Whether you’re a pool owner or planning to become one, safety is an important part of pool ownership. A pool cover isn’t just about keeping your pool clean – it’s also a smart investment in safety, energy savings and water conservation.
To help you make the right choice, we’ll break down the different types of pool covers in greater detail, including:
- Safety covers vs. non-safety covers: Key differences, pros and considerations.
- Automatic pool covers: Ideal for easy, in-season use and added safety.
- Winter pool covers: To protect your pool during off-season months.
- Mesh safety pool covers: Allows water to pass through while blocking debris.
- Solid vinyl safety pool covers: Creates a barrier against dirt, algae, debris and wildlife.
Both Latham and our partner brand, Coverstar, offer a wide range of cutting edge safety covers and automatic safety covers made to protect your pool and simplify maintenance.
Benefits of Pool Covers
There are plenty of reasons to consider a pool cover:
- Water Conservation: By reducing water evaporation, pool covers help conserve water. This can be especially helpful in areas with water use restrictions.
- Enhanced Safety: A safety cover prevents people and pets from falling into your pool and accidentally drowning, giving you peace of mind when your pool is unattended.
- Cleaner Water: Covering your pool prevents dirt, debris, insects and wildlife from getting into your pool. A pool cover also helps keep out pollen and falling leaves that can contribute to algae growth.
- Reduced Maintenance: ALess debris means less frequent skimming, fewer chemical adjustments and fewer “top-offs” due to evaporation.
Energy Savings: According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a pool cover can help you save you up to 70% on annual energy costs by retaining heat and reducing strain on filtration systems. Coverstar automatic pool covers help you make the most of these energy-saving and safety benefits.
Why Choose Latham and Coverstar Pool Covers?
Both Latham and Coverstar are unified in our mission to give pool owners the best of style, safety and cutting-edge functionality. With options like a secure, weatherproof keyed safety switch and intuitive LCD touch-screen controller, Coverstar autocovers incorporate innovative technology to make pool protection simple and convenient.
Backed by durable stainless steel parts and a sealed motor that stands up to the elements, Latham and Coverstar pool covers are reliable, built-to-last and help take the effort out of maintenance.
At Latham, we’re big on options that work for every backyard lifestyle and aesthetic. Choose from a variety of autocover color choices and lid styles, including walk-on concrete lids and discreet bench seating combos to fit your pool design. Whether you’re looking for an under-track or top-track system, you can’t go wrong with a Latham or Coverstar autocover for safety, performance and style.
Safety Covers vs Non-Safety Covers
Not all pool covers are safety covers. Only safety covers are designed to prevent accidental entry into the pool. Non-safety covers primarily maintain consistent water temperatures and block debris, but don’t offer the same level of security.
Safety Pool Covers
Safety covers are made from durable materials that can support substantial weight, making them ideal for households with children and pets. Some local regulations may even require a safety cover to ensure your pool meets local regulations.
Pros & Considerations:
- Enhanced safety: Safety covers help prevent accidents and unauthorized access when your pool is unattended..
- Reduces debris: Blocking dirt and debris means cleaner water and easier maintenance.
- Energy-saving, helping your pool better retain heat and reduce energy costs.
- Higher up-front cost: Safety covers are typically more expensive to purchase and install than non-safety covers. However, their long-term benefits create greater cost-savings over time.
- Professional installation required: A safety cover should be installed by a professional to ensure it meets standards.
All Latham and Coverstar pool covers are safety covers. Whether you’re looking for an autocover or manual safety covers, we carry a wide variety of options to fit your needs.
Non-Safety Pool Covers
Non-safety pool covers are typically lighter and easier to remove, but offer less protection.
Pros & Considerations:
- Cost-effective: Non-safety covers have a lower up-front cost and don’t always require professional installation.
- Ease of use: Non-safety covers are often lighter weight. In some instances, you can DIY safety cover installation.
- Limited safety: Non-safety covers do not provide the same level of protection against accidental falls or unauthorized access to your pool.
- Less durable: Non-safety covers experience more wear and tear, requiring pool owners to replace them more frequently. These costs add up over time.
Reduced energy efficiency: Non-safety covers might not be as energy-efficient compared to safety covers.
Automatic Pool Covers vs Winter Pool Covers
Both automatic and winter covers have distinct uses. Automatic covers are great for use when pool season is in full swing. On the flipside, winter covers protect your pool during colder months when your pool is closed for the season. Many owners use both, switching to a winter cover at the end of the season to protect their automatic cover from snow or ice damage.
Automatic Safety Pool Covers
Sometimes called “autocovers,” automatic safety covers are retractable and roll up with just the touch of a button, switch, or touchpad. No need to find added storage space! These covers are used specifically during pool season, helping to prevent accidents and reducing maintenance and energy costs.
While automatic safety pool covers are a slightly more expensive option, their ease of use, safety benefits and long-term cost and energy savings outweigh any drawbacks.
In areas that don’t experience all four seasons, you can use an automatic pool cover year-round. Even if you don’t have snow in your part of the country, heavy precipitation can accumulate on an automatic pool cover. A pool cover pump can help you easily remove accumulating water and any debris from the surface of your autocover before it’s time to reopen.
Winter Pool Covers
When pool season is over and it’s time to close your pool, winter pool covers protect your pool from the elements. These semi-permanent covers are designed to withstand large piles of snow, ice and prevent debris from landing in your pool when it’s not in use during winter months.
If you have an automatic pool cover, you’ll also need a winter pool cover when it’s time to close your pool for the season. If you live in an area that receives significant snowfall, automatic pool covers are not made to support the weight of heavy snow accumulation, which can damage their complex mechanics. A winter cover can support the weight of heavy snow, protecting both your pool and your summer autocover.
When choosing a winter pool cover, there are a few options to explore.
Mesh Safety Pool Covers
If you have an automatic pool cover and roll it back to prevent damage once your pool is closed for the season, mesh pool covers allow water to filter through. This eliminates the need to remove standing water from the pool cover with a cover pump. However,you might have to occasionally pump out excess water that filters through to prevent overflowing.
Mesh covers can be easily folded up and stored away when not in use. Their lighter weight also allows for a less cumbersome installation than a solid winter pool cover.
However, mesh pool covers allow light to filter through to the pool, creating ideal conditions for algae bloom. Leaves and other debris can also seeps through the cover, contributing to mucky water and making reopening your pool come spring a tougher (pH) balancing act.
Solid Vinyl Safety Pool Covers
Solid vinyl safety pool are usually heavier than mesh, but can be folded up and stored when you’re not using them. Solid vinyl pool covers can also be made to fit over autocovers and prevent the weight of heavy snow from damaging your automatic pool cover and its track.
Their strong, sturdy material prevents debris, water or sunlight from entering the pool, making opening your pool in Spring/Summer a breeze. If you choose a vinyl winter cover, be prepared to pump off any water that accumulates on the cover. An automatic cover pump can be placed on the cover, which will turn on and off when water is detected.
Make the Right Choice For Your Pool Cover with Latham and Coverstar
The right pool cover completes your backyard experience, combining safety, convenience, and protection for years to come. Whether you need an automatic safety cover for easy, daily use or a winter cover for seasonal protection, Latham and Coverstar choose the right cover to fit your pool and lifestyle.
Need help choosing a pool cover? Contact us and speak with a Latham and Coverstar brand expert who can help you find a cover that checks all the boxes!
