Which Pool Cover is Right for You?

Having a pool in your backyard can provide endless enjoyment and opportunities for a healthier lifestyle, but it also requires maintenance and introduces safety issues. Selecting the right pool cover will help reduce pool maintenance and eliminate safety concerns. You just need to decide which pool cover is right for you.

There are several factors to consider when determining which pool cover is right for you. You will need to consider budget, pool shape, pool placement and safety concerns.

Basic Needs Covered

Pool covers come in a variety of fabrications, sizes and installation methods. These all affect the price of the pool cover. Manufacturers provide a budget line in a thinner gauge vinyl or mesh. These options are less sturdy, but will provide protection from leaves and debris while also providing some safety for small children and pets. Economy options come in specific sizes and shapes based on your needs, but are not going to provide adequate coverage for custom pool shapes. They are tied down with anchors, but the thinner material will be more mobile than solid covers and allow small pets or debris to get underneath.

Solid and Secure

If you require a more secure pool cover or a cover that fits a custom shape, you can expect a much higher price tag. Heavy duty pool covers are much more costly, but are much safer. They are constructed of materials that are solid and can hold adult weight easily, making them perfect if you have small children, wandering pets, or stray animals in the area. Heavy duty safety pool covers will fasten to the deck or patio around the pool with anchors making them more secure. These options also provide additional protection from the sun which prohibits algae growth reducing maintenance costs. You can also get these custom covers in retractable versions for an easy on-off process.

Solar Covers

Another pool cover option are solar covers. These do not provide safety for small children or pets, but are an economical option for protecting the water and limiting the amount of debris that enters the pool. Solar covers can be mounted on a roll at the end of the pool and pulled across the pool in the evening to trap heat and limit debris falling into the pool. There are also solar cover discs that can be placed in the pool and configured for custom shapes and hot tubs.

While a pool cover is a must have for maintenance and safety, it’s not enough of a safety barrier on its own. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends multiple layers of protection, and suggests in addition to pool covers, that you install a safety fence around your pool area.

There are many options of pool covers available. You will need to consider your needs and determine which pool cover is right for you.