Although it's already time to prepare for the winter season, it's still important to keep your pool covered. There are a variety of pool covers that are available to fit almost any swimming pool. In this article, we will talk about the various types of pool covers and their pros and cons.
Standard Winter Cover
Price range $75–$225
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This cover does a good job of keeping out sunlight and debris.
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One other thing that's not ideal about this type of cover is that it doesn't hold a lot of weight. This means that it's very wet if an animal or person tries to walk on it. Standard covers also require a pump to keep the water away from the top.
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This material only lasts 1–3 seasons before it has to be replaced.
Security Cover
Price range $1,200–$3,000
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Most inground pool customers have a security cover that's attached to the concrete. These covers are similar to a trampoline, but they're built to hold it in place using springs and straps.
Solid
Another type of security cover is solid vinyl. This material prevents water from entering the structure. A vinyl security cover is typically made of a durable vinyl material. This type of cover is more advantageous than a solid vinyl one. Last 6–10 years.
Mesh
This type of cover is made of mesh material and can be used for keeping the leaves and debris out. It can also support heavy loads. This mesh rain screen is ideal for minimizing water damage. It doesn't require a pump to operate. Lasts 10-15 years.
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Solid
Solid covers are generally considered to be more attractive than a pump top, but in reality, they require a bit of adjustment to keep the right amount of suction. These covers usually only last for about 2 to 4 years before they break, and the cost of replacing them is around $225. Solid covers are also not as durable as mesh ones.
Mesh
Although mesh security covers can prevent water from entering the pool, they can also cause it to get dirty. This usually takes a few days to clear up after opening.
Automatic Covers
Price range $12,000–$22,000
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Automatic Covers have two biggest benefits:
They are wonderful solar covers
They offer constant protection against unwanted guests/swimmers
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Auto covers are made of vinyl and typically require replacing after around five years. The cost of doing so is typically around $2000 to $4000 per cover.
Although these covers are great for keeping the pool water cool, they can also cause issues with the water's temperature. This is especially true during the months of July to August.
Auto covers can cause the water to get too hot, which makes it feel like a hot bath. This is very uncomfortable and not very refreshing.
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With so many components, it can be difficult to identify which parts are prone to breaking down. Most of the time, these issues can happen after 3 years. Getting a pool cover that breaks can be very frustrating for swimmers. It can also keep them from going into the water.
Although these covers are designed to protect vehicles from snow and ice, they are not ideal for minimizing the weight of heavy snow loads. In some cases, opening them before a major storm can prevent them from collapsing. In other cases, it is necessary to prepare for a major storm by opening up the cover.
This post was originally published on River pools and spas
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