How Above Ground Buttress-Free Oval Pools Are Designed for Strength and Durability
Above ground oval swimming pools offer spacious design, engineered strength, and long-term value. When installed to manufacturer guidelines, their integrated base, wall, liner, and support systems provide stability without end supports, delivering dependable performance and years of enjoyment for homeowners.
For more than 30 years, The Pool Factory has helped homeowners choose above ground and semi inground pools that meet industry standards for performance and safety. With over 100,000 verified customer reviews and a consistently high satisfaction rate, The Pool Factory focuses on offering high quality swimming pools and products from trusted manufacturers.
Why Oval Pools Only Need Support on the Straight Sides
Above ground oval pools are designed so all of the parts work together as one complete system. Each part has a specific job, from supporting the weight of the water to maintaining the pool’s shape, which is why the pool stays strong and stable with support needed only on the straight sides, not on the curved oval ends.
- The pool base supports the water weight
- The pool wall contains the water and maintains shape
- The vinyl liner creates a watertight seal and smooth interior
- The support system works together to distribute pressure evenly on the straight side of the oval swimming pools
The Pool Factory does not manufacture swimming pools. Instead, it partners with established pool manufacturers whose designs are independently engineered, tested, and approved. All pool models carried by The Pool Factory meet required industry and safety standards when installed according to the manufacturer’s written instructions.
How Oval Pool Ends Are Designed to Work
Oval pools are engineered to evenly distribute water pressure across the base and frame. The oval ends are an integral part of this design and do not need vertical load-bearing supports when installed according to manufacturer specifications. In fact, when installed properly, the oval ends alone are fully capable of handling the water pressure without additional support.
The pool manufacturers whose products are sold by The Pool Factory use independent engineering firms to certify that each pool model is structurally sound. This ensures that the oval ends do not need extra support and that the pool can safely hold the water load under normal use. Proper installation following the manufacturer’s guidelines guarantees that the pool structure, including the oval ends, performs exactly as designed.
Best Practices for a Smooth Installation
Successful installations typically include:
- Careful leveling and compaction of the base
- Building a consistent cove
- Confirming full liner support before filling
- Adding water gradually while checking liner placement
Following manufacturer instructions and taking time during these steps helps ensure the pool settles evenly and performs as intended.
Engineering, Testing, and Quality Control
The Pool Factory works with some of the largest and most respected pool manufacturers in North America. These manufacturers follow strict quality control procedures and rely on independent engineering reviews for all pool components and designs.
Each pool system offered by The Pool Factory has documented engineering approval and meets industry safety requirements when installed according to written guidelines.
Why Base Preparation and Cove Support Matter So Much
A properly prepared base is essential and critical to a successful pool installation. The pool floor must be level, compacted, and built with the correct amount of sand so the liner is fully supported.
The cove, where the pool floor meets the wall, plays an important role in overall stability. A consistent and well supported cove allows the liner to settle naturally and helps protect the pool structure.
Many homeowners and installers choose Foam Pool Cove because it creates a uniform, pre-formed slope without the hassle of shaping sand by hand. Made from dense, chemically neutral foam, it features an adhesive backing that sticks directly to the inside base of the pool wall. Foam Pool Cove won’t shift or collapse over time and helps extend liner life by preventing stretching and premature wear.
For more helpful tips and guidance on preparing your pool base and getting the most out of your liner, check out our supplemental article on How to Install a Base for your Above Ground Pool Liner. It’s a great resource to better understand why a solid base and proper cove support are so important for a long-lasting pool.
Oval Pool Liners: Common Misunderstandings Clarified
Vinyl liners for oval pools are manufactured to precise dimensions and are designed to fit snugly within the pool. A liner that feels unusually tight during installation is often not a defect in the liner itself, but a sign of common installation issues. Contributing factors typically include insufficient sand under the liner to create a stable foundation, a cove that lacks proper shape or height, or a liner that was not carefully laid out and centered during installation.
Expert Tips:
- Before beginning installation, double-check that the sand base is evenly distributed and compacted, and that the cove is fully formed. Correcting these areas early can make laying the liner much easier and help prevent wrinkles, stretching, or other fit issues.
- There should be NO AIR SPACE between the vinyl liner and the base that the liner is resting on. If these instructions are not followed when filling the pool, excessive stress can be placed on the vinyl liner at the cove area (where the floor and pool wall meet). This added stress will cause the liner to exert inward pressure on the pool wall, potentially causing the wall to shift inward or bend.
- Water cannot be added to a swimming pool unless the vinyl liner is supported properly.
Proper Liner Positioning for Oval Pools
For oval pools, proper positioning begins at the curved ends. Once the liner is correctly centered on each end, installation continues along the straight sides. This method helps distribute the liner material evenly across the pool and reduces tension in any single area.
Installation technique is important: for oval pools, the curved ends should be positioned first, followed by the straight sides, rather than working continuously around the pool in a clockwise or counterclockwise motion.
Keeping the liner evenly positioned ensures the floor seam remains level around the entire pool and helps prevent wrinkles or uneven tension in the vinyl.
Why Proper Installation Makes the Difference
Installing the liner evenly around the pool wall ensures it is properly supported and performs as designed. Proper installation:
- Keeps the floor and wall seams level throughout the pool
- Reduces wrinkles and folds in the liner
- Ensures full support at the base and cove
- Maintains correct tension so the liner conforms to the pool’s shape
When the liner is properly supported and in the right position, installation goes smoothly, and the liner is held securely along the pool floor and walls. Following the manufacturer’s installation and safety instructions is important. Helpful steps, such as placing the curved ends first and then the straight sides, help the liner spread evenly. Following these steps ensures the liner fits correctly and makes the installation process simple and trouble free.
Expert Tip: The end of the oval pool does not require additional support because the pool wall and vinyl liner are not manufactured to hold up the weight of the water. The correct base and cove (Underneath the vinyl pool liner) must be installed properly to ensure a safe and proper pool installation.
Final Thoughts
Above ground oval pools are designed for strength, durability, and long-term enjoyment. With proper preparation and installation, they provide a stable structure, smooth liner fit, and dependable performance season after season.
By offering engineered buttress-free oval pools from trusted manufacturers and supporting customers with decades of experience, The Pool Factory helps homeowners move forward with confidence and enjoy the full benefits of their pool investment.
