When planning a swimming pool, some of the biggest decisions are the ones you barely notice once the pool is finished. A good pool cover is one of them.
Whether incorporated into the design of a new pool or added later as an upgrade, the right cover can make a significant difference to how efficiently and easily a pool operates. From retaining heat and reducing evaporation to protecting the water and simplifying everyday pool ownership, it is an element worth thinking about much earlier than many people do.
And while the requirements of indoor and outdoor pools can be very different, both can benefit considerably from a well-chosen cover.
Why does a swimming pool need a cover?
One of the biggest reasons is evaporation. For outdoor pools in particular, approximately 70% of heat loss occurs through evaporation, while even a basic bubble cover can prevent more than 90% of this form of heat loss.
Indoor pools aren't exposed to the same weather conditions, but reducing evaporation remains important. Covering the water when the pool isn't in use can help retain heat, reduce moisture entering the pool hall and support a more efficiently managed environment.
Depending on the pool and cover chosen, benefits can include reduced heat loss and energy consumption, lower water and chemical requirements, protection from debris and a pool that's simply easier to manage.
So, which cover is right for your pool?
GeoBubble: a practical choice for outdoor pools
For many outdoor pools, a GeoBubble solar cover provides a simple and effective way to retain heat and reduce evaporation.
Its distinctive bubble design has been developed to improve durability and insulation, with increased resilience against UV exposure and chemical attack. The technology can increase the expected lifespan of bubble-cover material by up to 25%.
It's a practical upgrade for an existing outdoor pool and equally worth considering from the outset of a new installation.
Sol+Guard: making more of the sun
For outdoor pools where solar gain is a priority, Sol+Guard combines heat retention with the ability to make better use of energy from the sun.
Its highly transparent, 500-micron material allows solar energy to enter the pool while helping to retain heat and reduce water loss. In the right conditions, it can increase pool water temperature by up to 8°C through solar gain.
For pools that benefit from good levels of sunlight, it's an effective way to make naturally available energy work harder.
Easycover: automatic convenience
For pool owners looking for greater convenience, Easycover makes covering and uncovering the pool quick and straightforward.
Suitable for both new and existing pools, Easy Cover Basic provides an electronically operated automatic slatted cover, while Easy Cover Solar offers a solar-powered alternative without the need for electrical cabling to the unit.
This makes Easycover particularly appealing where the ease of an automatic system is wanted without the need to completely rethink an existing pool.
Roldeck: when the cover becomes part of the pool
For a more integrated automatic solution, Roldeck offers slatted cover systems for both indoor and outdoor pools.
A variety of installation options means the cover can be incorporated into the design of a new pool or fitted retrospectively to an existing one. When considered at the design stage, the mechanism can be integrated particularly discreetly into the pool and its surrounding finishes.
Roldeck automatic slatted covers can provide energy savings of up to 70% by significantly reducing evaporation and associated heating requirements. For indoor pools, this can also help reduce moisture entering the pool hall, while solar slat options can transfer heat from sunlight into outdoor pool water.
Don't forget about winter
For outdoor pools that are closed during the colder months, a Winter Debris Cover provides a different type of protection.
Designed to keep debris out while allowing rainwater to pass through, these covers can be made to suit almost any pool size or shape, including steps, ladders and other individual features.
A good winter cover helps protect the pool while it's out of regular use and can make reopening it in spring much easier.
New pool or existing pool?
If you're designing a new swimming pool, considering the cover early gives you more choice. An automatic system can potentially be incorporated into the pool structure itself, while the cover can be considered alongside heating, filtration and the wider pool design.
But an existing pool can benefit just as much from the right upgrade. That could mean replacing an older solar cover, introducing an automatic system or adding dedicated winter protection to an outdoor pool.
The right solution ultimately depends on whether your pool is indoors or outdoors, how you use it and what you want your cover to achieve.
A small consideration that can make a big difference
A swimming pool is a significant investment, and the right cover can help you get more from it. By retaining heat, reducing evaporation and making the pool easier to manage, it can improve both efficiency and everyday ownership.
For outdoor pools, the right cover can also make use of solar energy or provide protection through the winter months. For indoor pools, controlling heat loss and evaporation can contribute to a more efficiently managed pool environment.
Whether you're planning a completely new pool or looking to improve an existing one, Penguin Leisure Construction can help you choose the right cover and the best way to incorporate it.
Get in touch with the Penguin team to discuss the options available for your pool.