Solid Vinyl versus Mesh Inground Winter Pool Covers: Which is Better?

 

Solid Vinyl versus Mesh Inground Winter Pool Covers: Which is Better?

During this time of the year when pool owners are sadly at the end of the swimming season, the topic of pool covers is one that is often discussed, with many pool owners electing to upgrade from their standard ‘tarp' style winter cover to a stronger, more permanent ‘security' style swimming pool cover. This desire to upgrade is very understandable considering tarp covers are poor winter covers, requiring a pump on top to keep any water off and only last 1-3 years before they need to be replaced. Once someone has decided to go with an upgraded winter cover, the question then turns to whether a solid or mesh cover will suit their needs the best. The following is a list of the advantages and disadvantages of each type of security-style winter pool cover:

Mesh Cover Advantages:

                -Mesh covers typically cost less than a solid vinyl pool cover. In most cases, the price difference between the two is $200-$600.

                -Mesh covers typically last longer than vinyl covers. I've found the average lifespan for a mesh cover to be 10-15 years whereas a solid cover will typically last 7-11 years.

                -Mesh covers do not need a pump on top because they just let the pool water pass through. This is nice because the submersible pumps used with solid vinyl covers usually only last about 2-4 years before they break down. These pumps can be rather costly, often times around $200-$250 each.

                -Because a pump is needed with a solid winter cover, mesh covers generally require no work during the offseason.

                -With their light-weight material, mesh covers can be taken on and off by one person in most cases, unlike solid covers which generally require at least two persons to take on and off.

 

Solid Cover Advantages:

                -The main advantage to a solid vinyl winter pool cover is the fact that it does not allow sunlight to pass through. This is important because in the Spring when the pool water starts to warm up, algae will grow on the walls if it has contact (as it does with a mesh cover) to sunlight. This is also why people with mesh security covers tend to open up their pools a little earlier (before it gets too warm) than those with solid covers.

                -Along with keeping sunlight out, solid vinyl covers keep water out of the pool as well. For example, when leaves fall on your pool cover during the winter and it rains, the leaves will cause the rain water to become very dirty. With a mesh cover, the dirty water will just pass right on through to the pool water, whereas with a solid cover it will be kept out, allowing the pool water to stay much cleaner. This cleaner water usually leads to very little brushing, vacuuming, chemicals, etc in the Spring to get the pool swimmable, unlike a mesh covered pool which will likely need a few days of vacuuming , brushing, and filtering before it is ready for the new season.

 

So there you have the advantages and the disadvantages to the two main types of pool security/winter covers. Knowing the benefits of each, cover manufacturers like Loop Loc and others have now begun to produce hybrid style covers that share some of the best features of each. For example, Loop Loc makes a cover that is solid vinyl with a small mesh opening in the middle. With such a design, this cover now prevents most sunlight from passing through to the water but it also does not have the need for a submersible pump on top.

Further questions or comments regarding pool covers? Just leave a comment below and as always, don't forget to subscribe to our blog to receive all the latest news, tips, and information for swimming pool owners.

Marcus Sheridan

http://www.poolschool.us/

Solar Covers for Swimming Pools: Prices, Usage, and Longevity

Swimming Pool Solar Covers: Prices, Usage, and Longevity

By Marcus Sheridan, www.PoolSchool.us

Construction:

A swimming pool solar cover is a thin plastic blanket that floats on a pool's water surface and has the appearance of bubble wrap. Typically they come available in navy blue, black, and forest green colors and are cut to conform to the shape of the pool.

Do they work?

Despite what one might think, solar covers usually work very well. In most cases, they will warm the pool water temperature 4-8 degrees. Although this may not sound like much, it makes a huge difference in terms of the comfort level of the water temperature. This is also why in many climates pool owners only use their solar cover at the beginning and end of the season, as the cover can cause the pool to get too hot during the heat of the summer.

Is a reel necessary?

Absolutely. In fact, I won't even sell a solar cover without a reel because they are just too big and cumbersome without one. I've seen many cases where a person bought a solar cover without a reel and after trying to take the cover off the first time they simply stored the cover away because they felt it was too much work. This is why having a reel that allows the cover to roll right up without any mess or hassle is imperative. These reels typically come with casters so that they can be removed during the hot part of the season when the cover is not in use.

