Do you want to eliminate debris buildup, reduce monthly utility costs, and keep your pool looking great year-round? All it takes to achieve these goals is investing in a quality pool cover. Let’s walk through your pool cover options, including what benefits each one offers.
Top Benefits of Pool Covers
1. Prevent debris contamination: Pool covers do just what the name implies—cover your pool. This layer of protection prevents debris like leaves, dirt, and twigs from contaminating your pool. Spend less time cleaning your pool and more time enjoying it with your family and friends.
2. Save money: Pool covers reduce the amount of water that evaporates from your pool. Less evaporation means less water usage, which produces a lower monthly utility bill. Your monthly savings might seem insignificant, but the annual savings make a difference.
3. Save energy: Heating your pool in the fall and winter requires energy, and energy isn’t cheap these days. Pool covers retain solar energy, which increases the temperature of the water. This natural warming process means you won’t need to heat your pool as often.
4. Ensure safety: According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), an estimated 4,000 unintentional fatal drownings occur in the U.S. each year. Young children are particularly susceptible to the dangers of unprotected pools. Drowning is the leading cause of death among children between the ages of one and four. It’s important to note that standard pool covers, while providing some protection, may still be associated with fatal drownings. That’s why safety covers and auto covers have become so popular, as they offer a more robust protective barrier between people and the water below, significantly enhancing your property’s safety.
Different Types of Swimming Pool Covers
When it comes to swimming pool covers, you have various options to choose from. Here’s a breakdown of the main types along with their primary benefits.
Mesh Covers
Mesh pool covers are made of lightweight material that stretches to fit the size of your pool. The small holes in the mesh keep your pool warm without overheating it, prevent large debris from contaminating the water, and prevent rainwater from pooling on top. Mesh covers are easy to install, fold, and store.
Solid Covers
Unlike mesh pool covers, solid pool covers are made from a durable, solid material like vinyl. They cover your pool completely, leaving no room for water, debris, or sunlight to enter. They’re heavier than mesh covers but still easy to fold for storage. Solid covers are typically custom-made to fit your pool’s dimensions.
Solar Covers
Solar pool covers keep debris out and keep warmth in. They capture heat from sunlight to keep your pool warm during cold weather, allowing for year-round enjoyment. They’re lightweight, affordable, and save you money on your water bill by preventing evaporation, thus conserving water. You can find solar covers for both inground and above-ground pools.
Automatic Pool Covers
Automatic pool covers are a specific kind of mesh, solid, or solar pool cover. They’re durable, keep debris and sunlight at bay, and require little maintenance. The beauty of these pool covers is that you can open and close them at the press of a button. These fully retractable covers are configured into your pool’s design, which means they require no folding or storage.
Choosing the Right Cover for Your Pool
These are the key considerations you should make when searching for a pool cover.
Pool Size
Measure your pool, and note its dimensions. Covers for standard-size pools are readily available online and at any pool equipment store. Covers for non-standard pool sizes, however, will need to be custom-made.
Type of Pool
The type of pool you have will help determine the type of cover you need. For example, the cover for an inground pool should extend three inches or more over the edge.
Pool Shape
Is your pool square, rectangular, round, oval, or another shape? Pools with unique designs will require a custom cover.
Local Weather
Mesh covers are ideal for areas with heavy rainfall. Solid covers are ideal for areas with high temperatures, strong winds, or heavy snowfall. Solar covers are ideal for cold climates.
Purpose
What functions do you want your pool cover to serve? If you want the cover to keep the water cool and prevent rainwater from pooling on top, go with mesh. If you want the cover to protect your pool from debris and sunlight, opt for solid. If you want a pool that will stay warm year-round, solar is the way to go.
Warranty
It might seem counterintuitive, but an extended warranty is the mark of a well-made pool cover. That’s because an extended warranty shows the buyer that the manufacturer is confident in the cover’s ability to last for years to come even in harsh conditions.
Budget
Pool covers are available at a range of prices. You can easily find a quality pool cover that fits your needs and your budget.
Unlock Discounted Pool Covers When You Become a UAG Member
If you’re a pool professional, consider buying your pool covers through UAG. As the industry’s leading pool product supplier, we deliver the quality covers you need at a competitive rate. Getting the products you need at a discounted price is just one of the perks our members enjoy. Want to learn more about our exclusive benefits? Contact our team today, or click the button below to become a member.
