S&R Pools

Specializing in Liner Replacements and Safety Covers

pool cover installed

A Guide to Choosing a Winter Pool Cover

Choosing the correct winter cover is an important decision, and what is best for your pool is not the same as what is best for your neighbors pool. Every pool owner has their own unique needs, you should choose the cover that is best for your pool. This guide is intended to provide you enough information to make the correct choice.

SmartMesh Safety Covers:

Pros:

  • Lightweight
  • Durable
  • 100% shade!! Shade is important when choosing a cover because the amount of sunlight that gets through a cover will determine the amount of algae that grows. No sunlight means no algae, conversely if a cover has only 80% shade the pool will be covered with green algae when the pool is opened
  • Does not allow dirt and debris to enter the pool
  • Filters rain water
  • 15 year warranty
  • Provides winter safety

Cons:

  • Allows water to enter the pool (this is only an issue if you have a glass tile around the pool perimeter) If you want to have a mesh cover and maintain your water level below your tile you can put an automatic pump under the cover on one of the steps

Standard Mesh Safety Covers:

Pros:

  • Lightweight
  • Durable
  • 15 year warranty
  • Provides winter safety

Cons:

  • Allows water to enter the pool
  • Low shade 80% to 95% will allow algae to grow

Solid covers:

Pros:

  • 100% shade!!
  • Keeps out all of the dirt, leaves and debris
  • Keeps water out of the pool (This is important to some of our customers.)
  • 10 year warranty (from Merlin)
  • Provides winter safety

Cons:

  • Very Heavy (could weigh twice what a mesh cover weighs)
  • Requires a pump on top of the cover to meet ASTM safety standards
  • Water will puddle on top of the cover making the top of the cover get dirty.
  • More susceptible to coping wear

Water Bag Winter Cover:

Pros:

  • Budget Price
  • 100% shade

Cons:

  • Does not provide winter safety
  • Requires a pump
  • Leaves the pool looking dirty and ugly during the winter months.
  • Hard to remove without getting pool water dirty