When it comes down to deciding what type of steps you want for you new vinyl liner in ground swimming pool there are several options available to choose from. Years ago there were really only a couple choices available. Basically either thermoplastic or fiberglass acrylic. Both of these types of steps are those that get bolted into the wall of the pool and the liner would have to be cut out in the area for the steps. These types of steps are still used today and are for the most part very reliable. I would say that out of these two types, the fiberglass steps are the better bet. They are more structurally sound and in some cases the thermoplastic steps have been known to warp or not hold their shape as well. This brings me to the main topic of this post.
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| Straight Tread Design |
The newer style of steps that is all the rage is liner over. This means that the liner is manufactured so that it perfectly fits the steps of the pool. There are two different ways that the steps themselves are manufactured. One way is that they are made completely out of the same material. This style is referred to as straight tread design. This means that the treads and risers are all the same material weather it is steel or composite.
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| Permanent Form Design |
The other way they are manufactured is by making the risers out of steel or composite material, and leaving the treads out to be filled in on the job site with stone and concrete. This is referred to as permanent form design. Either way you go the outcome will look very similar. The liner will be made so that it fits these steps perfectly. However there are some key differences in these two styles that should be noted. One difference is the cost. The permanent for design steps are a bit more pricy. This is due to the fact that the quality is substantially better, and in my opinion they tend to be a little bit easier to install. The straight tread design steps tend to be a bit tougher to install properly. The issue mainly comes down to backfilling. The straight tread design requires that they be backfilled with stone all the way up to the bottom of each tread. Sounds easy enough right? While it can certainly be done, it can be rather difficult to do and ensure that it is done adequately. If there is not enough backfill underneath each tread it can become a problem later on. An easy way to test that each tread has enough backfill underneath is to step on them. If there is not enough backfill then you will likely notice spots on the treads that sink under your foot. By sink I mean that you will feel that there is a void underneath them. If that void remains under the tread you will be able to feel it every time that you enter the pool. While this style of step is less expensive and might require a bit more elbow grease to install than the permanent form design it can still be a very good step for any pool.
On the other hand, the permanent form design step is in most cases a more structurally sound way to go. As I said before, the step risers of this design are made of either steel or composite material and have no treads on them at all. This allows the builder to fill the steps with stone leaving the last two or three inches open to be filled in with concrete. This creates a much more stable tread surface and you will feel absolutely no voids underneath them. Being that this type of step is more structurally sound than the straight tread design, it stands to reason that they will cost a bit more. Both of these designs are being used over and over by builders all over the country, and they both offer pool owners the beautiful look of having their liner over their steps. It really makes the steps and pool look more uniform. Rather than having a nice pattern throughout the pool and the step which would traditionally be white, blue, or grey.
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| Rod and Clip |
You may be wondering how the liner stays where it is supposed to be on the steps. There are two ways in which this is done. One is a design called Rod and Clip. This design requires that the liner be made a special way with sleeves where the treads meet the risers of the step. In addition to they require the use of plastic rods that get slid through the sleeves. After that a series of clips are used to hold the rods in place at the point in which the treads meet the risers. This is what holds the liner down.
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| Bead Track |
The other option, and in my opinion the better option is bead track. This system does away with the rods and clips and instead uses a specially designed track made to accept the bead of the liner. In addition to that the liner will again have to be specially made with beads in place of the pockets where the treads meet the risers. The bead track is attached to the risers of the step just behind the treads. The bead of the liner for the steps in inserted into the bead track. I like this system better mainly because it is less noticeable than the rod and clip. With the rod and clip design you will likely be able to see where the rods are behind the liner. With the bead track design there will be no areas in which you could see where the bead is simply because it will be tucked away behind the tread of the step.
I wanted my readers to know that there are other options available for choices in steps in addition to the thermoplastic and acrylic fiber glass step. Both the straight tread and permanent form designs are amazing designs and will give your pool a clean, uniform look. With this information you can hopefully now make an educated decision when it comes time to choose which type of step you want for your pool.
For more information on the latest and greatest pool products available, and general vinyl liner in ground pool information check out my other blog posts. For more information on Only Alpha Pool Products check out the website at www.onlyalpha.com
