What is wall foam? Do I need it for my pool?
Wall foam is a sort of foam insulation or liner for the interior wall of your above ground pool. The closed-cell padded foam material comes in rolls and is usually about 1/8” thick. Its main benefit is that it adds an extra layer of protection between the pool liner and the metal components of the pool. It can protect against punctures from the wall bolts and other sharp edges of the pool components.
Some pool owners like that wall foam can add some interior softness to a pool once it has been installed. This softness is not dramatically noticeable, but it does help provide cushioning to the liner from the inside. For example, if a sharp toenail were pushed against the wall, the wall foam would absorb any force and it would be less likely to cut the vinyl pool liner.
There are some other great benefits to using wall foam for your above ground pool. Pool wall foam is affordable and comes in standard size rolls where often only 1-2 are needed for one pool. Better yet, wall foam typically lasts the life of a pool, so it is not a regular upkeep cost or something needing to be regularly replaced. Wall foam also offers great insulation for pools with heaters if that is a feature you are considering for your personal setup.
Wall foam is also easy to install. It is usually a two-man job where one sprays adhesive glue on the wall and then lays the wall foam onto the adhesive. One follows the straight line of the pool wall which assists in installing the wall foam evenly and keeps the spacing consistent. Any excess foam can just be cut off and discarded, and after it has fully adhered the pool liner can be installed.
Adding wall foam is relatively easy and inexpensive and will provide you with peace of mind your new above ground pool liner will be best protected and last for years to come.