Latest innovation in pool vinyl designs: Colour-shifting pool liners

by arslan_ahmed | February 12, 2024 6:00 am

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By David Sones

Advancements in ink, printing, and vinyl manufacturing are fuelling innovation in pool liner designs. One Canadian manufacturer recently introduced a new ink for its vinyl pool liners, capable of “colour shifting.” This feature enables the vinyl pool liner to change colours based on light and angles in a pool. The colour-shifting inks have been incorporated into a new pool liner design that has entered the market and into several pools, including one kidney-shaped pool in Kitchener, Ont. The homeowners, who chose this vinyl pool liner design, are thrilled with their decision.

“The way this colour-shifting liner looks in the sun is quite impressive, the way it sparkles and flows, and shifts in the light,” says Henry Schnurbach, owner of Cover Tech Industries in Toronto, the company that fabricated the liner for this project.

Colour-shifting bliss

The new pool liner design incorporates a new ink which induces a colour-shifting effect visible at the upper portion of the pool liner, specifically at the border just beneath the deck.

“Unlike traditional borders that are very symmetrical square or tile-like borders, the border on this pool liner has a wave-like design that accentuates the shifting colours,” says Dan Vaduva, the client who selected this pattern for his pool renovation. “It’s like a wave of water and movement. It’s truly unique and every person that steps into our backyard immediately notices the pool interior. It’s very unexpected and a real conversation piece whenever we have guests in our backyard.”

“This liner is also a great pattern to help pool builders ‘stand out’ from their competitors—even if they don’t sell a large quantity of this pool liner pattern,” says Schnurbach. “Just being able to showcase something so different will help pool liner installers stand out from other pool builders and installers who don’t have a unique design in their offering.”

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The pattern, coupled with a colour-changing sparkle, drew the homeowner’s interest, along with that of various pool liner fabricators and installers this past season.

“As soon as I saw the design, I knew this liner pattern would work with the vision we had for our backyard renovation and was thrilled that my family agreed with me,” says Vaduva.

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Schnurbach says he finds it always takes new liner patterns a few seasons to take off in the market and it is rare for a new pattern to take off in the first season.

“Consumers need to see how the pattern looks in a pool; seeing it in a neighbour’s pool or a display pool used by a pool builder is what really propels a new pool liner design into the marketplace,” says Schnurbach.

The pattern’s shifting effect is particularly pronounced in sunlight or during dusk when the lighting conditions are changing. Observers can stand from any angle and witness the colour transformation occurring above the waterline, along the border.

Developing colour-changing designs

The origins of this vinyl liner manufacturer’s journey into creating vinyl inks with colour-shifting capabilities for pool liner designs was a concept that emerged after a trade show in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The collaborative efforts of the company’s R&D and design departments eventually led to the development of this proprietary ink that authentically achieves the ability to “colour shift,” resulting in a change from silver teal to magenta and violet-red-blue by altering the viewing angle of the pool.

“The pattern popularity varies by region—what is popular in Toronto is not the same as what is popular in Quebec or cottage country, and we also sell into the U.S. which is also different,” says Schnurbach.

“The colour-changing vinyl liner pattern is more impressive in a larger, freeform pool because there are more opportunities for the pattern to flow around the pool and capture the light and change colour,” he says. “I’ve also seen the liner in a smaller 12- x 24-ft [3.6- x 7.3-m] pool, and it looks colourful and modern, which is what many consumers want in a pool.”

The initial step in developing these colour-shifting inks was to secure a source and supplier for the ink’s creation, with more than a year and a half dedicated to testing and developing the ink to meet specific requirements. This prolonged development process has resulted in a robust ink that delivers higher performance levels within vinyl material used for pool liners.

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“This liner has the colour-changing effect built into the design,” says Schnurbach. “It’s not an overpowering design, but rather a unique-eye-catching pattern that attracts attention.”

The design philosophy goes beyond esthetics, emphasizing the balance between function (usability) and form. The challenges and rewards of this design process reflect the constant evolution of technology in inks, printing, and vinyl manufacturing, elevating pool liner designs to new levels. As the industry gears up for the coming season, there will be more choices in patterns, colours, and textures to meet the growing demand for pool and outdoor living esthetics.

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The resulting pool liner design, characterized as a high-definition electric (HDE) pattern, features intertwined waves of colour transitioning from blue to teal to magenta, accompanied by hints of gold and silver that reflect in the water. Depending on the angle and lighting conditions, it enhances the reflection of water and sunlight, creating a gradual effect along the pool. All the time, effort, research, product development, and testing culminated into the creation of this vinyl liner, which now serves as the centrepiece of this Ontario backyard oasis.

Renovation centrepiece

As part of a comprehensive backyard pool renovation, the installation of this new pool liner played a pivotal role. Vaduva, the homeowner, explained that upon purchasing the house, the existing vinyl liner in the pool featured a traditional design with a square-tile border and a basic blue and grey colour scheme. The kidney-shaped pool, measuring 8.5 x 4.5 m (27.8 x 14.8 ft),
had an aging liner with a few patches.

When Vaduva noticed an unusually low water level, further inspection revealed a leak, necessitating the breaking of the concrete deck for repair. Structural damage to the concrete around the pool, caused by inground plumbing pipe leaks, led to the decision to replace the concrete, create a slope for proper drainage away from the house, and replace all the plumbing and the pool liner due to leaks. This prompted a re-evaluation of the backyard.

“In thinking about doing a complete deck and backyard renovation, we decided to add lights to the deck and a light within the pool—something we didn’t previously have,” says Vaduva. “We wanted to entertain and use the backyard more in the evenings, so adding lighting in and around the pool was necessary.

“What was a wonderful bonus was how the addition of lighting not only enhanced the overall ambiance but also made the colour-changing vinyl liner sparkle.”

The vinyl used in this pool liner undergoes a colour transition from shimmering silver-teal to dramatic violet-blue across the curves and angles of the pool.

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“We have had so many pool parties for our daughter and her friends, and we are doing more entertaining because of our backyard renovation,” says Vaduva. “Having lighting around and in the pool allows us to remain poolside longer. We chose lighting that also changes colour from red to pink and purple, which accentuates and amplifies the colour-shifting of the pool liner, as the shifting pattern responds dynamically to light,” says Vaduva.

Differentiating designs

This innovative colour-shifting ink brings a distinctive element for differentiation among pool professionals in the market. The function of the pattern on the vinyl liner material in the water inherently shapes the design’s form. The resulting product development produces esthetically pleasing and functional pool liner designs, offering solutions that empower builders to distinguish themselves from competitors while meeting consumer demand. Consumers, builders, and landscapers are in search of designs that align with the latest coping and decking treatments, complement trending architectural colours, and highlight beauty both above and below the waterline.

Author

David Sones is the design manager for industrial markets, as well as the lead designer for North American and European industrial design development, at Canadian General Tower (CGT). Sones has more than 23 years of design experience and is proud to be a part of CGT, which has been in business for over 150 years. He can be reached at david.sones@cgtower.com.

Source URL: https://www.poolspamarketing.com/trade/features/latest-innovation-in-pool-vinyl-designs-colour-shifting-pool-liners/

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