Swimming Pool Covers - The reasons for and against

It's all a cover up! It doesn't have to be blue and covered in bubbles to be the right cover for you. But even when it is a bubblecover, make sure you get the right one in quality and effectiveness.


Solar Bubble Covers - Only appropriate on outdoor summer pools were the cover remains on the pool for much of the day, allowing it to gain solar heat energy. Solar covers now come in different thicknesses and have various USP's which offer enhanced solar gain or heat retention values, all of which come at a price. Sadly on-line prices have taken this business away from the pool shop, which means that the buyer must be more aware of what they are purchasing.We've also seen covers that are have open bubble edges rather than heat sealed edges and joining seams that can run within 2' of the cover edge. Such manufacturing results in greater wear, reduced efficiency and less cosmetically appealing. Acceptable I guess if the price is right?!
Follow the link for more information http://www.aquaflex.co.uk/


Heat Retention Covers - This style of cover acts like a duvet, insulating the pool and reducing evapouration and heat loss. Most commonly used in indoor applications, but shouldn't be ruled out on heated outdoor pools, where solar gain isn't so imperative but  heat conservation is more important. This is especially the case if the cover is off the pool for much of the day - hotels & school pools.
Follow the link for more information http://www.plasticapool.co.uk/


Hemming and Leading Edges - By hemming or sealing the covers edge there is no opportunity for water to ingress into the cover and degrade the edges, especially important on heat retention covers. Sealing or hemming also protects the cover from friction were over the copings as the cover is rolled on and off the pool. A leading edge is a floating bar that is secured to a rope that allows the user to pull the cover evenly onto the pool from the far end. Making the covering of the pool that much easier.


Winter debris Covers - As important as the summer cover. This cover keeps wind blown debris out of an outdoor pool throughout the winter, also reducing the UV breakdown of chemicals as the cover blocks out the winter rays, prolonging the life of the chemicals and preventing the water going green. The covers are over sized by normally 300mm around the perimeter and are either fixed down with springs and pegs or with water bags, if the client is adamant that they don't want 6mm holes drilled into their paving. A winter cover will save considerable work come the spring when the pool is opened. by keeping debris out and prolonging the chemicals life the water can be clear and clean come the spring.
Follow the link for more information http://www.aquaflex.co.uk/


Manual Safety Covers - There are now a number of manual safety style covers on the market, all of which are based on a fabric sheet, either being secured in tracks or by metal bars running across the pool. This style of cover will double up as both a summer and winter cover, particularly effective in keeping debris out of the pool. There is no real solar gain achieved with this style of cover but there is some heat conservation as the cover eliminates wind chill/cooling and the warm pocket of air under the cover does insulate the pool from evaporating and heat loss.
Follow the link for more information http://www.poollock.com/ - easy cover


Automatic Slatted Safety Covers - Now we are moving into the expensive cover ranges. Slatted covers can be retro fitted, but are most often installed when the pool is built from new, as the cover can be stored in a  pit at the back of the pool, so there is no visual roller or housing for the cover.
The cover floats on the pool surface and will just appear/disappear from under your feet by the turn of a key. There are locking devises that provide an element of safety and the cover will take small weight loads if stepped upon (pets deer etc). However it will fold with an adults weight, which allows water to run onto the cover and could be considered a hazard.
The covers are electrical operated, with the motor mechanism being incorporated in the spool of the roller.
We would really strongly advise NOT TO have a floor pitted system. If the cover becomes jambed or the motor fails the entire pool needs to be emptied to resolve the issue.
The slats come coloured and there is even a solar slat, which are extremely efficient, if not just a bit expensive. They are also excellent heat retainers and reduce evaporation effectively.
The covers are popular with both indoor and outdoor pools, although when installed on an outdoor pool we would recommend that a winter cover is also considered. This allows the slatted cover to be retracted away safely, reducing the staining of debris and UV damage. The winter cover doing the things mentioned above.
Follow the link for more information http://www.poollock.com/ - slatted cover


Automatic Sheet Cover - These covers are the safest cover on the market and can be manually or  mechanically operated, the cover running along tracks either under the coping or at the rear of the coping if retro fitted. Sheet covers completely encapsulate the pool and therefore keep debris out of the pool for the entire season, so they double as a winter cover as well as a safety summer cover.
Like the slatted cover, they can be pitted or housed in a coffin style box at the rear wall.
As the cover forms a catch for rain water, it is supplied with a submersible pump that sits on the cover and removes water as it collects. It should be noted that if this fails or isn't put onto the pool then the cover cannot be removed until the water is removed of the cover.
As the cover is under a lot of torque and operates with running gear it is important that it is servcied annually to ensure trouble free operation. This therefore has an on going cost thta the customer should factor when purchasing this style of cover.