What is the difference between a Gunite Pool and and Pool with a Liner?
Well, gunite is a fancy concrete. Liners are generally plastic (vinyl). That's the short answer, but there's a lot of differences between the pool types.
Gunite and Liner Pool Shapes
Gunite is completely customization. Pools with rounded edges and non-standard shapes (kidney shaped pools) are often gunite. As such, they can add a bit more aesthetics than typical liner pools. Most liner pools are built in the shape of the liners, so most are rectangles, or more standard shapes. They don't have to be, but they often are.
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Gunite pools are often curved. |
Gunite and Liner Pool Construction
Gunite Pools are made with concrete, and the fancier ones are tiled over that. Some have tile patterns on the bottom, some on the lip of the pool, and some all over. Liner pools are built with sidewall sections, and the bottoms are often just sand, and the liner goes right over it. The water pressure keeps the shape of the pool.
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A pool liner being installed. Note the sidewalls and the sand bottom (courtesy torresworks.com). |
Gunite and Liner Pool Wear and Tear
Since Gunite Pools are solid rock, they can last a long time with minimal repair and maintenance. If you do need a repair, it's often expensive however. Liner pool need new liners - which aren't cheap - every 10 years or so, and of course you can rip a liner. It's not easy, but it is possible.
Gunite and Liner Pool Installation Cost
Gunite pools tend to me far more expensive to install than liner pools. There are a lot of variables, including size, shape and the location you want to put the pool, so I won't put costs here, but liner pools in general are less nice, but more accessible price wise. Which pool is right for you depends on what look and feel you are going for, and how long you might be in your current home.
Don’t Go Just Yet! More Information for you…
- There are big differences between gunite pools and liner pools. Here’s a quick summary.
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About Matt Heisler
Matt Heisler is a real-estate professional and owner of this website. He has been selling homes in MA for buyers and sellers for over 20 years. He is an expert in foreclosure purchases, short-sale purchases, short-sale sales, buy and hold investing, fix and flip investing, and of course traditional residential home sales. He is happy to take questions as they pertain to real estate on Title V, Radon, Termites, Sump Pumps, Roofs, Foundations, Wells, Septic Systems, Cash-Flow, Staging, and a host of other housing issues. As a Vanderbilt University alumnus, he is proud to serve his local community.
*All information is posted in good faith and is assumed to be reliable, but may rely on third party information sources.
