Swimming Pool covers

A swimming pool cover is an essential piece of equipment for any swimming pool owner and there is a large selection of not just covers, but specific types of covers available. Below is a summary of each type.

Solar swimming pool cover

A solar swimming pool cover is the typical pool cover that is seen covering most pools and it is usually treated as an all purpose cover. As its name suggests, it offers UV protection we can assist in preventing the colour fading of vinyl pool liners.

These covers are typically made from polythene and the better covers have reinforcing material in them. Covers like this can be bought to size, or cut down to size on site.

These covers sit on the water's surface and are a good fit to the pool's size and shape.

Winter swimming pool cover

A winter swimming pool cover is intended for prolonged use over weeks or months and unlike a solar cover, which protects against UV rays, is made of a more heavy duty material. Reinforced webbing is usually spread across the cover and the edge treatment is also strengthened to prevent tears and fraying.

Winter pool covers act very much as physical protectors and their main job is to prevent foreign bodies, in the form of dead or blowing vegetation and debris, from getting into the swimming pool.

Because winter swimming pool covers have the job of preventing ingress into a swimming pool, they overlap the pool (by about 0.5 metres) and are stretched over (and usually suspended above) it.

These swimming pool covers are placed under high tension and there are often spring connectors that allow them to be anchored to a series of fixing point around the swimming pool. When fitted properly, they offer an impenetrable seal that keeps the pool clean and debris free.

Swimming pool tents and domes

The third kind of swimming pool cover is a tent or dome which is intended to provide a permanent or semi-permanent housing for the pool and its users.

These structures vary in price and rigidity of construction, with the top of the range models having remote control mechanisms that enable to cover to rise when in use and descend when inactive. They also offer the benefits of an outdoor swimming pool, but one that is protected from the rigours of the elements and one where heat is conserved.

General

In addition to the above, there are of course multi-purpose swimming pool covers that offer both basic protection (e.g. UV) and protection from mobile debris.

Swimming pool covers can be bought "made to order" or "off the peg" and you can buy them very cheaply, or at great expense. There are also roll and wind mechanisms (manual and automated) for opening and retracting the covers.

Please take a look at the adverts below for manufactures, suppliers, pool cover prices, and product specifications.