SOLAR COVERS: BUYER’S GUIDE & FAQ

At PoolSupplies.com, we offer a variety of solar covers in different styles, sizes and colors to meet your needs. We have categorized the covers into different ‘series’ which are categorized by a good, better, and best ranking system. Varying from 800 to 1600, these covers become thicker the higher the series is.

Beginning with our “good” ranking we offer the 800 series solar covers. This series is an effective and affordable way to heat your pool while conserving energy. Although it is the thinnest cover we offer, it still prevents the need for electricity and protects your pool while minimizing evaporation.

The 1200 series is thicker than the 800 series and is considered our “better” style of covers. Using UV light to heat the water below, this cover will create and hold heat better than our 800 series.

The 1600 series are considered the highest quality covers that we sell. While it is ranked best amongst the list of the covers explained above that also means it is the highest in price as well. Rated the best overall for longevity, heat retention and heat production, this cover will have the biggest impact on heating your pool.

Shape: Any cover with diamond-shaped bubbles will be better at creating and maintaining heat because of the minimal space between the bubbles. [Shop All Solar Covers]

Just as the quality of your cover depends on the series and bubbles, the color of the solar cover you purchase does matter.

Clear solar covers may absorb the least amount of heat but it does increase the heat of your pool water since it allows more light energy to pass through. The clear covers can degrade faster due to the implication of chlorine levels. The pool may heat faster but you’ll have to manage your pool’s water chemistry more frequently.

The blue solar covers are stronger than our clear covers. It is the original color of solar covers and is more effective when it comes to trapping heat and conserving chemicals. However, they do not heat water as quickly as the clear covers but they do block more heat energy.

Lastly, the silver solar covers are the best choice when it comes to heat retention. The particular silver colors that we stock have two colors. The blue side that will face the sun absorbs heat for the water. The silver side traps in the heat by reflecting heat energy back towards the water. Passive solar heating can raise your pool temperature by an average of 5-10 degrees.

For more information about different solar cover colors, visit our blog, Comparing Solar Cover Colors. [Shop All Solar Covers]

Our solar covers come with a few inches of overlap in order to allow you to trim your cover to your pool’s size and shape. You may have accessories such as ladders and waterfalls that are attached to your pool creating obstacles for your liner.

Before you trim your cover, let it rest on a flat surface such as a deck or level backyard to work out any creases and wrinkles. After this step, you will want to secure the edges of the cover tautly so it does not move during the cut. You may want to use bricks or other heavy objects that you own. Use scissors or a sharp razor to carefully cut off the excess material. Begin with cutting off less than you would like to trim since you can always take off more later.

Please note that trimming your cover does not void your warranty.

For more detailed guidance, visit our blog, How to Properly Fit Your Solar Cover on Your Swimming Pool. [Shop All Solar Covers]