A Pool Cover Buyer’s Guide

A good cover does three big things: cuts evaporation, saves heat & chemicals, and keeps debris out. The trick is choosing the right cover for your pool, climate, and budget. Here’s Pool Life’s straightforward, no-nonsense guide.

Picking a pool cover – Start with your goals.

Pick the two or three that matter most—your answer determines the cover type.

• Evaporation & water savings
• Heating & heat retention
• Leaf/debris control
• Child/pet safety (specialist products only)
• Ease of use/automation
• Aesthetics / low visual impact
• Price

Note: Standard solar “bubble” blankets are not safety devices. Safety remains the job of compliant fencing/gates unless you install a certified safety cover.

Cover types (pros, cons, and when to choose)

1- Solar/thermal “bubble” blankets (on a roller)

Best for: Evaporation reduction, heat retention, price-to-performance

What they are: Polyethylene blankets with air bubbles (often 400–600 microns).

Pros:

• Significant evaporation savings (often 70–90% when used consistently)
• Retains heat overnight; can add a few degrees by day
• Fast ROI; easy DIY install/cut-to-fit

Cons:

• Not a safety cover
• Needs a roller and a UV over-cover when stored
• Can degrade if left on during heavy shocking/high chlorine

Tips:

• Choose reputable material and thickness (micron).
• Always use the protective over-cover on the roller.
• Remove during high-chlorine treatments; let FC drop to normal before re-covering.

2- Automatic slat covers (rigid PVC or polycarbonate)

Best for: Premium look, strong heat gain/retention, excellent evaporation control

Pros:

• Push-button convenience; some models integrate into the pool edge
• Polycarbonate “solar slats” can add meaningful heat.
• Neat, durable, low visual clutter

Cons:

• Highest upfront cost, professional install needed
• Needs a clear pit or bench space
• Check compatibility around steps, ledges, and odd shapes.

Choose if: You want the most convenient, low-effort solution with strong thermal performance and a clean aesthetic.

3- Leaf/debris nets (mesh)

Best for: Heavy trees/leaf fall, quick autumn clean-ups

Pros:

• Very light; easy to deploy/remove
• Keeps big debris out while water passes through

Cons:

• Minimal evaporation/heat benefit
• Still need filtration and chemistry to stay on point.

Choose if: Leaves are your primary headache and you want a lightweight, budget-friendly layer—often paired with a solar blanket.

4- Winter covers (solid or mesh with anchors)

Best for: Long off-season closures (colder regions)

Pros:

• Strong debris control; reduces light/algae growth
• Anchored perimeter resists storms

Cons:

• Slower to remove/reinstall
• Less common in year-round swimming climates

Choose if: You truly “close” the pool for months.

5- Liquid “solar” covers (monolayer)

Best for: Pools where a physical cover is impractical

Pros:

• Nothing to roll on/off; easy dose
• Helps reduce evaporation in calm conditions

Cons:

• Less effective in wind or with frequent swimmers
• Needs regular dosing; gives no debris control

Choose if: You can’t fit a blanket/roller, or if you want a slight boost alongside shade/windbreaks.

Roller & hardware options (for bubble blankets)

• Standard manual roller: Most common; wheeled base to park out of the way.
• Low-line / bench roller: Lower profile or disguised as a bench.
• Under-bench or pit systems: Concealed, with a premium look.
• Straps & edge reinforcement: Protects towing points and edges during use.

Must-haves: A UV over-cover for the rolled blanket, quality end caps/reinforcements, and smooth anchor points to avoid chafe.

Measuring & fitting (quick guide)

1. Measure the waterline (inside the coping) at the longest/ widest points.
2. Order a size slightly oversized; trim in place with sharp shears.
3. Cut-outs for ladders/handrails: template and trim conservatively.
4. Leave a small clearance around skimmers, lights, and in-floor fittings so edges don’t snag.
5. Fit towing leading edge and roller straps; check blanket tracks straight when rolling.

Care & maintenance

• Rinse occasionally to remove dust and chemical residue.
• Store covered (UV over-cover) whenever on the roller.
• After shocking: Remove the blanket and aerate; re-cover once FC returns to normal.
• Trim frayed edges early to prevent tears from creeping.
• Check straps, eyelets, and slats every few months; replace worn parts before they fail.

What about chemistry and circulation?

• Covered pools hold heat and chemistry better, but you still need:
  • Balanced water: pH 7.2–7.6; TA 80–120 ppm (fibreglass 60–100); CH in range.
  • Adequate run time: Run longer on low RPM for quiet, efficient filtering under a cover.
  • Chlorine strategy: Avoid chronic over-chlorination under covers—dose small, test often.

Evaporation math (why covers pay back)

An 8 × 4 m pool losing just 5 mm/day evaporates ~160 L/day—that’s over 4,000 L per month. A cover slashes that loss, saving water, heat, and chemicals, and easing your top-up schedule.

Safety notes (important)

• Standard solar/leaf covers do not make a pool safe. Maintain compliant fencing/gates and active supervision.
• If you want a safety-rated solution, ask about certified safety covers or specific slat systems with compliance data for your region.
• Keep walkways clear; never allow anyone to walk or play on non-safety covers.

Quick chooser (two-step)

Pick your priority:

• Max savings & value → Solar bubble blanket + roller
• Premium convenience & looks → Automatic slat cover.
• Heavy leaf load → Leaf net (optionally over a blanket)
• No room for a roller → Liquid cover + shade/windbreaks

Match to your pool:

• Complex shapes/obstacles → prefer custom-cut bubble blanket or slat system with professional measure-up
• Strong winds/exposed sites → invest in secure anchoring and windbreaks.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Leaving a blanket rolled in the sun without an over-cover (it cooks).
• Shocking under the cover—it ages the material and can promote chloramine odours.
• Buying purely on micron number—material quality and UV stabilisers matter more than thickness alone.
• Skipping the roller to save money—if it’s hard to use, you won’t use it.

Smart add-ons

• Bench roller that doubles as seating/storage
• Windbreaks or shade sails to boost evaporation savings
• Automation to schedule cover/feature use and pump speeds
• Leaf canister to reduce filter clogging in leaf season

How Pool Life can help

• On-site measure & advice based on your goals, budget, and site conditions
• Supply & install: solar blankets/rollers
• Evaporation audit and rough payback calculation for your setup
• Care pack: over-cover, strap kit, maintenance tips, and a seasonal use plan