What’s the Difference Between an Overlap & Beaded Liner?

Many pool owners don’t know much about what makes an overlap pool liner different from a beaded liner. This makes it hard for them to make an informed decision between the two when it’s time to buy a new liner for their pool. We’re here to take the guesswork out of that process. Keep reading to learn more about what distinguishes overlap liners from beaded liners and why you might choose one over the other.

Overlap Pool Liners

Overlap pool liners are named for the way they hang over the edge of your pool. These liners don’t fit into any kind of track on your pool walls. Instead, they’re attached using pieces of plastic known as coping strips. These strips grip the liner and hold it in place against the pool wall, similarly to how a paperclip holds pieces of paper together. After applying them, you can cut off any excess vinyl and place your pool ledge over the folded part to cover it up.

Overlap pool liners are the cheapest and most common pool liner option. They don’t require any special infrastructure to use and can be installed by anyone, but it’s hard to get them to lie evenly across your pool’s inner surfaces. You also have to take your pool ledge off every time you want to replace or adjust it, adding extra hassle to an already tricky task.

Beaded Pool Liners

Beaded pool liners add an extra component into the mix: the bead receiver. Bead receivers are special tracks that sit along the edge of your pool walls. Beaded liners can then be snapped into the receiver to instantly achieve an impressive uniform look.

Beaded liners can’t be installed without this track, so you’ll need to add one to your pool to use them. They also cost more than overlap liners. In exchange, they’re easier to install and can be installed or removed without removing your pool ledge first. If you want to install your liner yourself, it may be worth it to invest in a beaded liner to make the process easier.

So Which Is Better?

Both overlap and beaded pool liners have their advantages and disadvantages. Overlap liners are better for pool owners on a budget, while beaded pool liners offer easier installation and repair and often look better too. Think about which of these things are most important to you and choose the type of liner that meets your needs.

You can find both of these types of liners online at Our Pool Store. Check out our stock and see which of our liners is most appealing to you. When you’ve decided, use our easy checkout portal to place your order and we’ll ship it out to you in no time.