Pool Cover Buying Guide
When it comes time to replace your pool cover PoolSupplyDelivery.com is here to help. There are 3 different types of pool covers offered today: Solar Pool Covers, Winter Pool Covers and Safety Pool Covers.
Solar Covers are used for both in-ground and above-ground pools and are intended to be cut to size and float on the top of the pool water. Solar covers are not only a source of free solar heat added into the pool, but they also prevent heat captured from exiting the pool by acting as an insulating thermal blanket. Solar covers are offered in many different variations including clear, blue, and silver.
Winter Covers are used for both in-ground and above-ground pools are intended to be ordered by pool size and installed using the appropriate installation accessory. Winter Covers are offered in both a solid and mesh material and are intended to be installed at the end of fall and remain in place until you open the pool in the spring. Winter covers are a great way to close your pool for the season but provide no safety element when closed.
Safety Covers are used for in-ground pools only and are intended to be ordered by pool size and installed using a permanent anchor-type installation. Safety Covers are offered in both a solid and mesh material and are intended to be installed at the end of fall and remain in place until you open the pool in the spring; in addition, many homeowners that have little use of their pool also close up early to eliminate the use of costly chemicals. Safety covers will give you that extra peace of mind all winter knowing that no animals or children can accidentally fall into your pool.
Solar Covers
There are three general types of solar covers, liquid blankets, standard solar blankets, and solar sun rings. Regardless of the option of cover you go with, solar covers will increase and maintain the pools temperature making your pool swimmable for a longer period of time.
Liquid solar blankets are usually in a ball form that will disintegrate over time releasing the liquid blanket into the pool. The liquid cover will not affect your pool equipment and acts as an insulating blanket that will eliminate heat loss caused by evaporation during the evening hours. Liquid blankets will not heat as well as standard blankets or the solar sun rings.
Standard solar blankets are offered for in-ground and above-ground pools. The only difference between them are the sizes; above-ground options default to round and oval while in-ground options are rectangular. All of the standard solar blankets regardless of the color or transparency are made to be cut to size. You order the closest to your pool needs and then cut for an exact fit. You want to keep the cover as close to the pool wall as possible; this will seal in all the heat possible. Solar blankets provide a free source of heat that your pool can use. Solar blankets can be installed using a solar reel system making cover application and removal as painless as possible.
Solar Sun Rings are a floating round disc that is similar to a standard pool blanket with the exception it has been tested and can produce up to 21,000 BTU per ring per day.
Winter Covers
There are two types of winter covers, solid and mesh. Solid winter covers will not allow any water to pass through the cover and require the use of a cover pump at the time of removal. Mesh winter covers allow water to slowly pass through the cover and do not require the use of a cover pump at the time of removal. Winter Covers are installed the same way whether they are for an above-ground or in-ground pool.
Winter Covers for above-ground pools are ordered by pool size and often include a 4’ overlap. This overlap allows for proper cover installation. Above-Ground covers are installed using a cable and winch system which is included with most covers and allows you to tighten the cover snug under the top rail of the pool. The installed cover canal so be secured by wall bags or cover clips. For areas with high wind they often recommend the use of a wind wrap shield. These covers recommend the use of air pillows to relieve some of the stress caused on the cover during the winter months.
Winter Covers for in-ground pools are ordered by pool size and often include a 5’overlap. This overlap allows for proper cover installation. In-Ground covers are installed using water tubes or aquabloks to weigh the cover down securing it in place. The cover has a grommet on each corner for added security when installing. These covers recommend the use of air pillows to relieve some of the stress caused on the cover during the winter months.
Winter Covers also have the option to install a leaf net. Leaf nets are intended to be applied at closing and be removed right before the first snow. This will allow all the leaves to gather on the pool cover and be removed prior to removal. By using a leaf net you save yourself a load of time at removal because the leaves will already be removed from the now melted snow.
Safety Covers
There are two types of safety covers, solid and mesh. Solid safety covers not allow any water to pass through the cover and require the use of a cover pump at the time of removal. Mesh safety covers allow water to slowly pass through the cover and do not require the use of a cover pump at the time of removal.
Safety covers are made to be ordered by the pool size, are made to be an exact fit to your pool, and require the proper sizing for their safety element to remain intact. Safety covers do have many stock sizes that are offered with and without steps.These stock sizes are all for rectangular pool with concrete anchors, without cut corners, and pools that do not have any non-removable items within 18” of the pools edge. That means if you have a diving board stand, slide legs, built in spa, grecian ends, custom waterfall options, etc you will more than likely require a custom safety cover.
Safety covers have straps every 3x3 or 5x5 feet and require a permanent anchor-type installation. There are many different anchor types including concrete, wood deck and even grass. Stock covers have concrete anchors while custom covers allow you to specify the anchors needed when ordering.