Swimming Pool Cover Options

Getting a cover for your pool can save you plenty of time and money. It can cut down on the amount of debris you’ll have to clean out of your pool, add an extra layer of protection, increase your pool’s temperature, and reduce your pool’s chemical consumption. If you’re thinking about adding a cover to your pool, here’s an overview of some of the different types of available swimming pool covers as well as their pros and cons.

1. Solar Pool Covers

If you live in a warmer climate, you may want to consider a solar pool cover. Their purpose is to reduce heat loss and chemical loss due to exposure to the air and water evaporation. Both in-ground and above-ground pools can be covered with solar covers. The main selling point of these covers is that they’re an inexpensive choice.

Solar pool covers have some real disadvantages, however. They don’t completely seal the pool, so debris can still build up around the edges of the pool. These covers also don’t provide any kind of latch that can be used as a safety feature. In fact, they can actually pose a safety hazard in the sense that a person or animal could easily enter the pool and then climb underneath the cover and drown without being seen. If you choose to use a solar cover, you should take plenty of precautions to make sure children and pets are kept safe.

An alternative to a regular solar cover is a liquid solar cover which is a microscopic layer of calcium hydroxide which you can add to the surface of your pool that can help to regulate the pool’s water temperature.

2. Track System Pool Covers

Track system pool covers are great for people seeking a no-fuss way to cover and uncover their pool quickly. This type of cover is designed to open and close by running along a track. There are both manual and electronic track covers available for purchase. Manual track covers are comparable in price to some tie-down covers, while the high-end automatic electronic covers can cost significantly more money.

3. Tie-Down Pool Covers

Tie-Down Pool Covers are ideal for pools that are surrounded by decking. In fact, you have to have at least two feet of decking surrounding your pool if you want to use this type of pool cover. They come in either mesh or solid vinyl. The advantage of these covers is that they securely cover the entire surface of your pool and therefore do a better job than solar covers when it comes to blocking debris. They are a bit more of a hassle to work with than solar covers, because they have to be secured with anchors. They’re also more expensive than solar covers. If you want a custom-fit tie-down cover for your pool you can expect to pay even more than you would for a standard size tie-down cover.

4. Safety Pool Covers

These covers are specially designed to help prevent children or animals from entering the pool. They differ from other covers in that they can usually hold up to around 450 pounds of weight, which would prevent a child from climbing on top of the cover and falling into the water. Though they tend to be among the most expensive varieties of pool covers, they offer owners a sense of security that other covers simply can’t rival.

Choosing the right cover for your pool is a big decision. The type of pool cover you decide to buy for your pool will depend on your personal preferences and budget. For optimal fit, protection, and selection, seek the advice of an experienced pool contractor who can help you find your ideal pool cover.

Lyon Financial

Since 1979 Lyon Financial has made the backyard resort dream come true for over 400,000 families across the U.S. Through our solid relationships with more than 3,000 pool contractors and our continued commitment to putting our clients first, we have built a reputation as the first choice in providing pool financing solutions. For more information, visit lyonfinancial.net or call (877) 754-5966 today.