Are Pool Covers Really Worth It and How Do They Work?

There are so many options to choose from when building and then maintaining your pool, and one option you might not think about at first is a pool cover. After all, simply building your pool can come with a hefty price tag, and then the year-after-year expenses associated with maintaining your pool or from hiring a pool maintenance company can add even more expenses to your budget. So, is a pool cover even necessary? Great question. We’ve got some answers for you!

How do pool covers work and what are your options?


A pool cover does exactly what its name suggests: It completely covers your pool. Depending on which type you choose, a pool cover can help keep dirt and debris out of your pool (reducing cleaning time and chemical and maintenance costs), help conserve water and reduce evaporation (saving you money on your water bill), reduce chemical use (saving you more money), can help to retain heat (saving money on energy costs), and some covers can even offer an added measure of safety to protect against drowning, which is a huge concern if you have small pets or children enjoying your pool. Let’s dive into all the pool cover options so you can better understand if a pool cover is right for you and which type of pool cover will best meet your needs.

Mesh Cover

  • Simple installation process.
  • Made of a mesh material.
  • Can be stretched to fit basically any pool; however, a custom fit mesh cover will offer the most benefits.
  • Helps to prevent any standing water issues.
  • Decreases the amount of sunlight that hits your pool surface, although some algae can still grow since some sunlight can still hit your pool through the mesh.
  • Easy to fold and store.
  • Some dirt and debris can still enter your pool through the mesh, although it’s easy to remove any debris with a yard blower.
  • Can last for years.
  • Strong enough to help prevent drownings.
  • Best option for off-season pool covering needs.

Solid Cover

  • Must be custom fit to your pool.
  • Made of a solid material.
  • Pretty easy to install and store.
  • Can block dirt and debris from your pool completely.
  • Standing water can be an issue.
  • Can help reduce algae growth since sunlight is completely blocked.
  • Can help prevent heat loss.
  • Strong enough to help prevent drownings.

Automatic Cover

  • Must be custom fit to your pool.
  • Made of a solid material.
  • Pretty easy to install and store.
  • The most expensive option.
  • Can help prevent drownings.
  • Helps to prevent heat loss.
  • Keep dirt and debris out of your pool.
  • Standing water can be an issue.
  • Since automatic pool covers are retractable and fold onto themselves, there’s no need to remove and store them.
  • Reduces evaporation.
  • Easiest to install on rectangular pools, although it can be fit to a shaped pool.

Solar Cover

  • Must be custom fit to your pool.
  • Most basic pool cover option.
  • Simple installation.
  • Easy removal and storage.
  • Made from a bubble material.
  • The most budget-friendly option.
  • Does not provide any safety as it cannot hold the weight of children or small pets.
  • Acts as a solar blanket to help keep your pool water warmer, conserve water, and reduce the evaporation of pool chemicals.
  • Blocks dirt and debris.
  • Standing water can be an issue.
  • Shortest life span of the pool cover options.

Water Bag Cover

  • Must be custom fit to your pool.
  • Mesh or solid material options.
  • Secured with heavy bags full of water that sit around the edges of your pool.
  • Lower cost option that lasts between 1-3 years.
  • Helps to keep dirt and debris out of your pool.
  • Can protect your pool from colder temperatures.
  • Not as safe or effective as some other options.

Are pool covers worth it?

The answer to this question depends on your budget, why you want a pool cover in the first place, which type of pool cover you choose, and the size and shape of your pool. If safety is your prime concern, any pool cover—with the exception of a solar or water bag cover—can offer that added peace of mind. If you’re wanting a cover to reduce the expenses and maintenance time associated with a pool, then a cover can be a long-term way to achieve this goal. We’re happy to help you decide if and which cover will best meet your needs and overall goal, so contact us for all your pool cover, pool design, and pool maintenance needs. We’re here to serve you now and into the future!

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