Installing a Liner in a plaster pool will mean -somehow- installing a liner track. The only way that comes to mind at the moment, is to remove the deck, install the track, then install a new deck. This would be quite expensive.
Unless you are doing a total renovation of the deck, I really dont see much of a cost savings in installing a viny liner instead of re-plastering.
I suppose its possible that there is another way to install a track in a plaster pool. People can be quite ingenous. If there is another way, I would like to know what it is.
You will also probably have to get a new light niche for sure. Somehow also, it will have to be figured out how to seal off the skimmer. Might have to even replace it.
I wish I had seen that episode of Mike Holmes. He always 'makes it right!'. LOL.
Also, I suppose your pool has steps, maybe a bench in the pool too? The cost of a vinyl liner increases quite considerably when you start adding steps, and benches to the mix. Between installing a track (close to 1000$ just for materials) and even if there's another way than replacing a deck to install it..... + the cost of a truly customized liner, 4000$ and up, plus the installation of it, I can easily see this approaching the cost of new new plaster job.
And with a vinyl liner, there is always the risk of puncturing it, or a seam seperating at some point.
I dont work in the pool biz, so my thoughts may be way off base. Certainly if you are interested, you should investigate it with a reputable Pool Company.
Well, I need to replaster in the next year or so, and that liner is looking awfully attractive. My current plaster is largely intact --- a few voids have developed --- but I am looking at $8K -$10K to replaster. I certainly like the LOOK of a plaster pool and ours is now about 10 years old --- we've had a good run on this plaster, primarily because I really keep after the chemistry and use the methods described here. BUT, when I think of that once or twice a day brush down on new plaster, chasing the chemistry until the plaster matures, and the cost, that liner method begins to look interesting enough to investigate.