Gunite -vs- Vinyl lined

[Simmons99]

I think this is a question of personal preference. I have been in concrete and vinyl pools. As far as I am concerned from a swimmers point of view they are both fine.

When I decided to build a pool - I decided on a concrete because the contractors in the area were more experienced with it - I have seen 25+ year old concrete pools that are structurally sound - and I had a friend that had a vinyl pool that said that replacing the liner was a real pain and she wished she had a concrete pool (I did remind her that a concrete pool has maintenance as well).

I have only ever seen one pool "pop" out of the ground. It was 10' deep pool in an area of Florida about 12' above sea level in a flood plain - the person drained the whole pool - there was a large rain storm and out it came! Why - because the water table was higher than the bottom of the pool. You can't drain a vinyl pool all the way or the liner will get all messed up - so I don't think those "issues" are really issues at all.

[MaryLee]

I LOVE the look of a gunite pool. However, the pool we put in is an 18 X40 vinyl. We chose that because I wanted a pool I could swim laps in and the pool is really just a "play" pool for my 2 young kids. We could have spent the same money and gone with a gunite, but we would have had to settle with a much smaller pool.

For now, vinyl is right for us. After the kids move out and we "downsize", I will put in the gunite pool of my dreams!!

[Pool_Mike]

I LOVE the look of a gunite pool. However, the pool we put in is an 18 X40 vinyl. We chose that because I wanted a pool I could swim laps in and the pool is really just a "play" pool for my 2 young kids. We could have spent the same money and gone with a gunite, but we would have had to settle with a much smaller pool.

For now, vinyl is right for us. After the kids move out and we "downsize", I will put in the gunite pool of my dreams!!

This is same reason for me. 2 kids 8 & 3. They said that they can put everything that the gunite offered me and be ruffly about 7K- 10K less then the pool quote I got.

I love to do gunite and did some reading on pool & Spa website and there was nothing negitve really about vinyl.

Since here in Austin, TX we do get heavy rains and flash floods... I am just wondering if the pool becomes over-flooded and the liner will not hold it. What is your take along that issue?

[y0manda]

I really didnt give it much though on considering which to get vinyl or gunite.
Gunite is definity the only way to go. I had special engineering plans for my pool because of a big slop in my backyard. The backend of my pool and 4' raised spa acted as a retaining wall. something you couldnt do with a plastic pool. Vinyl lined pools are cheap looking and don't give you that "swimming pool" feel.

[MaryLee]

Vinyl lined pools are cheap looking and don't give you that "swimming pool" feel.

That's a little harsh....

[Bleach=Chlorine?]

I even have a gunite pool and I agree that last comment was harsh!!! ;-)

[Bleach=Chlorine?]

Building a new pool today I would seriously consider vinyl. 30 years ago when a concrete pool was not highway robbery I think it would have been a no-brainer.

[MaryLee]

Since here in Austin, TX we do get heavy rains and flash floods... I am just wondering if the pool becomes over-flooded and the liner will not hold it. What is your take along that issue?

Well, here in NH, we've had some major flooding the last few weeks. My pool was filling up to the coping faster than I could drain it.......no problems whatsoever with the liner holding up.

There are overflow drains built-in that you can get. Looking back, I wish I had one put in....I can't tell you how many times I've had to drain my over-flowing pool the last few years ....it would have been well worth it.