Strong Pool Krete (Vermiculite) or Sand?

What to use, Vermiculite or Sand for the bottom of your vinyl liner pool?

Rule #1 :: If you are putting in an inground swimming pool, never use sand.  If you are talking to a builder who only uses sand, politely say thanks and escort him out of your house.  Using sand is easier, less expensive, less messy; but it is also just being lazy, suck in 1980, and not good for the end user.  Simply put, you are working with someone who isn’t concerned with making the best pool possible.

Strong Pool Krete is made up of Portland cement, vermiculite, and sand.  When all three are combined and troweled out, you get a strong smooth surface for your liner to lay on.  Pool Krete will setup and turn into a hard “cork board” for your liner.

When using sand under your vinyl liner is doesn’t hold its form as well as Vermiculite.  The sand takes years to get fully packed down and not move anymore.  HOWEVER, before it packs down you can feel waves and even make indentations with your heel in the sand.  I am sure that you have been swimming in a pool when you felt their was a gap under your feet.  That is from the substrate, sand, moving or creating divots.

Some people, not many anymore that I know of, that also use concrete under the liner.  While concrete is strong, it is very rough and grainy.  The concrete can never get as smooth as the vermiculite and in turn it will slowly rub the underside of the liner making it weak.
You may not feel it, but each time you take a step on the liner it will move a little.  If you don’t have a smooth surface it will rub the bottom of the liner raw.

Above ground swimming pools are generally less expensive and move for the budget minded consumer.  Adding sand to the bottom is usually preferred as it is less expensive.  Using Pool Krete instead of sand is going to cost about $1,000 – $1,500 instead of the $300 for the sand.

Using sand in an above ground pool is more acceptable as it is more budget minded.  Inground pools need to last for 50+ years and more times the vermiculite will only need minor patching each time you replace the liner . . . every 15 or so years.

Simply put, if you want a perfect bottom for years to come use Pool Krete on your pool bottom.  When it is done, and done correctly, you will see how perfect the liner will fit.
Penguin Pools is so dedicated to perfect pool bottoms, that we have a specially made mixer just for Strong Pool Krete.  Most people use a simply paddle mixer, but we want and need a perfect mix so we have mixer and pump only for the Pool Krete.

If you would like to purchase Strong Pool Krete and have it dropped shipped to your door, simply contact MyPoolBuild.com for your order.