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PWB(Pool Wall Board) and Pool Wall Foam Comparison

by | Feb 10, 2016 | Pool Discussion | 0 comments

pwb

 

Pool Wall Board comparison with Pool Wall Foam

The advantages and disadvantages of PWB(Pool Wall Board) and Pool Wall Foam

For many years the only material available for pool technicians to use between a damaged pool wall and the vinyl  liner was Pool Wall Foam, an inexpensive light weight closed cell foam. Today we will discuss a new product called PWB or Pool Wall Board and give some comparisons between the PWB and the Wall Foam.This comparison will help when deciding which product is right for the certain job. In most cases, the Wall Foam works fine in protecting the liner. There are occasions when another material is needed when there are ground water issues that causes liner floating or the pool wall needs a more rigid material to cover corrosion or pitting in the wall.

 

Let’s start with the advantages of PWB

  • PWB is made from a 100% post industry recycled low-density polyethylene in a patent pending process that has a proprietary treatment on both sides to enhance its bonding ability. This treatment allows the PWB to bond really well using Frank’s Sticky Stuff spray adhesive to multiple surfaces including concrete, wood, aluminum and steel walls.
  • PWB is the same density as water so it will not float.
  • PWB is very flexible so it can make curves and radiuses with ease down to 1”.
  • The board can also be scored with a razor blade to make clean 45 and 90 degree angles. This makes the PWB a good solution for rusted steel stairs.
  • The PWB board comes in (39 ¼”) by (45 ¼”) sheets, this allows the board to fit both 42” and 48” pool walls.
  • The installation of the PWB board is very easy utilizing only two men and often only one man in small pools. Installation time for average pools is approximately 30 minutes.

 

Disadvantages of PWB

  • Pool Wall Board is heavier, this causes the cost of the product to be slightly higher.

Now we are moving to the advantages of Pool Wall Foam

  • Pool wall foam is a closed cell foam which is mostly air, this makes it a very inexpensive material to manufacture and use as a protective layer on the pool wall.
  •  Pool Wall Foam is manufactured in rolls that are light and fairly easy to handle.
  • Wall Foam gives the pool wall a soft cushion like feel to swimmers.
  • Wall Foam is generally manufactured in ⅛” or ¼” thickness with different foam densities for different customer budgets.

Disadvantages of Pool Wall Foam

  • The closed cell air bubbles in the Wall Foam can cause floating issues if there is a groundwater problem.
  •  Foam loses its bond to most spray adhesives once the adhesive dries or cures out. This is why it releases from the pool wall and floats when water gets behind the liner.
  • Rusted walls can eat through some foams exposing the vinyl liner to damage.
  • Windy days can make application of Pool Wall Foam difficult.

All in all, the PWB is a stronger more durable alternative to Wall Foam. The PWB does cost more than foam but will hold up to damage and water problems longer. Both of these products have a place in the market, it really depends on the situation the builder is dealing with when choosing what product to use.

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