The Best Winter Pool Cover Options for Inground Gunite Pools

When your pool is out of use during the cold winter months, securing it with a pool cover is an important way to keep debris out of the water (which will facilitate an easier opening in the spring) and reduce the risk of kids or pets falling into the pool. However, there are many different types of pool covers to choose from, and the right one for your pool will depend on a variety of factors. To help guide your decision, here is an overview of the best winter pool cover options for inground gunite pools:

• Safety covers. Designed with the main purpose of preventing people and animals from falling into the pool, safety covers anchor around the edges of the pool and are pulled taut over the water. Due to their strength and durability, they’re also great at supporting weight—such as a heavy snowfall—and keeping debris out of the pool.
• Standard tarp-style covers. Typically made from polyethylene materials like a tarp and held in place by water tubes, these covers are effective at keeping debris out of the pool and blocking UV rays, which will help inhibit the growth of algae during the winter months. However, they are not designed to be safety covers, which may be an important consideration if you have young children or pets.
• Automatic covers. As the priciest option on the list, automatic covers sit very close to the top of the water and can easily be deployed at any time using an automated mechanism. They are typically designed to meet ASTM Safety Standards, making them a great way to improve pool safety all year long. While they also help keep debris out of the pool, automatic covers should not be used on their own during the winter in the Northeast—they must be paired with a winter cover in order to protect your pool from snow and frigid temperatures.

While solar covers are a great way to retain heat in your pool during swimming season, they should not be used as winter covers as they’re not designed to handle the weight of snow and other debris.

Wondering about the best option to secure your pool during the winter months? The experts at Aqua Pool & Patio can make recommendations for winter covers and provide other tips to ensure a smooth opening in the spring. Give us a call today at (860) 623-9886!