Designers work hard to create patterns which have a classic appeal and will not look dated after two years. Therefore, the vibrancy and exact hues which made the initial design concept a hit with focus groups must be preserved and enhanced for final impact in the marketplace. This requirement for colour accuracy not only applies to the inks, but also to the base colour of the vinyl itself. Early base films were aqua or baby blue. Today, as printing technologies have advanced, the trend has moved toward a wider range of base film colours to make the pattern appear more vivid.
Fashion trends in upscale backyard furniture can be particularly influential when it comes to determining vinyl pool liner colours and patterning. Outdoor furniture has moved far beyond simple, plastic lawn chairs to luxurious furniture with softer edges and bigger cushions. Outdoor rugs, outdoor curtains, and even outdoor kitchens must all tie into a cohesive outdoor living space, and the designer realizes their patterns must add to the backyard fashion statement. The vinyl liner pattern choice is heavily influenced by the overall colour scheme of the home and the popularity of rock waterfalls and big benches for lounging; therefore, having a pattern which blends easily over benches and steps, while flowing from a waterfall into the pool, makes certain patterns very popular.
Textured treatments and European influences
The marketplace for pool liners is perpetually influenced by landscape architecture and outdoor living trends. As a result, pool builders and designers are always looking for something new to capture market share and differentiate themselves from others. One of the newer innovations which has really taken off is textured vinyl sheeting. This trend toward textured materials comes from a desire for a more realistic and natural-looking product.
The textured pool liners produced in Europe are 60 mil membranes, which are also gaining in popularity with builders in North America. These are called Aquasense liners, as their realistic feel appeals to the senses of swimmers. These textured products are the result of a five-year effort with the sales and development teams at the author’s company, to create new printing and lamination processes which produce highly realistic effects.
In Europe, pool liner designs more closely imitate the materials used by landscape architects. Consequently, these textures are a perfect imitation (both look and feel) of materials such as slate, granite, and marble. These products allow the pools to blend into the historic settings of the homes, which in many cases are located in high-end, luxury settings. In fact, these textured polyvinyl chloride (PVC) membrane products meet Class C anti-slip properties, making them ideal for commercial applications such as hotels, athletic clubs, and homeowners associations (HOAs).
As a result, the author’s company has introduced new marble and slate prints. This past year, they introduced a popular embossed green slate liner called Fiji. The green slate colour has a distinct look and is inspired by pools which might be seen in a Bali resort. The end result is a very tropical, deep turquoise-looking water colour being chosen for both residential and hotel pools.
