A swimming pool cover is an essential accessory for adequately using a swimming pool. Depending on the type, it can perform various functions: winterizing the pool, securing, protecting the water, and maintaining the water temperature. Its main advantage is facilitating swimming pool maintenance and saving on treatment products.
Generally, a pool cover starts from $40 for entry-level models and can go up to $2,000 for the most resistant models. Generally, the cost is estimated according to the type of tarp, quality, thickness, and dimensions.
What Are the Different Functions of a Pool Cover?
Pool covers are opaque and solid covers designed to be installed above the pool. Made of PVC or polyethene, they are resistant and thick. Their installation uses robust fixing components such as eyelets, tensioners, and bands.
Depending on the season and the model, the possibilities for using a pool cover are vast. Such as:
- To keep the swimming pool clean and retain dirt, waste, and dust.
- To avoid evaporation and the formation of algae by the phenomenon of photosynthesis. ● To secure the swimming pool by preventing people or pets from falling into the water. Thus, it reduces the risk of drowning.
- Keep water at the correct temperature.
What Are the Different Types of Pool Covers, and What Are Their Prices?
Electric Pool Cover
The price of an electric pool cover varies according to the models, the materials used, the choice of finishes, etc. Count, on average, between $8,000 and $15,000 to equip yourself with an electric pool cover.
Summer Cover
The summer cover is the most recommended model for covering a swimming pool during the busy season. It is characterized by bubbles operating in the same way as a suction cup. This is why it is also called ” bubble cover. ” Used as an isothermal cover, its primary role is to heat the pool water by a few degrees and prevent heat loss at night.
A pool bubble cover is between $80 and $300, or around $5 per m².
Safety Cover
The swimming pool safety cover is a safety device used as a barrier or a swimming pool shelter. Indeed, it aims to prevent the risk of falls or drowning of children and pets in the pool. The cover also ensures the protection of the water against the dirt as well as the maintenance of the temperature. Very essential for inground pools, this type of cover requires the intervention of professional pool designers for installation.
Costs between $40 and $2,000.
Winter Cover
The winter cover is installed above the pool throughout the winter. It preserves the water in the swimming pool, reduces the risk of freezing, and protects the components of the swimming pool from the cold.
Prices for winter pool covers start from $80 but can go up to $400, depending on the size and quality of the cover (around $€9/m²).
Net Tarpaulin
The swimming pool net cover has the characteristic of being non-opaque. Therefore, it is not waterproof and cannot retain small dirt brought by the wind. It is generally used in the summer to prevent large debris such as leaves, branches, plant debris, and insects from falling into the pool water.
Net covers are available for purchase from $15 to $80 or around $3 to $5/m², depending on the fabric’s quality and size.
Solar Cover
The solar cover is only used in the high season, like the summer cover. Its role is to increase the temperature of the water during the day and to keep it at night. This ensures faster accessible bathing. This type of cover is also used to retain impurities of all kinds but can in no way be used as a safety element.
Its cost is estimated in the same range as models with nets: $20 to $80 or around $3 to $5 m².
How Much Does a Pool Cover Cost Depending on the Material of the Cover?
The price of a swimming pool cover changes according to the material from which the pool cover is made. HDPE (high-density polyethene) and PVC ( polyvinyl chloride) are the most widely used materials.
The HDPE tarpaulin has the quality to resist any external constraints. Thick and solid, it offers a long lifespan of approximately 2 years. Light and waterproof, it is easy to handle and suitable for above-ground and in-ground pools.
This type of cover offers excellent value for money. It generally costs between $40 and $400 or $3 to $5 per m².
The PVC swimming pool cover also has the advantage of being unalterable in the face of climatic variations and aggressive products. Its lifespan is much higher since it can be used for up to 10 years. Therefore, it requires a more significant investment than polyethene tarpaulin.
The price of a PVC swimming pool cover per m² is estimated at around $70 to $800 for standard sizes.
How to Choose a Pool Cover?
Finding out about the price of a swimming pool cover is undoubtedly an essential step before buying a particular model; however, to make the right choice, it is necessary to take the following criteria into account:
- Shape and dimensions: classic pool covers can adapt to each form and size of the swimming pool. In this case, the idea is to measure the pool to be covered and think about adding the desired length for the flaps. These must be sufficient enough to allow easy fixing. If the pool is of a particular shape, it is advisable to have a cover made to measure.
- Strength and thickness: these two criteria go hand in hand when choosing a pool cover. It all depends on the design material. The goal is to opt for a product that can withstand all tests (sunlight, chlorine products, dirt, and stormy weather) and will last over time. The use also determines the choice. Thus, the preferred material will not be the same for a safety cover and a simple summer cover.
- Compliance with legal safety standards: if the cover will be used to secure the swimming pool, it is essential to check whether it meets the requirements of standard NF 90-308. This rule provides users with information about safety covers and their hanging devices.
- The finish: the presence of hems, reinforcements, and eyelets is particularly essential for a good fixing of the cover around the pool. Some models work with fastening bands, while others use tensioners.
Cost of a Custom Pool Cover?
To effectively cover a swimming pool with a less common shape, it is recommended to buy from a well-known brand to get a custom cover made. This makes it possible to have a perfectly adapted cover for the swimming pool. The owner will also ensure that the product will perform its functions perfectly, whether winterizing the pool, securing it, or maintaining the water temperature.
However, the price of custom-made pool covers is challenging to estimate. It is calculated per m² and is variable according to the following criteria:
- Raw materials
- The complexity of the shape of the pool ● The finish and the fixing desired.
