When gunite/concrete may fit the project
Circulation, views, structures, decks, and features need one site-built, property-specific composition.
Educational material comparison
Gunite vs vinyl-liner pool: compare the project before choosing the system
Gunite/concrete is Wave's flagship custom-pool path; vinyl-liner remains a verified supporting option rather than the lead recommendation.
The fair comparison starts with the property, intended design, and full scope. Vinyl-liner capability remains available as an educational comparison option.
Wave Outdoors Pools
Decision frame
Compare the two systems on the decisions that survive the quote
Compare form, timing, finish and liner ownership, access, and complete scope, not only the first construction number.
| Decision axis | Gunite / concrete | Vinyl-liner |
|---|---|---|
| Current Wave position | Flagship custom-pool path. | Verified capability and supporting education, not the lead recommendation. |
| Planning price | $120,000–$200,000 for project planning, not a quote or minimum-price promise. | No verified Wave vinyl-liner planning range is published here; compare a full written scope rather than a generic figure. |
| Timing after approvals and site readiness | Typically six to eight weeks of construction. | No verified Wave vinyl-liner timing range is published here. |
| Form and finish | Review the site-built form and selected finish as part of the proposed pool environment. | Confirm that the selected lined system supports the property plan and intended use. |
| Ownership planning | Confirm selected-system components, care, and written coverage. | Plan separately for the liner as a replaceable component; this does not promise Wave liner-replacement work. |
| Wins when | The design needs a site-built form and integrated poolscape that a selected lined system does not resolve. | The selected lined system, property fit, full scope, and future liner plan align in writing. |
Design and engineering coordination can take about eight weeks, and permitting commonly takes one to three months. Access, site conditions, municipal review, season, materials, features, utilities, safety work, and surrounding construction can change the final budget and timeline.
Fit before preference
Use explicit conditions for both systems
When vinyl-liner may fit the project
The selected lined system supports the approved property plan, intended use, full scope, and future liner ownership planning.
When either needs more definition
Access, grading, utilities, safety, engineering, permits, and the surrounding construction have not yet been resolved as one scope.
What ownership means here
Review selected-system components, care expectations, liner planning where applicable, and written coverage rather than assuming an outcome from a material label.
Buyer decision questions
Resolve the design and scope before the material label
Compare the form, property access, timing, complete project scope, finish and liner ownership planning, selected-system components, and written coverage.
Wave's verified current positioning names gunite/concrete as the flagship custom-pool path. That is positioning, not a claim that a lined system cannot fit a specific approved project.
Not by itself. No Wave vinyl-liner planning range is published here, and the comparison is incomplete until the same site work, deck, features, utilities, safety, design, permits, and future liner planning are included.
Start with the property plan before finalizing the system
See how Wave develops the pool, site, structures, utilities, safety, engineering, and permitting scope before the material decision is finalized.