WALL SYSTEMS
The pool wall combined with a liner is half retaining wall keeping the dirt out of the excavated area and half waterproof barrier keeping the pool water in.
Wall systems are constructed from steel, plastic or a composite material. We do not recommend plastic (polymer) walls in our market area.
Multiple factors determine which wall system is used with the vast majority in our market being steel.
TYPES OF WALL SYSTEMS
STEEL
Steel walls are the "go to" choice in our market. Strong and durable, steel retains the strength and flexibility required for the freeze/thaw cycle we experience.
Over 90% of all pools installed in our area are steel wall, vinyl liner pools. The other 10% is made up of all the other plastic, fiberglass and concrete types.
COMPOSITE
Composite materials are beginning to slowly replace most other types of construction materials in many different projects. Sea walls, bridges and other environments that require a strong yet corrosion proof product are moving away from metals and wood. It is highly likely that in the next 20 years, steel structures may be a thing of the past.
PLASTIC (POLYMER)
Plastic walls were the original non-corrosive choice for those living in extremely corrosive environments (around salt water).
Some dealers push the plastic material in other markets "because steel rusts". If 90% of the dealers in your market are doing one thing, one way to separate yourself is to be in the other 10%.
While that might make perfect business sense, plastic walls do not tolerate the freeze/thaw cycle as well as other materials. It is also virtually impossible to "rehab" a pool later when the concrete needs to be replaced (from the same freeze thaw cycle). If you try and bust up the concrete around the plastic, you are going to break the plastic as well.
