We are setting up an above ground pool. It is 27 ft diameter. Which is best for the base, sand or vermiculite? How do they compare in cost? Ease of use, etc?
Sand or vermiculite as a base for an above ground pool?
- Thread starter dgneu
- Start date
Our pool store sold us pure vermiculite telling us it was pool crete (vermiculite/cement premix). We put down 4x8 sheets of 1.5" styrofoam where rectangles would fit, and put vermiculite in the curved voids (not realizing what we had yet)- mistake!! After filling, the vermiculite compressed just enough so our vacuum hangs up on the styrofoam-vermiculite joints. We are living with it for now. Wish we'd have cut styrofoam to fit the curves, and used premade foam cove all around.
I thought native soil was what you installed the outer frame onto with a true metal sided above ground pool, the center of the pool is then filled with X tons of sand spread out and forms a cove around the base for the floor of the pool. There are lots of great videos on Youtube about the install of a metal sided above ground pool.
I just did ours. It was set up on hard native ground. Then we put down 3/4" extruded 4x8 sheets of foam, then the foam cove. It is so smooth. Reminds me of a vinyl lined in ground.
Speaking from experience, a good excavator is worth their fees. That rent a laser level from HD or Lowes with a transit stick, place your pavers under the uprights and check the level as you go adjusting it. But again like I say, do a search on YouTube or go to a reputable above ground pool store online and watch their installation videos over and over, you will see how the pros do it.
You can use sand for the bottom, or like Jamison said you can use foam for the bottom, and you can buy the foam cove for the inside where the liner butts up "this is a critical part of the structure of the pool" just like it being level. Or you will have issues.
P.S. It's hard work but well worth it, just dont get in a hurry and take shorcuts, you could damage the pool or injure yourself.
You can use sand for the bottom, or like Jamison said you can use foam for the bottom, and you can buy the foam cove for the inside where the liner butts up "this is a critical part of the structure of the pool" just like it being level. Or you will have issues.
P.S. It's hard work but well worth it, just dont get in a hurry and take shorcuts, you could damage the pool or injure yourself.
