Pool Covers: The Complete Guide to Choosing, Installing, and Maintaining the Perfect Cover for Your Pool
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Looking for the best pool cover to protect your investment? You're in the right place! Pool covers are essential for keeping your pool clean, safe, and energy-efficient. This guide will help you understand the different types, find the perfect fit, and maintain your cover for years to come.
Types of Pool Covers: Finding the Right Match for Your Needs
Not all pool covers are created equal. Each type serves a specific purpose, from heating the water to keeping children safe. Let's explore your options:
Click on each type of pool cover to learn more about its features, benefits, and typical costs.
Solar Pool Covers
What they are: Bubble-like covers that float on the water surface, trapping heat from the sun.
Key benefits:
- Raise water temperature by 10-15 degrees
- Cut water evaporation by up to 95%
- Reduce chemical use by blocking UV rays
Price range: R950-R5,700 depending on size and quality
Best for: Pool owners looking to extend swimming season and reduce heating costs
Safety Pool Covers
What they are: Strong, secure covers that can support weight and prevent accidental drowning.
Key benefits:
- Prevent accidental drowning
- Keep out debris, leaves, and animals
- Reduce maintenance when pool isn't in use
Price range: R11,400-R34,200 depending on size and material
Best for: Families with children and pets
Winter Pool Covers
What they are: Covers designed to protect pools during the off-season.
Key benefits:
- Prevent leaves and debris from entering the pool
- Reduce spring cleaning time
- Protect pool components from weather damage
Price range: R950-R5,700 depending on size and durability
Best for: Seasonal pool users who close their pool for extended periods
Automatic Pool Covers
What they are: Motorized covers that open and close at the touch of a button.
Key benefits:
- Convenience - open and close with minimal effort
- Excellent safety features
- Reduce evaporation and heat loss
Price range: R95,000-R380,000 installed
Best for: Luxury pools and owners seeking maximum convenience
Solar Pool Covers
What are they? Solar covers (also called "bubble covers" or "solar blankets") look like bubble wrap. These floating covers trap heat from the sun and transfer it to your pool water.
Benefits:
- Raise water temperature by 10-15 degrees
- Cut water evaporation by up to 95%
- Reduce chemical use by blocking UV rays
- Lower energy costs by reducing the need for pool heaters
"I saw my heating bills drop by 50% after adding a solar cover," says Jamie Meece, a pool industry expert. "They're the most cost-effective way to keep your pool warm."
Top solar covers for 2025:
- Best Overall: SunHeater Pool Solar Blanket
- 12 mil thickness (good balance of durability and ease of use)
- Available in multiple sizes
- Easy to trim for custom shapes
- Price range: R1,300-R3,200 depending on size
- Best Heavy-Duty: BigXwell 1600 Series Solar Pool Cover
- 16 mil thickness for maximum durability and heat retention
- Works well in cooler climates
- Includes clips for reel attachment
- Price range: R1,700-R3,800 depending on size
- Best for UV Protection: In the Swim Premium Plus Solar Blanket
- Aluminized material to minimize UV exposure
- 12 mil thickness
- 7-year warranty (longest in the category)
- Price range: R1,500-R3,400 depending on size
Things to consider:
- Thickness: Measured in mils (1/1000 of an inch). Thicker covers (14-16 mil) retain more heat but are heavier to handle. Thinner covers (8-12 mil) are easier to use but less durable.
- Color: Clear covers allow more heat in but don't block UV rays. Blue covers block some UV rays but don't warm the pool as quickly.
- Size: Always measure your pool and buy a cover slightly larger than needed.
Safety Pool Covers
If you have children or pets, safety covers should be at the top of your list. These strong covers can support the weight of multiple adults and create a barrier over your pool.
Benefits:
- Prevent accidental drowning
- Keep out debris, leaves, and animals
- Reduce maintenance when the pool isn't in use
- Meet ASTM safety standards
Top safety covers for 2025:
- Best Overall: Blue Wave Rectangular In-Ground Safety Cover
- Supports up to 485 pounds
- Mesh design allows rain to pass through
- Includes brass anchors and stainless-steel springs
- Price range: R11,400-R22,800 depending on size
- Best Solid Safety Cover: GLI ProMesh Safety Cover
- Blocks all sunlight to prevent algae growth
- Includes drainage pump for removing rainwater
- 15-year warranty
- Price range: R13,300-R28,500 depending on size
- Best for Extreme Weather: Happybuy Pool Safety Cover
- Reinforced stitching for high winds
- UV-resistant material prevents fading
- Includes stainless steel hardware
- Price range: R9,500-R17,100 depending on size
Installation note: Safety covers require anchors drilled into your pool deck. They're not suitable for above-ground pools without a deck.
Winter Pool Covers
When swimming season ends, winter covers protect your pool from harsh weather, debris, and unwanted visitors.
Benefits:
- Prevent leaves and debris from entering the pool
- Reduce spring cleaning time
- Protect pool components from freezing damage
- More affordable than safety covers
Top winter covers for 2025:
- Best Overall: Robelle Super Winter Cover
- Heat-sealed seams for durability
- 5-foot overlap for secure fit
- Water-resistant material
- Price range: R1,300-R2,850 depending on size
- Best Budget Option: In The Swim Winter Cover
- Reinforced edges to prevent tearing
- Includes cable and winch tightener
- UV-protected material
- Price range: R950-R2,280 depending on size
- Best for Heavy Snow: Blue Wave Bronze Winter Cover
- Supports heavy snow loads
- 8-year warranty
- Extra-large overlap for security
- Price range: R1,140-R2,660 depending on size
Winter cover tip: Always remove standing water from the top of solid winter covers with a pump or drain. The weight can damage the cover over time.
