What Type of Safety Cover Should I Get for My Pool?

When you purchase a home with a swimming pool or decide to add one to enhance your backyard and entertainment space, your priority should be safety. Pools are SO much fun, but can also be dangerous for non-swimmers, including adults, children, and animals. Consider a safety cover to ease your worries in the off-season and significantly reduce the risk of an accident.

When it comes to pool covers, there are three types: light-permeable mesh, thick-permeable mesh, or solid. Let’s review these options in more detail to help you decide which makes the most sense for you and your family.

Light Permeable Mesh Covers

Pros

• Block 95% of UV rays from the sun to help prevent algae growth in your pool during the closed months.
• Limited filtering ability to keep dirty water mixed with smaller debris out of your water.
• A lightweight cover makes it easy to put on during the closing.

Cons

• Lightweight, this can be damaged in high wind situations or for houses on the water.
• Allows enough light through the cover to promote algae growth during the off-season.

Thick Permeable Mesh Covers

Pros

• Block 99% of UV rays from the sun to help prevent algae growth in your pool during the closed months.
• Significant filtering ability to keep dirty water mixed with smaller debris out of your water.
• Heavier weight and tighter stitching make it ideal for homes on the water, or those who deal with high winds during storms.

Cons

• Somewhat heavy cover can make it harder for people to install themselves during a closing.

Solid Covers: Available with drain panel or cover pump options

Pros

• Block 100% of UV rays from the sun to help prevent algae growth in your pool during the closed months.
• Do not allow water to enter the pool; keep dirty water mixed with small debris out of the pool.

Cons

• Extremely heavy covers make it harder to install during the closing.
• Must remove water from the cover whenever possible to prevent damage to the cover and hardware.
• Must use your own water to refill the pool for opening, as it will not refill during the off-season.

There are many options on the market for safety covers. At South Shore Pool Supply, we are certified vendors and installers of both Meyco and Loop Loc safety covers. These companies are the top cover manufacturers in our area and consistently push the envelope to exceed ASTM F1346-23 Safety Standards. They also have a variety of great colors to match your backyard’s vibe!

Worried about whether your decking will prevent you from having a safety cover? From composite, porcelain, bluestone, limestone, quartzite, granite, concrete, and even turf-we’ve seen it all!

Contact us today to receive an estimate and discuss the best way to keep your family safe this Holiday Season!