How to Select a Safety Cover

Getting the right Safety Cover for your pool is VERY IMPORTANT. It will ensure the longest life for your Cover, and full warranty coverage as well. When choosing your Safety Cover, consider the following factors to ensure you get the right Cover, that fits correctly and will last for many years to come.

First - Do you need a stock or custom size safety cover?

Safety Covers come in all shapes and sizes. The most popular are commonly referred to as "standard" or "stock" - meaning that Cover manufacturers produce these Safety Covers in advance, and make them available to us before the start of Cover season. SPP carries the largest selection of stock domestic Safety Covers in America, which means we can help more pool owners find a quality stock Safety Cover that fits your pool and can save you time & money. The fact is the vast majority of our customers' pools can utilize a stock Safety Cover. But don't worry - we make custom covers for many pool owners as well. there are two reasons why you may need a "custom" or "non-stock" Safety Cover for your pool:

• If your pool's shape and/or dimensions are uncommon (usually for very large or freeform pools)
• If your pool has large permanent objects (steps, slides, diving boards, spas) in close proximity to the pool's edge. These require custom alterations called "cut-outs" to be built into your Safety Cover to ensure the proper fit and full warranty coverage.

To check if your pool can use a stock Safety Cover, use our EZ Order feature. Simply click on your pool's shape and dimensions, answer the easy questions and select your Cover! And if you do need a custom Safety Cover, don't worry - we can help! Get a Quick Quote online or call us at 1-800-983-7665. We would be happy to speak with you over the phone to determine exactly what you need.

Next, you'll need to determine what material your pool, situation and preferences require.

Second - Which type of material is best for your situation?

The material that your Safety Cover is made from is just as important as ensuring it is the correct size. The first choice you need to make is between mesh and solid material.

Mesh Material - Mesh material is generally lighter and easier to handle than solid material. This means an easier time getting the Safety Cover on and off your pool. Mesh material will also allow water from rain and melting snow to pass through the cover into the pool. In addition, mesh material is generally less expensive than solid material. Mesh material is available in Standard or tighter weave options:

• Standard Mesh - Traditionally, the best selling material in the industry. This is an "open-weave" material that allows water and/or snow melt to permeate into the pool. It is approximately 92% shaded - meaning that only about 8% of natural sunlight is allowed to enter through the Cover. It is made of a 2-ply material that resists rot, mildew, sunlight and chemical degradation. Typical colors are Green, Blue, Black, Tan and Grey, with Green far outselling the others combined. We offer stock standard mesh covers from HPI, GLI, Loop-Loc, Meyco, Merlin, The Cover Company and Plastimayd. Being a mesh cover, some silt, dirt, and algae* may get into your pool through the cover, but it's not a big deal to get rid of it in the spring. A good shock treatment and a little vacuuming will do the trick.
• Tighter Weave Mesh - This is starting to become one of our more popular Cover materials. It offers around "99% shade" factor. This tighter weave is made in a "fibulated" or twisted fashion. We sell this material under the trade name(s) "ProMesh", "Rugged Mesh", "SmartMesh", "BlocMesh99" and "UltraMayd". Generally, this tighter mesh is better than a standard mesh. However, it should be noted that water drainage into your pool from the top of the Cover is dramatically slower. This means that standing water takes longer to drain into your pool. If you want a "fast drain" type cover, you want the standard mesh, not this type. However, this tighter weave cuts down on algae growth* from the sun. By taking longer for the water to drain, it is essentially filtering out more dirt, leaves and other debris, so your pool water will be somewhat cleaner in the spring than what you would typically get with standard mesh material. Colors are available in Green, Blue or Grey.

*NOTE: When using a mesh Safety Cover, algae growth can be prevented with use of a Keeper Kleen.

