The Pros and Cons of Mesh and Solid Winter Pool Covers

Solid pool covers have a plastic or vinyl look that has no holes. It is completely solid throughout its extension and soft to the touch. Mesh pool covers are very fine, tight fibers that allow water to pass through, but not debris. Therefore, they have a more textured appearance than a solid cover. Both solid and mesh pool covers are different from a solar cover in design and construction. You can easily narrow the search by pool type; above-ground covers are very different from covers for in-ground pools. Solid covers are more expensive than mesh covers, as they are more durable and ensure clean pool water in spring. A solid cover usually lasts 7-11 years, a shorter lifespan than a mesh cover. The difference between mesh cover types is mainly the amount of UV rays that the cover blocks. The more they block UV rays, the less bacteria and algae will grow. This means you'll be adding fewer chemicals to your pool. Mesh covers for in-ground pools can last up to 15 years when cared for. This gives them a slight advantage over vinyl covers. You won't need to use a submersible pump on top of a mesh cover, because rainwater can easily penetrate the material. The sunlight-friendly design means that using a mesh cover for winter pools usually allows you to open the pool a little earlier. On the positive side, solid covers protect water from sunlight, which can help reduce the growth of algae and bacteria. With their lightweight material, mesh covers can be put on and removed by a single person in most cases, unlike solid covers. Leaf nets are designed to cover the winter pool cover to prevent leaves and other debris from accumulating on the deck or settling in the pool water. This means that pools with solid covers do not suffer from water stains from the tannins that pass with the water into the pool like mesh covers do. For maintenance, mesh pool covers do not require a pump, as the mesh material naturally allows water to pass through the surface. These covers are extremely sturdy despite being very light, so a person can easily pick up and transport them as needed, even if the pool and cover are large. The disadvantage is that, because a mesh cover is not airtight, water will pass through the pool. Mesh winter covers provide excellent winter protection and are perfect if you live in an area that gets heavy snow during the winter months. Objectively, it is easy to measure the cost differences between the two most common types of pool covers. When it comes to choosing between mesh and solid winter pool covers, there are pros and cons to consider for each type of cover. Solid covers offer superior protection against debris entering your pool while also blocking out sunlight which helps reduce algae growth and bacteria levels in your pool water. They also last longer than mesh covers but require more effort to install and remove due to their weight. Mesh covers on the other hand are lightweight and easy to install or remove by one person but allow smaller particles of debris to pass through as well as allowing sunlight into your pool which can lead to increased algae growth and bacteria levels in your pool water. They also don't require a submersible pump for maintenance like solid covers do but may cause water staining due to tannins passing through them into your pool water.