By placing a safety cover over the water, you can keep out leaves, pine needles, flower petals, and other debris that would otherwise collect in the water and require vacuuming or netting. This saves you significant maintenance hassle.

Why Should You Cover Your Pool

There are several key reasons why covering your pool, hot tub, or spa is beneficial:

Reduce Maintenance

When covered, less dirt and dust can accumulate on the water's surface, reducing the demands on your filtration system. Covers also help retain heat from the sun, minimizing heater usage. One study found pool covers can cut chemical and heating bills by up to 70%.

Protect Surfaces

Prolonged sun exposure can cause pool surfaces, along with hot tub shells and jet components, to fade, crack, or degrade more quickly over time. The covering provides UV protection to lengthen the usable life of these expensive surfaces.

Insulate Against Heat Loss

As air temperatures drop, an insulating winter pool cover prevents warmth from escaping the water. Studies show that properly installed covers can keep pools warm for up to 21 days without heaters running, saving vast amounts in energy costs.

Types of Pool Covers

There are a variety of different materials and styles of pool covers available to suit different budgets and needs:

Winter Pool Tarps

Made of heavier-duty materials like vinyl or polyester scrim, these covers provide maximum thermal insulation for retaining heat through fall and winter.

Solar Pool Covers

Dark in color, solar covers trap heat from the sun's rays to help warm the pool naturally without power. They work best in combination with a winter-insulated cover for colder regions.

Automated Pool Covers

Electric or manual rolling systems offer hands-free convenience, pulling a cover tight over the entire surface with just the push of a button. They require a structural frame to be installed.

Bubble Covers

Inflatable tube or bubble-style materials provide a lightweight, low-cost option but don't insulate as well as solid covers. They need bubble lock fasteners or tapes to prevent deflation.

Multi-Purpose Safety Covers

Durable for both winter insulation and green uses during swim seasons, these versatile covers add an extra layer of protection for pets and children around pools.

Mesh Pool Covers

Constructed with a breathable mesh top material, these covers allow rain and snowmelt to pass through while still keeping debris out. They are best for more temperate climates without harsh winters.

Installing a Pool Cover

Proper installation is key to ensuring a pool cover functions effectively and lasts for many seasons. Here are the basic steps:

Prepare the Pool Area

Remove any leaves, debris, or toys from the surface and surrounding decking. Sweep thoroughly.

Lay Out the Cover

Unroll the entire cover and smooth out any wrinkles or air bubbles, working from the shallow to the deep end.

Adjust for Fittings

Make cut-outs or gently pull back material to accommodate skimmer baskets, return lines, etc. Use cap anchors or tape as needed.

Inflate solar Bubbles

Placing inflated disks or tubes underneath helps the cover float without sinking. Use a bubble location guide.

Secure with Straps

For solid covers, run straps or ties around the perimeter coping or mounting strips. Pull snugly but not too tight. Reel-type covers roll up the cover automatically.

Choosing the Right Pool Cover Material

The type of material used to construct a pool cover has a significant impact on its insulating abilities, durability, and overall lifecycle costs. Here is a breakdown of common material options:

Polypropylene

A slightly heavier and more rigid option, polypropylene covers provide stronger insulation against very cold weather. They can last for 10-15 years.

Vinal

While vinyl pool covers maintain warmth nicely, they are more vulnerable to damage from sun exposure over time compared to other plastics.

Scrim reinforced

Adding polyester or fiberglass scrim layers sandwiched between outer plastic films creates a very strong, wind-resistant cover suitable for harsh climates.

Roller system overlays

Lightweight PVC or mesh fabrics work well for automated retractable covers that only need to block debris, not cold winter air.

Solar pool covers

Typically made from polyethylene, chlorinated polyethylene, or reinforced materials, they effectively trap energy from the sun's rays beneath them.

Polyethylene

One of the most affordable materials, polyethylene is resistant to tears and punctures. It retains heat well and often comes with multi-year warranties.