Types of Pool Covers

Most homeowners assume any cover stretched across a pool makes it safe. It doesn’t. That misconception is exactly why drownings still happen around covered pools. A solar blanket is not a safety cover. A winter tarp is not a safety cover. Even automatic covers only qualify in certain conditions.

This guide cuts through the confusion and breaks down the core swimming pool cover types, what each is designed for, and the safety implications most people overlook. No brands, no gimmicks — just clarity.

By the end, you’ll know exactly which pool cover type fits your pool, climate, and safety requirements, and why the wrong category can increase risk rather than reduce it.

Why the Type of Pool Cover Matters More Than the Price Tag

Price tells you nothing about performance.
You need to decide what problem you’re solving:

• Preventing drowning? You need a safety-rated cover.
• Reducing evaporation? You need a solar cover or automatic cover.
• Keeping leaves out? You need mesh or winter-style protection.
• Winterizing the pool? You need mesh or solid safety covers—not an automatic cover alone.

Homeowners often buy a cover thinking it “does everything.”
It doesn’t. Every pool cover type has a specific purpose and a set of limitations. A tarp that keeps out leaves is not the same thing as a tensioned, ASTM F1346–certified barrier that prevents accidents.

The 5 Core Types of Pool Covers (Simple Overview)

Here’s the quick diagram version before we go deep:

• Mesh Safety Covers — Safety barrier + drainage + debris control
• Solid Safety Covers — Safety + complete sunlight blockage
• Automatic Pool Covers — Convenience + heat retention + some safety
• Winter / Tarp-Style Covers — Seasonal debris protection only
• Solar Covers (Bubble Covers) — Heat retention + evaporation control

These are the universal categories across the pool industry, regardless of brand or design.

1. Mesh Safety Covers (ASTM-Rated Safety)

Purpose: Prevent drowning + manage debris + allow drainage
Best for: Inground pools, homes with kids or pets, snowy climates

Mesh safety covers use a tensioned anchor system drilled into the deck. When secured, the cover becomes a weight-bearing safety barrier — designed to support the load of children, pets, and adults in emergency scenarios.

How They Work

• Porous mesh allows rain/snowmelt to drain through
• Zero standing water hazard
• Tension system distributes weight across stainless-steel springs
• UV-resistant fabric lasts 10–15 years when maintained

Advantages

• High safety rating (ASTM F1346 compliant)
• Perfect for winter closings
• No pump required (water does not collect on top
• Lighter and easier to store than solid covers

Limitations

• Fine silt can enter the pool
• Some sunlight penetration → algae risk in warm, humid climates

2. Solid Safety Covers (ASTM-Rated Safety)

Purpose: Safety + total barrier against sunlight and contaminants
Best for: Heavy debris regions, homeowners who want clean water at opening

Solid safety covers work like mesh covers but use impermeable vinyl or reinforced PVC instead of porous mesh. They block all sunlight, dramatically reducing algae formation.

How They Work

• Tensioned anchor system like a mesh cover
• Blocks 100% of UV light
• Requires a cover pump to remove rainwater

Advantages

• Maximum algae prevention
• Superior debris control
• Highest level of water clarity at opening

Limitations

• Heavier and harder to handle
• Pumping water off the surface is mandatory

3. Automatic Pool Covers (Convenience + Some Safety)

Purpose: Daily-use safety + energy conservation + evaporation control
Best for: Families using the pool often, warm climates, luxury builds

Automatic pool covers use a motorized system on tracks to slide the cover across your pool. They’re the easiest to use — and the most expensive.

How They Work

• Integrated track system (deck-mounted or undertrack)
• Motor opens/closes the cover
• Creates a safety barrier when closed
• Conserves heat and reduces chemical loss

Advantages

• Extreme convenience (open/close daily)
• Cuts evaporation by up to 90%
• Excellent heat retention → lower heating bills
• Helps with safety when used consistently

Limitations

• Not a winter cover in heavy snow climates
• Track systems need maintenance
• High upfront investment

4. Winter Pool Covers (Tarp-Style) — Not Safety Covers

Purpose: Debris protection only
Best for: Above-ground pools, mild climates, temporary coverage

Winter covers — often called tarp covers — are the cheapest and least secure category. They are not safety covers and cannot support weight.

How They Work

• Secured with water bags or perimeter cable
• Acts as a seasonal blanket
• Blocks leaves, branches, and debris

Advantages

• Affordable
• Simple installation
• Effective debris control

Limitations

• Zero weight-bearing capacity
• Can shift during storms
• Water collects on top, creating hazard

5. Solar Pool Covers (Bubble Covers) — Heat Retention Only

Purpose: Warm water + reduce evaporation
Best for: Extending swim season, lowering utility bills, dry climates

Solar blankets float directly on the water. They increase temperature by trapping UV heat, often raising water temperature by 5–15°F depending on climate and sun exposure.

How They Work

• Bubble cells trap solar energy
• Reduces water evaporation by up to 95%
• Cuts chemical loss caused by evaporation

Advantages

• Lowest cost
• Strong energy savings
• Extends swim season naturally

Limitations

• Provides no safety
• Not anchored → blows off in storms
• Can tear if dragged on deck

Safety vs. Non-Safety Covers: The Distinction Most Homeowners Miss

Safety Covers (meet ASTM F1346 standard)

• Mesh Safety Covers
• Solid Safety Covers
• Some Automatic Covers (only when closed & installed correctly)

Non- Safety Covers

• Winter covers
• Solar (bubble) covers
• Leaf nets

Why this matters:

• Insurance claims often require ASTM-rated covers
• Liability shifts dramatically if a drowning occurs under a non-safety cover
• Safety covers prevent accidents — non-safety covers do not

If your primary concern is protecting children, pets, or guests, the choice is not optional: get a safety cover.

How to Choose the Right Pool Cover: Simple Decision Framework

If your priority is drowning prevention → Mesh or Solid Safety Cover
If your priority is reducing heating/evaporation → Solar or Automatic Cover
If you get heavy snowfall → Mesh or Solid (never automatic alone)
If you have an above-ground pool → Winter tarp
If you want daily convenience → Automatic cover

Pro tip: Homeowners often try to use one cover for all purposes. It doesn’t work. Match the cover type to the job.

Common Misconceptions About Pool Cover Types

• “All covers are safety covers.”
  False — only ASTM-rated covers prevent accidental entry.
• “Automatic covers replace winter covers in snowy states.”
  False — snow load can destroy automatic mechanisms.
• “Solar covers prevent drowning.”
  Dangerously false — floating covers can increase entrapment risk.
• “Winter covers protect kids/pets.”
  False — tarp covers collapse under weight.

Maintenance Expectations by Pool Cover Type

Mesh Safety Cover

• Rinse debris
• Check spring tension annually

Solid Safety Cover

• Pump standing water
• Clean vinyl surface

Automatic Cover

• Keep tracks clear
• Service motor annually

Winter Cover

• Check water bags
• Remove standing water

Solar Cover

• Avoid dragging on concrete
• Rinse off debris

Conclusion

Every cover provides benefits, but not every cover provides safety.
Your choice should reflect your real priorities:

• Safety? Mesh or solid.
• Energy savings? Solar or automatic.
• Winterization? Mesh or solid.
• Budget? Solar or winter tarp.

A well-matched cover saves money, cuts maintenance, protects your family, and extends the lifespan of your pool.

If you’re evaluating safety options for your inground pool, make sure your cover type meets ASTM standards and fits your pool’s layout.