In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some of the basics on which pool materials tend to do best in the cold weather. There are several high-quality pool materials out there today, each with different specific qualities – which is the best choice if winter use and maintenance are top priorities for you?
At Packman’s Pools, we’re happy to offer a wide range of custom swimming pool material options, from fiberglass swimming pool construction to several other choices. Why should you be thinking a bit differently about pool care during the winter period of the year, and which material is best for those considering this and other pool care areas in their selection? Here are some basic areas to go over.
Vinyl Material
Another material often used for pools is vinyl, which is incredibly versatile – it’s used in some format across numerous industries and specific applications. One of these is for swimming pool liners and materials.
Vinyl pools are some of the most budget-friendly out there, and they’re common in areas that have cold winters. Their structure is held using poured concrete, similar to a fiberglass pool we went over in part one, but the walls are made of polymer and won’t crack in cold weather.
On the flip side, vinyl liner surfaces may have some issues during winter if they aren’t protected properly. This liner material is a bit fragile, and may crack during extremely cold temperatures. It may also form tears that lead to leaks later on. If you’re able to limit extreme temperatures in this area, however, vinyl does very well during the winter.
Making Your Choice
As we noted in part one, fiberglass materials tend to be the best overall for cold weather, especially in places like Utah where sub-freezing temperatures are common. The materials are flexible and strong, both for the surface and structure of the pool, and will withstand temperatures on both sides of the spectrum. While vinyl pool structures also have similar benefits, their liners are a bit problematic and make fiberglass the prudent choice if winter care is a top priority.
Filing or Empty?
One additional question we’re often asked by clients and wanted to mention here: Should you drain the pool for winter or leave it filled? Logic might indicate the former, but we actually recommend leaving water in as long as it’s protected – pools that are empty may float out of the ground, and the results of this are much more severe than any minor risks of a freeze-thaw cycle from leaving the water in. On top of this, brittle pool liners are at even greater risk if you leave the pool empty, and they will almost certainly crack.
For more on choosing the ideal pool material for winter care and upkeep, or to learn about any of our swimming pool design or construction services, speak to the staff at Packman’s Pools today.