating your existing pool is one of the most exciting times for any family. However, choosing the perfect pattern can be a difficult decision. The pattern you choose can change the whole complexion of the backyard. This article is designed to give you a few tips and some advice based on what I’ve learned. 

Tile Floor LinerTo begin with, it is important to choose a floor pattern that you truly love. The floor pattern is what you’re going to see the most. The tile border around the top is not as important because it’s usually only noticeable when you are next to the pool. So, it’s mostly important for coordinating your pool with your deck. Tara also offers you the option of removing the tile if you want or even replacing the tile on the pattern with another from our collection. So, focus your decision more on the bottom portion of your pattern choice and less on the border.

The next big aspect of your decision is the color. The color sets the tone for the backyard. It can be safe and conservative or unique and spectacular. I’m going to go into depth on this characteristic because it is so important for your long-term satisfaction. 

Ocean Wave vinyl pool liner patternThe safest and most popular color for liners is blue. A deep blue water color is what people associate most with swimming pools. It is a attractive and durable. The patterns that fall into this deep blue category are Port Royal, Georgetown, NavarreOcean Wave, Malibu and Hampton. The blue base film that the pattern is printed on ages well. It doesn’t show the wear and tear that are inevitable over time. These patterns hide imperfections and dirt too. They may be conservative but they are like a pair of blue jeans that you can wear every day. They always looks good. If your are having trouble deciding on a pattern, our opinion is that you should choose one of these. You are almost certain to be satisfied. If there is a concern people sometimes have with dark color liners, it’s that they can’t see the bottom. If that’s something you worry about, fear not, we have many more colors to choose from. 

Cheyenne swimming pool liner patternLight blue patterns are also very popular. They a great alternative if you want something cool and refreshing rather than striking intensity of the deep blue patterns.Our patterns that fall into this bright and glistening category are Beale Street, Cambria, Cheyenne, Emerald Bay, Fort Walton Beach, LotusShell Island and St. John's Bay and Paintrock also fall into this category, even though they are printed on a gray vinyl. The water color is still light blue. There is a lot of variety in the patterns in this category because the floor is much more visible. Whether you prefer the look of aggregate, pebble, mosaic tile or granite finishes, there are plenty of options for you to choose. These patterns also hold up well over time. The light colors on light base film means they don’t have heavy ink coverage, which means less fading. Perhaps you’d like your pool to really stand out, well that’s our next category.

St Johns Bay in-ground swimming pool pattern

St. John’s Bay and Emerald Bay, usually classified as light blue patterns, are such unique designs they are quickly attracting attention. Both of these patterns are designed without a border. Liners without tile borders are becoming increasingly popular. These two patterns were designed with that in mind. Any of the patterns in our collection can be ordered without a tile border, though.  

 

 

Cascade Creek LinerAlthough our last category of patterns have a tan base, they don’t make a brown pool. The reflection of the sky in the water makes these patterns look teal or aqua blue. The deeper the water is in the pool the more the sky is reflected which makes the water more blue. The two patterns Cascade Creek and Shoal Creek create a pool that looks like the Caribbean rather than a creek. We get more complements about these patterns than any others. If you have a stone deck around your pool, these two patterns are a perfect match. 

 

Hopefully, now you’ve narrowed down your selection to a color category, so your choices within that spectrum are more manageable. You can compare your choice of deck material or finish to the swatches in our sample pack or brochure to find a tile pattern that matches. Then your left with the one that suits you best.

The pattern style and color are the most obvious considerations when you begin your search for a new liner. But, there are other aspects that are equally important. The lifespan and durability of the liner are important and should factor into your decision. That’s why Tara only offers patterns that are produced here in America. You don’t have to worry about the quality of the vinyl because the American virgin vinyl that we use is made from only the finest raw ingredients. Patterns manufactured overseas use filler ingredients that can lead to premature wrinkling, fading and weathering. We stand behind our patterns with the strongest warranty in the industry. You can pick any pattern you like and know that it will give you the maximum performance. If you want to find out more about maximizing the lifespan of your liner check out our care and maintenance tips.

One last choice our customers struggle with is the thickness of the liner. This isn’t a problem with Tara pool liners, though. We have been fabricating liners for over 37 years and we have found that the perfect thickness for a pool liner is 20 mil. It is the best thickness for fit, flexibility and strength. The only time a thicker liner may be necessary is if the floor of the pool is very rough. We recommend that you choose a pattern you love and know that, regardless of thickness, it will last you 7 - 10 years. It’s better to choose a pattern that will reward you each time you look at it rather than a pattern you don’t care for, that was offered in a thicker vinyl. 

If your still having trouble deciding I think this quote from an old liner installer may help. He said, “by the time a homeowner replaces their liner they are so tired of the old one, any pattern looks great”. I believe in the truth of that statement. I hope this article has helped make your choice a little easier. 

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