Pool owners should consider their needs and wants so they are able to decide if a mesh or a solid safety pool cover in Lafayette is the right one for them.
Mesh and solid safety pool covers are both installed and stretched tightly over swimming pools. Since both types have advantages, you will want to know about each type, so you can make the best decision for your pool, your family, and your budget.
Both pool cover types have advantages that pool owners can benefit from. But if you are looking for a solid pool cover which offers more protection, safety pool covers should be it.
- Mesh pool covers
Mesh pool covers are usually cheaper than solid pool covers, with a price range of $200 to $600. Typically, they last longer than solid vinyl tarps – mesh pool covers have an average lifespan of 10 to 15 years, while vinyl usually last from 7 to 11 years.
Mesh covers are made with netted panels that keep fallen leaves, twigs, branches and other debris out of the pool. It can also bar people and pets from falling into the pool. Rainwater does not accumulate on the mesh cover as it passes right through it, and this saves on filling up the pool in time for the swimming season. You don’t also need to use a cover pump to suck the water off of the surface of the cover.
But dust, soot and other tiny particles can enter through the mesh pool cover, which means dirtier and murkier water in the long run. Also, sunlight can also penetrate through the cover, and algae will grow and thrive on the pool walls. And since sunlight can enter through the mesh cover, evaporation will cause the pool water levels to decrease.
Mesh covers are typically sold as “once a year covers”, as they are to be put on for the winter months and taken off for the summer swim season. These covers are difficult to put on the pool and are not meant to be used daily, like the solid vinyl covers.
- Solid safety pool covers
The biggest advantage that solid safety pool covers have over mesh pool covers is the excellent security it offers. Solid pool covers are made up of more durable materials. Unlike mesh covers that are usually held down by water tubes or water bags, solid safety pool covers are held down securely by hooks. In choosing a safety pool cover, it is necessary to take note that they should comply with the ASTM pool cover safety standards regarding how much weight they would be able to hold. In general, a safety pool cover should be able to hold a weight that is equivalent to the weight of two adults and one child as to allow a rescue operation.
Another big advantage of solid safety pool covers over mesh covers is the fact that it blocks sunlight. A solid pool cover will prevent the water vapors from drifting out and into the air, instead turning them into moisture which will go back into the pool. This helps in maintaining your pool’s water levels. This is useful especially during the warmer months where the heat will cause uncovered swimming pools to lose water through evaporation. If you are trying to conserve water, it is necessary to cover your swimming pool with a solid safety pool cover when not in use.
Since a solid safety pool cover doesn’t allow sunlight to pass through, there’s little chance for algae to grow on the walls. This explains why pool owners who use mesh covers tend to open their pools a little earlier than those who use solid pool covers.
Mesh pool covers may effectively prevent bigger debris like fallen leaves and branches, but not dust, soot and other tiny particles. Solid pool covers, on the other hand, do a better job of keeping the water clean by blocking out almost all sorts of dirt and debris.
A solid pool cover also saves you from spending more on certain chemicals which are used in cleaning the pool water. When the pool is covered, treated water doesn’t evaporate, so it will remain clean for longer periods.
But owning a solid safety pool cover also comes with a couple of disadvantages. Rainwater will likely accumulate on the pool cover’s surface and will become stagnant if it isn’t pumped off. Pumps can be an expense you didn’t initially consider, but they can cost around $100-$200 depending on the model. They are, however, the quickest way of removing water that’s collected on the pool cover’s surface.
if you are looking for the utmost in pool protection and security for your family, then you will want to consider a solid safety pool cover for your Lafayette pool.
