Swimming pool covers provide many significant benefits for swimming pool owners everywhere. Although some people may consider swimming pool covers a swimming pool accessory, they really should be viewed as a swimming pool necessity. Pool covers can keep your swimming pool free from debris, while some even serve as a safety feature for your pets or children. The benefits that swimming pool covers provide easily outweigh the initial cost. Town and Country Pools Inc. is here to share how a swimming pool cover can benefit you!
BENEFITS OF SWIMMING POOL COVERS
REDUCED SWIMMING POOL CLEANING TIME
The use of swimming pool covers can significantly decrease the amount of time swimming pool owners spend on cleaning and removing debris from their swimming pool. Keeping excess dirt or debris from your swimming pool will reduce operational costs and prevent unnecessary wear and tear on your swimming pool’s filtration system.
INCREASED SWIMMING POOL SAFETY
Some swimming pool covers can act as an additional safety feature for your swimming pool. Whether you have small children or pets, swimming pool safety should always be the main priority for pool owners. Specific pool covers can completely seal your swimming pool, preventing unplanned swimming pool access. These types of swimming pool covers can even support the weight of several people, preventing unnecessary accidents. *Although pool covers can offer added safety, there is no replacement for proper supervision.*
EXTEND SWIMMING POOL LIFE
Use of swimming pool covers can extend the overall life of your luxury swimming pool by preventing unnecessary wear and tear. With proper care, a quality swimming pool cover can last a long time. When making a swimming pool cover purchase, aim for quality and durability.
COST SAVINGS
Although swimming pools tend to lose energy in many ways, water evaporation is one of the most prominent. When a swimming pool is left uncovered, the water that evaporates also takes with it pool chemicals, consequently costing a pool owner more out-of-pocket expenses.
Additionally, without the use of swimming pool covers, a swimming pool owner who uses a pool heating system risks losing an excessive amount of water due to evaporation, especially in a hot tub, thereby increasing the pool owner’s overall utility bills. Using swimming pool covers can decrease the amount of energy and water required to operate your swimming pool efficiently.
All of these sound like pretty good reasons to invest in a quality pool cover, don’t you agree?
TYPES OF SWIMMING POOL COVERS
Swimming pool covers can come in many different shapes, sizes, and designs. They can range from an inexpensive low-tech design to more expensive high-tech designs. Cheaper swimming pool covers are commonly just a large, thick plastic sheet that is not recommended for long-term use. These types of swimming pool covers are generally hard to put on, take off, and store.
The more expensive pool covers tend to be higher tech, better tailored, and have an electronically powered system, which makes the covering and uncovering process quick and easy. There are many options available for pool covers; it all depends on your desires, needs, and budget. Although the initial cost of a swimming pool cover may be more than expected, just remember the potential return on investment.
- Solar Covers
A solar cover is a commonly used style, especially in the sunnier climates of the country. These covers can be used on above-ground or in-ground pools and are sometimes referred to as solar blankets. They help prevent loss of heat and also help prevent loss of chemicals and water through evaporation. They may increase the overall temperature of the water by 10 degrees. Solar covers are relatively inexpensive but do not provide the best “seal” when it comes to keeping dirt and debris from the water. They range in price from $50 up to a couple hundred dollars. These are NOT safety covers. - Tie-Down Cover
These covers are stretched across the entire pool and tied down with anchors. They do require that your swimming pool has at least two feet of decking (the anchors are embedded there). A pool cover manufacturer can design a custom cover that can fit over your spa, water features, or other accessories your pool boasts. A tie-down cover, like many of the others, can be made of solid vinyl or mesh (the mesh allows water to flow through). Plan on spending at least $500 and upwards of $2,000 for a pool cover—again, this depends on whether you want it custom-fit and the size of the pool. - Liquid Solar Covers
Liquid solar covers are made from calcium hydroxide. This “cover” is one molecule thick and safe for swimmers. This type of cover is easy to use and helps maintain consistent water temperature. - Track Cover
This style is one of the easiest in terms of getting the cover on and off the pool when you want to use it. As the name implies, the cover is installed on a closed track system above the pool. It can be operated manually or electronically. Plan on spending anywhere from $300 to $15,000 depending on whether you want a fully automatic cover and the size of your pool. - Safety Covers
Many covers can offer a layer of protection, but safety covers are specifically designed to hold a particular amount of weight — at least 450 pounds and cannot have any spaces that would be large enough for a child to slip through. A safety cover can also be a tie-down or a track style model. If you’re looking for a safety cover, make certain you tell your DC, Maryland, or Virginia swimming pool contractor to ensure you’re getting the style you need. The cost for a safety cover ranges from $1,000 up to close to 10,000 depending on the style and the size of your swimming pool.
As with any piece of pool equipment, you will have to upgrade and replace it after several years of use. Replacing a pool cover can also mean purchasing a cover with better technology that could provide a better layer of protection. Additionally, buying a swimming pool cover that operates on an automation system is extremely helpful. This added feature will help you cover and uncover your pool while also having the ability to turn on pool jets or lights.
While swimming pool covers can certainly be purchased online, your best bet is to work with your swimming pool contractor to assure you are getting a high-quality cover that fits your pool like a glove. Regardless of the style you choose, it’s crucial to the health and safety of your pool and those in the household to be diligent in the use of one.
CONTACT US TODAY
Contact Town and Country Pools Inc. today to discuss the swimming pool cover options available for you! Don’t forget to also check out the benefits of wide swimming pool steps.