Automatic Pool Covers
For the ultimate in convenience, automatic covers roll out at the touch of a button. They're expensive but offer unmatched ease of use.
Benefits:
- Open and close with minimal effort
- Excellent safety features
- Reduce evaporation and heat loss
- Long lifespan (often 5-10 years with proper maintenance)
Top automatic covers for 2025:
- Best Overall: Coverstar Automatic Safety Cover
- Meets all safety standards
- Custom-fit to your exact pool dimensions
- 7-year warranty on mechanism
- Price range: R95,000-R285,000 installed
- Best Value: Pool Trac Automatic Cover
- Lower cost than most automatic systems
- Solar-powered option available
- 5-year warranty
- Price range: R76,000-R190,000 installed
Reality check: Automatic covers require professional installation and represent a significant investment. However, they often pay for themselves in energy savings, reduced chemical use, and convenience.
Pool Cover Selection Guide by Pool Type
In-Ground Pool Covers
In-ground pools have specific needs for covers:
- Installation challenges: The cover must anchor to the surrounding deck
- Size considerations: Often larger and may require custom fitting
- Material needs: Must be strong enough to span wider areas
Best options for in-ground pools:
- Rectangular pools: Standard safety or winter covers work well
- Custom shapes: Solar blankets (can be trimmed) or custom-fitted safety covers
- Large pools: Consider using a reel system for easier handling
Above-Ground Pool Covers
Above-ground pools have different requirements:
- Attachment methods: Typically use cables or straps that go around the pool perimeter
- Support needs: May require center poles or pillows to support the cover with snow or rain
- Size considerations: Standard sizes typically work well
Best options for above-ground pools:
- Round pools: Intex Round Metal Frame Pool Cover (R475-R950)
- Oval pools: Blue Wave Oval Above-Ground Cover (R1,140-R2,280)
- Winter protection: Winter Block Above-Ground Pool Cover (R570-R1,330)
Helpful tip: For above-ground pools, air pillows placed under winter covers create a dome effect, allowing snow and rain to slide off rather than pooling in the middle.
Key Features to Consider When Choosing a Pool Cover
Material and Durability
The material of your pool cover directly affects how long it will last and how well it will perform:
- Polyethylene: Most common for solar covers. Lightweight and good heat transfer, but less durable (2-3 year lifespan).
- Polypropylene: Used in mesh safety covers. Stronger than polyethylene with better UV resistance (7-15 year lifespan).
- Vinyl: Used in solid safety and automatic covers. Very durable but heavier (5-10 year lifespan).
Durability tip: "Always check the warranty length," suggests pool expert Mike Navarro. "It's usually a good indicator of how long the manufacturer expects the cover to last."
Thickness and Weight
For solar covers, thickness (measured in mils) matters:
- 8 mil: Lightweight and easy to handle, but less durable and less heat retention
- 12 mil: Good balance of weight and durability, recommended for most homeowners
- 16 mil: Maximum heat retention and durability, but heavier and harder to handle
For safety covers, weight is measured by how many pounds per square foot they can support. Look for covers that support at least 485 pounds (enough for two adults).
Size and Fit
A proper fit is crucial for any pool cover:
- Measure correctly: For rectangular pools, measure the length and width at the widest points. For round pools, measure the diameter.
- Add overlap: Add 2-3 feet to each dimension for winter covers to ensure proper coverage and anchoring.
- Consider features: Account for steps, ladders, and other features when measuring.
Measurement tip: "It's always better to go too large than too small," says Murphy, pool expert at Home Depot. "You can trim excess material, but you can't add what isn't there."
Installation Guide: Getting it Right the First Time
DIY Installation Steps
Installing a solar or winter cover yourself can save money:
- Clean your pool thoroughly before covering
- Unfold the cover on one side of the pool
- Pull the cover across the pool's surface (easier with two people)
- Center the cover with equal overlap on all sides
- Secure with water bags or weights (for winter covers)
- Remove air pockets under the cover by smoothing it out
For safety covers:
- Mark anchor points according to the manufacturer's template
- Drill holes and install brass anchors
- Attach springs to the cover and secure to anchors
- Adjust tension evenly across the cover
Installation tip: "Watch the weather forecast and pick a calm day for installation," recommends pool professional John Sanchez. "Wind is your enemy when trying to spread out a large cover."
When to Hire a Professional
Consider professional installation if:
- You're installing a safety cover requiring deck anchors
- Your pool has an unusual shape requiring custom fitting
- You're installing an automatic cover system
- You have limited time or physical ability to handle heavy covers
Professional installation costs typically range from R3,800-R9,500 for standard covers and up to R57,000 for automatic systems.
Maintenance and Care
Cleaning and Care by Cover Type
Regular maintenance extends your cover's life:
Solar covers:
- Rinse with clean water monthly
- Store clean and dry when not in use
- Keep chemical levels balanced (high chlorine damages covers)
Safety and winter covers:
- Remove debris regularly with a leaf blower or soft broom
- Pump off standing water after rainstorms
- Wash with mild soap and water before storage
Storage tip: "Never fold a solar cover when storing it for long periods," warns pool maintenance expert Lisa Johnson. "Roll it bubble-side in on a reel or in large, loose coils to prevent bubble damage."
Extending Your Cover's Lifespan
Simple practices can add years to your cover's life:
- Clean before storing to prevent mold and mildew
- Store in a cool, dry place away from direct