Choosing the Right Pool Cover

When reviewing pool options, it’s important to understand the different types of covers available. Choosing the right pool cover is essential for maintaining water cleanliness, ensuring safety, and reducing maintenance efforts. This blog will explore three popular types of pool covers: automatic covers, solar blankets, and winter safety covers, helping you make an informed decision that fits your lifestyle and needs.

Automatic Covers

Automatic pool covers are a fantastic investment for those seeking luxury, convenience, and efficiency. These covers can be easily opened and closed with the push of a button, making them ideal for families with children or pets. We proudly install Coverstar Canada automatic covers, which are designed with durability and safety in mind.

Benefits of Automatic Covers

1. Safety: They provide a sturdy barrier that prevents accidental falls into the pool
2. Convenience: With just a click, you can cover or uncover your pool in seconds, encouraging more frequent use
3. Visually Appealing: Automatic covers come in a variety of colours that fit seamlessly into the design of your pool. The cover retracts below the surface of your pool deck, and the tracks it runs on are hidden beneath your pool coping
4. Energy Efficiency: Automatic covers help retain heat in the pool, reducing heating costs and keeping heat in the pool on colder nights
5. Cleanliness: Automatic covers completely cover your pool, which stops leaves and other dirt from getting into your pool water. Most of the time, leaves and dirt blow off from the cover and you won’t need to remove them. This helps keep your pool water clearer, filters cleaner, and reduces how much chemical you need to balance your water
6. Reduced chlorine consumption: Protecting your pool water from UV light helps reduce chlorine consumption, so you need less chlorine in your pool
7. Reduced evaporation: The average (uncovered) pool loses 1/4inch of water per day to evaporation, depending on air temperature, air humidity, water temperature, sunlight, and wind. Automatic covers essentially eliminate this evaporation, significantly reducing the amount of water you may need to add throughout the season

While they come with a higher upfront cost, the long-term savings in maintenance and heating can be considerable, making them a worthwhile investment for many homeowners.

Solar Blankets

If you’re looking to extend your swimming season and reduce heating costs, a solar blanket might be the right choice for you. We install Cleardeck solar blanket systems, which are designed to maximize solar absorption while providing excellent insulation.

Benefits of Solar Blankets

1. Heat Retention: They help retain heat from the sun during the day and reduce heat loss at night, keeping your pool warmer for longer
2. Cleanliness: Solar blankets help stop leaves and other dirt from getting into your pool water. This helps keep your pool water clearer, filters cleaner, and reduces how much chemical you need to balance your water
3. Reduced chlorine consumption: Protecting your pool water from UV light helps reduce chlorine consumption, so you need less chlorine in your pool
4. Reduced evaporation: The average (uncovered) pool loses 1/4inch of water per day to evaporation, depending on air temperature, air humidity, water temperature, sunlight, and wind. Solar blankets help to reduce this evaporation, significantly reducing the amount of water you may need to add throughout the season
5. Cost-Effective: Solar blankets are an affordable way to enjoy heated pool water without relying solely on a heater. Solar blanket users see a dramatic decrease in how often their pool heater runs
6. Environmental Impact: Using the sun’s natural warmth means you can reduce energy consumption and your carbon footprint. Solar blankets are easy to use—simply roll them out on the pool surface when not in use and take them off when you’re ready to swim. They also come in various thicknesses and sizes, making them versatile for nearly any pool

Winter Safety Covers

Investing in a high-quality winter safety cover is essential for our climate. River Rock Pools installs “trampoline-style” winter safety covers, which are safer for children and pets. These covers last longer, do not trap stagnant water, and are much more visually appealing than traditional “clip-in” vinyl covers.

Benefits of Winter Safety Covers

1. Safety: Similar to automatic covers, winter safety covers provide a strong barrier, protecting children and pets from accidental falls
2. Durability and Strength: Made from high-quality materials, these covers can handle the weight of snow and ice, preventing damage to the pool
3. Maintenance Reduction: By effectively blocking debris and sunlight, winter covers minimize the amount of cleaning needed when spring arrives. While traditional winter covers might be less expensive, safety covers offer additional peace of mind and protection
4. Ease of install: Winter safety covers clips into recessible anchors on your pool’s deck surface. Once these anchors are installed, putting the cover on in the winter and taking off in the spring is quick and tidy

Conclusion

Choosing the right pool cover is about understanding your individual needs and the specific benefits each type offers. Whether you opt for the convenience and safety of an automatic cover, the energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness of a solar blanket, or a winter safety cover, investing in quality will ensure your pool stays in top condition year-round. As you think about your options, consider the installation services River Rock Pools provides to help make your selection easier and tailored to your specific requirements. Let’s keep your pool safe, clean, and ready for fun, no matter the season!