Solid Material - Solid material's big advantage is that it will prevent sunlight and fine particles from entering the pool. This helps keep the pool clean over the winter by preventing dirt and algae accumulation. With a Cover made from solid material, water is kept off the Cover either through use of a drain panel (mesh panel built into the cover) or a cover pump. Solid material is available in traditional weight and lightweight options:

• Traditional Weight Solid Vinyl - This was the first solid material in the industry. It is made from a tough, long-lasting vinyl laminated Polyester fabric. We sell this material in a completely solid Cover (that requires a special pump to displace the accumulated water) or with a drain panel that allows water to drain into the pool. Essentially, this cover will eliminate 100% of sunlight. Our best-selling cover pump is available for an additional $179.99. Obviously, if a drain is integrated into the Cover, some sunlight may get through (albeit very little). In the spring, your pool water should be clear with the solid vinyl cover. Solid vinyl Safety Covers are heavier than the mesh type. This is a disadvantage, as two or more people are needed to put it on and take it off. If you open your pool in the late spring, have large amounts of leaves and debris, this may be best for you. Colors available are Green or Blue.
• Lightweight Solid Material - This material is usually about 30% lighter than what's used for traditional weight solid Safety Covers. These Covers are typically PVC coated polyester fabric materials that are stronger than typical vinyl Covers and are easier to put on and take off. We sell these Covers under the trade name (s) "Hyper-Lite", "PermaGuard" and "Loc-Solid". Like the regular heavier solid Covers, these are available in a "completely solid" model (requiring a cover pump to remove standing water & snowmelt) or with a drain panel. We offer a standard drain model, a "Kleen Screen" drain model that filters out particulates as the water drains into the pool or a "Sure-Flo" full-length drain. They all work. A newer type of solid Safety Cover is our AquaMaster "Sure-Drain". This unique lightweight material is slightly heavier than the mesh material but lighter than any other solid Cover material. Its strength-to-weight ratio is impressive. Testing apparatus has rated this material superior in strength-to-weight ratios. Our "Sure-Drain" solid Cover has 2 drain Panels. They are placed into your "cover grid" by computer design. In a nutshell, water will always drain quickly, keeping your pool Cover safe for pets and children. Colors available are Green or Blue.

Third - What spacing is best for your situation?

You'll need to choose between either 5'x5' or 3'x3' spacing:

5x5 Spacing - With 5'x5' spacing, straps are placed approximately every 4-6 feet. This may be an option for smaller pools, certain shaped pools or if you live in an area where there is little or no snow during the winter.

3x3 Spacing - 3'x3' spacing means straps are placed approximately 2.5-3.5 feet apart. This provides greater strength than with 5'x5' spacing, and is necessary for larger pools and in areas that receive heavy snowfall.

Finally you'll need to compare specific covers, brands and warranties. No matter which Safety Cover you choose, make sure it includes the following features:

- Meets or exceeds ASTM Standards
- Strap Webbing on both top and bottom
- At least triple (if not quadruple) stitching
- Top quality hardware
- Comprehensive Warranty

With these conditions met, you'll be sure to select a Cover that fits your pool and all of your needs. The only thing left to do is choose your color! We recommend Green as it is the most readily available and goes well with natural surroundings.

SAFETY COVERS FOR POOLS W/ STEP EXTENSIONS

If you have a walk-in step extension on the end or side of your pool, you MUST purchase a Safety Cover that is specially made for that application. DO NOT purchase a larger rectangular Safety Cover without the built-in step extension because your Cover WILL FAIL. For instance: If your pool is an 18' x 36' rectangle with a 4' end step, you need an 18' x 36' Safety Cover with a step extension. You CANNOT buy an 18' x 40' standard rectangle for this pool. Yes, the price is a little less than getting one specially-made with the step extension, but your Cover will fail.

Why? Because Safety Covers with step extensions have special vinyl pads that are sewn into the mesh or solid material in strategic locations where the step is located. These are high-stress points. As you get the weight of the winter ice and snow on the Cover, these pads prevent it from ripping. Also, on most Safety Covers there is a rubber wear strip sewn into the binding around the pool perimeter. These rub strips extend about 18-24" from the Cover edge, protecting the coping on your pool from wearing through the Safety Cover. In a nutshell, if you have questions, CALL US before you make the purchase. We are the experts on Safety Covers.

How to Select a Safety Cover - Compare Warranties Between Covers - Installation Instructions
Safety Cover Spacing - Measuring Form for Extra-Large & Free-Form Pools - On-Ground Covers
Information Package Request Form - Have a Step Extension? - Fox & Kafko Pool Owners
Read About Safety Covers - Measuring & Installation Service