Membrane-lined pools: The increasing popularity of weld-in-place membranes

by brittney_cutler_2 | December 15, 2021 11:57 am

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By Matthew Sands

With a surge in residential demand, professionals are looking for solutions to allow them to build and renovate the most pools possible, while still being able to control their construction schedule. Rather than dealing with long lead times for pool kits, fibreglass pools, or custom-made pool liners, membrane materials are readily available for these installations. Weld-in-place membranes are rapidly being added to pool builder offerings, as they provide an attractive solution for renovations and new construction.

New colours and textures

Weld-in-place membranes have been on the market for many years and used primarily in the commercial industry throughout Canada and the U.S. They provide an excellent solution for pools with chronic issues such as peeling paint, fractured plaster, or leaks.

The colour choice used to be limited to plain colours and printed patterns, but some manufacturers have started to provide new 2 mm (80 mil) membrane material that is not just printed but textured as well. In fact, this new textured and printed membrane material imitates the look and feel of stone and marble.

“These new colours look phenomenal in the pools,” says Greg Solmundson, owner of Ark Custom Pool and Spa in Kelowna, B.C. “The texture and colours now available really lend themselves to residential pools, as they provide a modern, high-end look that complements today’s architectural designs.”

Solmundson says his business has had a record year and attributes much of this growth to the improved variety of weld-in-place membranes. The new options work so well in residential pool settings, as well as in hotels, private club pools, wellness centres, and health spas.

Another contributing factor to the increased popularity of the membranes is the versatility of their material. Phil Rintoul, owner of Rintoul’s Pools & Hot Tubs in Owen Sound, Ont., says they are uniquely able to provide a perfect fit for custom pools, even when installed on the most challenging shapes.

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“The weld-in-place membrane really lends itself to fitting custom pools or older pools with unusual shapes and designs. Weld-in-place liners offer a huge advantage to get an exact fit, and of course, being thicker mesh reinforced PVC (polyvinyl chloride), the longevity is the benefit certain customers really want to have in their pool, as they last a lot longer than traditional vinyl liner.”

Since customers are investing more in their backyards, they are interested in installing the best product out there, explains Rintoul. He thinks there is a real opportunity to sell to those customers who are willing to spend more on their pools.

“Consumers are really attracted to the new 2 mm textured membranes where you can feel the texture that feels like actual stone—it’s not slippery—and they are very attracted to the new earth tones. They feel and appreciate the aesthetics and the high quality of the membrane.”

Offering a membrane pool finish

Weld-in-place membranes provide a pool finish with unique benefits not provided by marbelite, stone-coloured quartz finishes, or thermoplastic coating.

“One of the main advantages of the membrane pool finish is it doesn’t crack regardless of freeze-thaw conditions or earthquakes,” says Rintoul.

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The membrane completely seals the structure of the pool and keeps it watertight. This makes it ideal for both renovating existing pools and building new pools.

“Once you have a crew of installers who know how to apply these membranes, you can fit them into your pool offering, whether you are using the membrane to finish off a new concrete wall or stainless-steel pool wall construction, or you are covering a cracked, peeling, or leaking gunite pool.”

Rintoul suggests weld-in-place membranes to clients looking for a higher-end project with unique features. He recently built a pool with a vanishing edge, full width steps, a full-length sitting bench, and some deep end stairs.

“We recommended the 2 mm membrane because we knew it would be particularly well-suited to sealing the reservoir of the vanishing edge to make it watertight and fit perfectly over all the special features in the pool,” he explains.

The client was also immediately attracted to the dark slate colour and texture.

“It really blended beautifully with the surrounding stone deck and coping she selected for the pool, and the project was a great success.”

A growing number of pool professionals consider weld-in-place membranes a lucrative addition to their business and are taking the time to train their staff on proper installation. Not only do they offer a unique and truly attractive finish, but they also have a set of skills to keep crews busy through the winter.

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Training and retaining crews

Since proper training is the first order of business, some membrane suppliers offer assisted installations to builders and installers.

“What we are seeing is pool pros don’t realize how easy it is to install this product, and there are very low barriers to entry, as you don’t need to invest large amounts of money for equipment and you don’t need to have the material in stock, as we simply order rolls of material for each job,” says Solmundson.

“There is a learning curve, obviously, like anything else. But compared to other types of equipment repairs, it is a much faster learning curve.”

Solmundson explains the main welding component is the easiest to learn, while the more intricate parts like stairs and corners are more complicated. As such, they are the focus during the assisted training.

Professional installers like Solmundson also train companies interested in learning these skills and are happy to travel to their location.

“I have installed and trained crews in Brazil, Turkey, China, and more, teaching the methods I originally learned in Germany,” he says.

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“Once your crews know how to install weld-in-place membranes, they will find they are always busy and always in demand.”

Offering weld-in-place membrane installation also separates trained professionals from other companies by having this added finishing skill.

