Swimming Pool Store

Swimming pool covers are an important part of the pool gear a homeowner needs when owning and using a home swimming pool.  Basic types include winterizing covers, safety covers made of mesh or rigid materials, and mesh covers to keep leaves out.  This article goes into more details about the uses of the various covers as well as some other options.

One type of pool cover popular for those trying to reduce energy costs is sometimes called a solar blanket.  Resembling plastic bubble wrap, these covers are used to raise the temperature of the water by trapping heat from the sun inside.  Using a solar pool blanket can reduce the energy used by your pool heater and make the water more comfortable for all.

Winter pool covers do more than just protect the water from falling debris during the off-season.  For one thing, pets and wild animals sometimes try to drink from swimming pools.  A winter cover will protect these animals from falling into the pool and drowning. 

You can choose a mesh winter pool cover based on a number called the scrim number.  Scrim numbers are used to denote the tightness of the weave.  A higher scrim number designates a higher quality pool cover.  Some winter covers are not woven, but are made of vinyl that doesn't let any water through. These covers will allow rain or melted snow to collect on top of them.  To keep this from happening, there are inflatable pillows you can get that keep the center of the pool cover at a higher level so the extra precipitation runs off.

Safety pool covers come in mesh or solid varieties.  One important aspect of a safety cover is how it attaches to the pool or deck area.  The connecting latches on the deck should be recessed so that people do not inadvertently stub their toes on them.  The installed latches usually include a spring to give the cover a little more resiliency.  In order to be labeled a safety pool cover, the cover has to be able to withstand 485 pounds of weight on a five square foot area.  Obviously the anchoring system is as important as the quality of the cover.

A final pool cover choice is a simple loose weave mesh for keeping out leaves.  This sort of cover is best when it is made of high-quality polyethylene that won't decompose in a single season of weathering.  Some leaf covers are guaranteed to stand up through multiple years of wear.