Welcome to our Swimming Pool Cover Guide. We aim to improve your backyard oasis. Whether you’re new to pool ownership or upgrading, knowing about pool cover types is key. This guide will cover the benefits of pool covers, how to pick the right one, and what features to look for.
A pool cover keeps your pool clean, safe, and saves on maintenance and heat. We’ll look at solar, thermal, and safety covers and their benefits. Join us as we explore the best pool cover options for your home.
Key Takeaways
- The importance of choosing the right cover type to suit our needs.
- Accurate measurements are crucial for an effective pool cover fit.
- Different materials offer varying benefits for heat retention and maintenance.
- Safety covers provide year-round protection against accidental drownings.
- Understanding cost factors can help us make informed decisions.
Why Use a Swimming Pool Cover?
A swimming pool cover offers many benefits for every pool owner. It does more than just look good. It helps keep our pools clean, safe, and well-maintained all year round. A cover is key for keeping the pool clean, safe, and warm.
Preserving Cleanliness
Keeping the pool clean is a top reason to use a cover. It stops leaves and bugs from getting in. This makes the water clear and clean. It also means less cleaning for us, making swimming more enjoyable.
Enhancing Safety
Keeping our loved ones safe is very important, especially around pools. A strong cover acts as a barrier against accidents. It gives families peace of mind, knowing they’ve taken steps to protect their children and pets.
Reducing Maintenance Efforts
Using a cover also cuts down on maintenance. It means less time cleaning and balancing chemicals when the pool is not in use. For instance, a solid cover can greatly reduce the need for daily cleaning, saving time and money.
Minimising Heat Loss
A good cover also keeps heat in the pool. This is great for swimming in cooler weather or saving on heating costs. Research shows a cover can keep the heat in by up to 75%. This keeps the pool warm and inviting.
Selecting the Best Swimming Pool Cover Types
We have two main types of swimming pool covers to look at: standard and custom. Each type has its own benefits and differences. These are key to picking the right cover for us.
Benefits of Standard Covers
Standard pool covers fit most pool sizes and are easy to get. They offer several advantages:
- Cost-effectiveness: They are usually cheaper than custom covers.
- Ease of installation: They fit standard sizes, so we can put them in ourselves.
- Basic protection: They keep debris out and help keep the pool warm.
- Compliance with safety standards: Many standard covers meet safety rules, giving families peace of mind.
Advantages of Custom Covers
Custom pool covers fit our pool’s exact size and shape. This makes them very useful:
- Perfect fit: They cover the pool fully, keeping heat in and water from evaporating.
- Durability: Made from strong materials, they last a long time.
- Enhanced safety: They can be made to prevent accidents by covering the pool fully.
- Versatility: We can choose from many materials and designs to match our style and needs.
Choosing the best cover means looking at standard and custom options. Knowing the differences helps us pick the right one for our pool. This makes our pool experience better.
Swimming Pool Cover Guide: Measuring for the Perfect Fit
Getting the right measurements is key for a pool cover that fits well and looks good. It helps keep debris out and keeps the pool warm. This guide will show us how to measure for a pool cover, making sure it fits our pool perfectly.
Importance of Accurate Measurements
Many homeowners don’t realise how important it is to measure correctly when choosing a pool cover. Sadly, 90% of customers order the wrong size. This leads to problems during installation and can damage the cover. To get a good fit, we need to think about the pool’s shape, including:
- Type 1 pools: Modified rectangle shapes (e.g., Grecian, L-shaped, bowed ends).
- Type 2 pools: Shapes like oval, kidney, lazy L, or freeform, which may require A-B measuring or triangulation for a proper fit.
Steps to Measure Your Pool
Here are the steps to get accurate measurements:
- Put stakes for measuring A and B points securely in the ground, at least 20 feet apart.
- Mark points along the pool’s inside edge every 24 inches. For sharp corners, mark every 12 inches.
- For pools with curves, mark points no more than 2 feet apart, and mark 1 foot apart for tight curves.
- Draw a diagram of the pool, number each point, and note any obstructions within 18 inches of the edge.
- Round measurements to the nearest inch consistently.
- Check the overall length and width to make sure our measurements are correct.
- Add double the distance for any measurement over a foot to account for water level drops.
Following these steps helps us get accurate measurements and makes installing the pool cover easier. Remember to measure at the start, middle, and end of curves, and about 3-4 feet apart for straight parts. Knowing the difference between pool size and cover size labels helps us pick the right cover for our pool.
| Pool Type | Measurement Points | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Type 1 (Modified Rectangle) | 30-40 points | Basic measurements suffice; account for modifications. |
| Type 2 (Freeform, Oval) | 50-60 points | A-B measuring or triangulation required for safety covers. |
With these tips, we can measure our pool cover accurately. This ensures a perfect fit that improves our pool’s function and looks.
