As swimming pool season grinds to a halt, many pool owners are looking to buy pool covers. If you’re among them, then perhaps you are wondering which type of cover is right for you. 

A swimming pool cover does more than just keep children and pets out of your pool during the off-season. It also prevents your pool from becoming a nasty mess until warmer weather and sunnier skies roll around again. So, which pool cover is best for you?

Protecting Your Pool with a Pool Cover

Pool covers, like anything else, are certainly not created equally. And for the most part, you get what you pay for. If you buy a cheap pool cover, chances are that it’s going to be super thin. On the other hand, if you invest a bit in your pool cover, it will more than likely perform better than an El Cheapo cover and last longer. 

Which cover is right for you depends on the type of pool you have, the climate where you live, and how much you have to spend, as the price on pool covers runs the gamut from very economical to quite pricey.

Most swimming pool covers fall into one of three categories: winter covers, security covers, and automatic covers. Each has advantages and drawbacks to consider. Let’s run down the types of pool covers to help you find the right one.

Standard Winter Swimming Pool Covers

The main reason pool owners buy pool covers is to keep out debris — leaves, bird droppings, etc. — and to prevent sunlight from penetrating your water and degrading your chemicals. Most last for one to three seasons before requiring replacements. The biggest disadvantage to this type of cover is that water or other items on top of the cover can weigh it down. In fact, it can’t hold much weight to begin with, so not even the cat can walk across your in-ground pool without taking a dunk.

Security Covers for Swimming pools

A security cover has a trampoline-like look with spring-loaded straps that let you anchor it into place, usually via concrete, so it stays on firmly. There are both mesh and solid security covers available to buy. These covers do an excellent job of keeping out debris and leaves while supporting heavy loads of snow.

Unlike a standard winter cover that may require you to pump off excess water buildup, the mesh security cover does not, since rainwater just goes right through it. Count on mesh covers to last up to 15 years, making them a better investment than a basic winter cover. 

A solid security cover, by contrast, doesn’t allow any rainwater to pass through and keeps water cleaner for your pool’s annual opening. Solid covers last up to 10 years.

Automatic Pool Covers

Automatic swimming pool covers or safety pool covers are usually the most expensive since they are super durable, made of high-quality materials, and require little effort to cover and uncover the pool once installed, which most pool owners appreciate. 

When it comes to pool supplies in NJ, pool covers are among the most essential because they also do a great job of keeping debris out of the water. Most act as solar covers, helping retain heat in the water. Auto covers require more maintenance than other types, and they generally last five years or less.

A pool cover is an important purchase, especially if you have small children and pets that need a deterrent to hopping in the pool when your back is turned. When it’s time to buy a pool cover, reach out to Island Pools & Patios for all your swimming-pool-related needs, including NJ pool maintenance.