How long do solar covers last?

Solar covers do not last very long at all, especially the cheaper one. I have found that a solar cover with a 6-year warranty will last only one season, an 8-year warranty cover will last about two seasons, and a 10-year warranty cover will last about 3 seasons. Now you may be asking how this is possible. The answer is that all solar cover warranties are quite prorated and are worth very little after the first season. Most solar cover reels last 4-8 years.

How much do they cost?

The price range of most solar covers is $75-$225. As you can imagine, this price varies based on the quality of the cover and the size of the pool. The main expense when buying a solar cover though is the reel, which in most cases will be in the $200-$500 range.

Do they keep debris out?

Although solar covers do help keep some debris out of the pool, I would not suggest buying one with the hopes that it will greatly lessen maintenance. The amount of vacuuming or leaf skimming one has will not be greatly impacted with a solar cover.

So there's your quick 101 on swimming pool solar covers and as always, don't forget to subscribe to our blog in the upper right hand corner of this page so as to always be updated on news and tips for the swimming pool industry.

Fiberglass Pool Prices: How Much is My Pool Really Going to Cost?

How much does a fiberglass pool cost?  ....or......What's the price of a fiberglass pool?

This, of course, is always one of the first questions a pool shopper has when starting the research process for a fiberglass pool. The problem with answering this question, though, is the fact that a swimming pool has so many options it can be very tough for one to truly know what the price to swim in a fiberglass pool will be. Notwithstanding, I'll do my best here to give you some realistic price ranges as to what most people will spend. (And remember, these prices are AVERAGE, and can vary drastically depending on the product, the region, the company, etc, etc)

Just the Shell

Occasionally I'll have a customer that just wants to buy the fiberglass shell. Although there are many more costs involved with a fiberglass pool installation, there are people out there that want to do everything and buy every single component individually. Therefore, the expected price range is as follows(Keep in mind these price ranges do not include shipping, filter system, etc:

Small Fiberglass Pool Shell(26' in length or less): $10,000-$17,000

Medium Fiberglass Pool Shell(27'-34' in length): $13,000-$18,000

Large Fiberglass Pool Shell(35' or more in length): $15,000-$25,000

Basic Install:

This typically includes: Shell, shipping, pump/filter system, excavation, backfill, pool full water

Most pools, not including other options, will have a price range of $20,000-$38,000. (This, like everything else mentioned in this article, is contingent on a variety of factors)

Basic Install plus Concrete:

This includes everything mentioned in the basic install plus the concrete patio(Most concrete patios range from 400-800 square feet around a swimming pool)

Typical Price Range: $23,000-$50,000

Turn Key:

This includes everything found in Basic install w/concrete, but it also includes fencing and electrical costs.

Typical Price Range: $28,000-$60,000

Prices For Other Options:

Automatic Pool Covers: Prices usually run between $5000-$13,000 for most autocovers

Salt Chorine Generators: Salt systems usually cost between $1,000-$2500

Pool Security Covers: Prices for Security Covers range from $1000-$3000 in most cases

Heat Pumps: Most heat pumps cost between $3500-$6000, plus additional cost for electrical hook up

Waterline/Perimeter Tile: Most pool dealers charge between $1000-$3000 to tile a fiberglass swimming pool

Retaining Walls: Retaining walls can get very expensive, and depending on the size can obviously vary a huge degree. Most walls cost $5000-$15,000.

Water Features: The price of pool water features vary drastically, especially when it comes to custom waterfalls.

Pool Lights: Most pool lights cost between $500-$1500

Although all of these numbers and prices are very general, I do hope this article helps you to have a better feel for fiberglass pool pricing and what to expect when you start going through the pool buying process.

If you would like to receive a quote for your inground swimming pool, and you live anywhere in the US or Canada, just click this photo to receive contacts from builders in your local area today!

 

Marcus Sheridan, www.PoolSchool.us

Read our groundbreaking article: 5 Fiberglass Pool Problems and Solutions

 

 

How to take off your Swimming Pool's Security Cover!