Understanding Pool Cover Materials
Choosing the right pool cover materials is key for keeping your pool safe and well-maintained. We have many options, each with its own benefits for our pools. Let’s look at the main types: plastic, mesh, and solid covers.
Plastic Covers
Plastic pool covers are popular for being light and affordable. They’re often used as solar covers, cutting down on evaporation and heat loss. However, they might not last as long under heavy use. They also may not be safe for kids or pets.
Mesh Covers
Mesh covers are a great choice. They keep debris out and let rainwater drain, preventing water from gathering on top. This makes them convenient and safe. Mesh covers can handle a lot of weight, keeping kids and pets safe from accidents.
Solid Covers
Solid pool covers offer top-notch protection and insulation. They keep debris out and hold in heat. They’re heavier and harder to move, but they last a long time. Solid covers help save on heating costs over the years.
| Cover Type | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Plastic Pool Covers | Lightweight, affordable, reduces evaporation | Lacks durability, limited safety features |
| Mesh Covers | Prevents debris, allows drainage, strong safety | Can be slightly more expensive |
| Solid Pool Covers | Excellent insulation, robust protection | Heavier, requires more management effort |
Knowing about these pool cover materials helps us pick the best for our pools. This ensures our pools stay safe and efficient for many years.
Choosing the Right Type of Pool Cover
Choosing the perfect pool cover is important. We need to think about safety, the seasons, and costs. It’s key to balance safety features with how it looks, especially if kids or pets are around. Understanding these factors helps us pick the best cover for both looks and function.
Safety vs. Aesthetic Appeal
Safety features are top priority, especially with young ones or pets. Covers that meet local laws help prevent drowning. They come in strong mesh or solid types, keeping out unwanted guests but still looking good. A smart choice can make the pool look great and keep everyone safe.
Seasonal Considerations
Knowing what each season needs helps us decide. Solar covers warm up the water, making swims more enjoyable for longer. In winter, a cover keeps the pool clean and safe, saving on upkeep. Seeing how we’ll use the pool in different seasons helps pick the best cover for us.
Cost and Longevity Factors
Looking at pool cover costs and how long they last is smart. Automatic covers are pricier but save time. Choosing quality materials means less upkeep and saving on chemicals. A good cover cuts down on water loss and energy use, making it a smart buy.
Where to Buy Pool Covers
Looking to buy pool covers? We have many options to suit different needs and tastes. Knowing where to shop can make a big difference in the quality and price of our purchase. We can check out online stores and local pool supply shops for the right products.
Online Retailers
Online stores are getting more popular for buying pool covers because they offer lots of choices and good prices. Sites like Amazon, Poolsupplyworld, and PoolandSpa have a wide range of options, from solar blankets to safety covers. With just a few clicks, we can look at prices and brands to find the best deal. Online reviews from users are also very helpful, giving us insights from others who have bought pool covers.
Local Pool Supply Stores
Shopping at local pool supply stores is another good way to find pool covers. Being able to see and touch the covers in person is a big plus. Stores like Builders Warehouse and swimming pool specialists have products suited to our local weather. The staff there can give us advice on which covers will work best for our pool’s size and type.
Recommendations and Reviews
It’s important to look at recommendations and reviews before buying. Researching different brands helps us find out which pool covers are highly rated. Brands like Coverstar and Aquamatic offer strong products for various needs. When buying pool covers, think about the price, how long it will last, and if it’s right for our climate to make a better choice.
| Store Type | Advantages | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Online Retailers | – Wide selection – Price comparison – User reviews | Amazon, Poolsupplyworld, PoolandSpa |
| Local Pool Supply Stores | – Hands-on product examination – Expert advice – Localised products | Builders Warehouse, Local pool specialists |
Conclusion
In our swimming pool cover guide, we’ve looked at key factors for choosing the right cover. We saw how prices range from R5,000 to R40,000 for manual covers and R100,000 for automated ones. This shows the need to match our budget with our pool’s size and what we want to achieve.
Knowing how to measure correctly and pick the right material helps us. It makes our pools last longer and stay inviting all year. The blog explains how different covers, like safety nets and thermal ones, suit different needs.
By considering these points, we can make our pools safe and beautiful. This way, we protect our families and enjoy our outdoor spaces. Following these tips helps us get the most out of our pool covers.