As pool builders desperately look at how to retain their best workers through the winter, learning how to install membrane liners is the perfect way to keep them busy.

Solmundson’s crews spend all winter installing membranes on indoor pools.

“We try to save all of our indoor jobs for the winter, so we keep our crews busy year-round doing indoor installations at hotels, athletic clubs, and HOAs (homeowner associations),” he says.

“Weld-in-place membranes really smooth out the seasonality of pool building and renovation.”

Understanding PVC membrane installation

The installation process of a PVC membrane is straightforward. Before lining the pool with the PVC membrane, installers need to repair the surface of the pool first. Most pools require a day or less for preparation.

Once the pool surface is prepared, a felt lining is installed along the floor and walls. The lining is adhered and acts like a pad under a rug. It protects the surface before installing the reinforced PVC lining and later gives it a soft, slightly cushioned feel, making it a favourite among families.

The felt lining also makes the floor more comfortable to stand on, which is beneficial for older bathers using the pool for water conditioning, therapy, or aerobics.

After the felt lining is installed, 1.8-m (6-ft) wide strips of PVC membrane are rolled out and heat welded together on site to ensure a smooth fit. Steps, beach entries, safety ledges, and the like are also cut, fitted, and welded. Some membranes are available with slip-resistant, embossed surfaces, which are used on steps. Black material is also available to create racing lanes, transitions, and depth markers. Some PVC membrane materials are not only textured, but also printed to look like marble, stone, or sand.

“This has been extremely popular with hotels, country clubs, HOAs, and community pools because it’s not just plain white or blue, and the product is also slip-resistant, making it a terrific product for pool pros to offer and stand out from competitors because it’s different and gives pools a high-end finish,” explains Solmundson.

Pool professionals are embracing the weld-in-place membrane solution. The material is readily available, so it is much easier to schedule an installation, rather than waiting on traditional custom liners.

“The installation provides a lot of flexibility for design,” says Rintoul. “It works on any pool design, including beach entry, vanishing edge pools, tanning ledges, and large steps.”

Selling and installing PVC membranes

When it comes to selling and installing PVC membranes, some prefer outsourcing the installations, while others do the work in-house. Pool professionals will often subcontract the installation and take a referral fee. But, more importantly, the PVC membrane solves the chronic problems encountered by commercial clients who continue to receive service, water chemistry maintenance, and cleanings. Some professionals find subcontracting the work allows them to stay focused on their core business, while still being able to continue their relationship with their clients. Not to mention, it helps them sell pool renovations they might not have otherwise had the time or crews available to complete.

In addition to the structural solution provided by these membranes, the new natural stone colours and textures are making them easier to sell.

“Consumers are really drawn to the new colours and finishes that are now available,” says Rintoul. “When customers see the PVC membrane options now available—especially the new colours and textures—when the project is finished, some people think it’s a slate pool. These new colours and textures also really enhance and blend beautifully with today’s popular decking and coping treatments.”

The PVC membrane is a commercial rated product, so there is still a big demand for this solution in commercial pools.

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“Commercial pools are always looking for ways to fix leaking and deteriorated pools,” says Solmundson. “The weld-in-place membrane really lends itself to solving the problems caused by freeze-thaw conditions of outdoor aquatic facilities, like cracking in the structure, making the pool watertight.”

Other types of commercial aquatic facilities, plus indoor and elevated pools, are also interested in the new colours and textures, in addition to a long-term watertight solution.

“With these new stone and marble patterns, colours, and finishes, we are seeing more and more hotels, athletic facilities, and wellness spas who want a more attractive look that enhances the architectural design of the facility,” says Solmundson.

“The white marble product, for example, looks amazing for large commercial spas and soaking tubs used in wellness centres, health spas, athletic facilities, and hotels.”

Membranes on the rise

The awareness of PVC membranes is on the rise. As a result, pool professionals are finding it quite easy to suggest, sell, install, or outsource installations.

Many consumers and commercial aquatic facilities are doing research, learning about these membranes, and then approaching their trusted pool professional, architect, engineer, or designer.

Savvy pool professionals should take the time to learn how to install weld-in-place membranes and incorporate them into their offerings. Many companies who have added PVC membranes to their repertoire are not only able to provide year-round work for their crews and gain greater control of their construction schedules but are also reaping the profits and benefits associated with this product.

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Matthew Sands is a sales engineer with more than a decade of experience in the construction renovation sector of Renolit, having worked for one of the most well-known European flooring brands. Sands has overseen the renovation of several major projects including La Fenice Opera House in Venice, Italy, and the LAC Cultural Center in Switzerland. He can be reached via email at matthew.sands@renolit.com[8].

Source URL: https://www.poolspamarketing.com/trade/features/membrane-lined-pools-the-increasing-popularity-of-weld-in-place-membranes/

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