What is the difference between solid and mesh pool covers
Matthew Barrera
Updated on May 03, 2026
Solid pool covers have a plastic or vinyl 1 appearance that has no holes. It is completely solid all the way across and smooth to the touch. Mesh pool covers are very fine, tightly knit fibers that allow water to pass through but not debris. So, they have a more textured look than a solid cover.
Is mesh or solid pool cover better?
A mesh cover will screen out leaves and other debris, but the reality is that sediment, water washed over dirty leaves, and some UV light gets into your pool. … A solid safety cover, on the other hand, keeps your pool water clear by blocking out all precipitation and dirt.
Do Mesh pool covers let water through?
Mesh covers do not need a pump on top because they just let the pool water pass through. Since there’s no pump, mesh covers generally require no work during the offseason. With their light-weight material, mesh covers can be taken on and off by one person in most cases, unlike solid covers.
What kind of pool cover is best?
- Safety Pick: Happybuy Pool Safety Cover. …
- Intex Solar Cover. …
- Blue Wave Solar Blanket. …
- Sun2Solar Solar Cover. …
- Blue Wave Rectangular Leaf Net. BUY ON AMAZON. …
- Blue Wave Rectangular Pool Safety Cover. BUY ON AMAZON. …
- Blue Wave Solar Blanket. BUY ON AMAZON. …
- Robelle Swimming Pool Cover. BUY ON AMAZON.
Should a mesh pool cover touch the water?
The cover is designed to touch the surface of the water. So your pool should always be filled when covered, and the water level should never go below 18 inches from the top of the pool.
Can you walk on a mesh pool cover?
Rain drains through without collecting on the surface, while leaves and debris just dry and blow away! No water bags or pumping necessary, wich virtually eliminates off-season maintenance! Choose the fabrics and colors that match your taste and get a perfectly fitted custom-built mesh pool cover you can walk on.
How do I choose a pool cover?
To properly cover and close, your pool cover must be that is the correct size of your pool. For an in-ground pool, according to experts, your pool cover should extend at least 3 inches past the edge of the pool. Prior to purchasing a cover, you will need to measure to find the correct dimensions of your swimming pool.
What color is best for pool cover?
Dark Blue solar covers do the best job at keeping the heat in a pool, and although heat absorption and convection is higher with a darker colored solar blanket, the net heat gain during the day is less than with clear blankets.What is a solid pool cover?
Solid winter covers are nearly airtight and will prevent dirt, water, debris, and sunlight from entering the pool. Blocking the sunlight aids in preventing algae and other organisms from growing in the pool during fall and winter months.
What is the difference between a pool cover and a solar pool cover?Using a cover can help keep your pool clean, keep out unwanted visitors (frogs, mice, etc.) … These covers also help you save money by preventing pool water evaporation. Solar covers float on top of the water’s surface and can also aid in keeping light debris out of your pool.
Article first time published onHow long do Mesh pool covers last?
Mesh inground pool covers 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 any rainwater will easily be able to penetrate the material.
Is it necessary to cover a pool in the winter?
Must You Use a Winter Pool Cover? No, but winter covers protect your pool from stains, algae growth and poor water balance that could damage pool surfaces. … It is recommended to use a winter cover, and 99% of pool owners who have their pool winterized do cover the pool for winter.
How much does it cost to install a pool cover?
Expect to spend anything between $100 and $2200 on your pool cover installation. Most pool owners willing to do tradeoffs between quality and appearance will spend an average of $700 on pool cover installation.
How tight should a pool cover be?
How Tight Should a Safety Cover Be? Safety covers should be drum-tight, with only a slight deflection in the middle. When covers are too loose, leaves can blow under easily, and a high water level in springtime quickly traps leaves and turns your cover into a giant tea bag.
How do I keep water from building up on my pool cover?
Whenever temperatures allow, simply place a submersible pump onto the pool cover, preferably on something solid like a Frisbee to prevent water form be sucked through the cover and remove excess water.
How do I keep my pillow in the middle of my pool?
Tie strong string or thin rope to both ends of the pillow; it should have grommets on the edges for this purpose. Place the pillow in the center of the pool. Secure the other ends of the strings to the edge of the pool to keep the pillow in place.
What are the different types of pool covers?
There are three basic types of pool covers: mesh, solid and automatic. Mesh covers allow sunlight and water to filter through, while solid covers completely block sunlight, water and debris from entering the pool. And an automatic swimming pool cover is just what it sounds like — automatic.
Is it better to cover your pool?
Covering a pool when it is not in use is the single most effective means of reducing pool heating costs. Savings of 50%–70% are possible. Pool covers on indoor pools not only can reduce evaporation but also the need to ventilate indoor air and replace it with unconditioned outdoor air.
Should I cover my pool every night?
Covering a heated swimming pool at night will reduce heat loss. … For a swimming pool that relies on the sun for heat, covering it at night can still make it warm enough to swim in the next day, instead of losing all the heat overnight when the temperatures drop.
How much weight can pool covers hold?
The ASTM standard for pool covers requires the ability to hold at least 435 pounds.
Can you walk on a solid pool cover?
Although All-Safe does not encourage anyone to walk or stand on an automatic retractable cover for any pool unless an emergency arises, it can support the weight of multiple people. Carefully traversing this pool cover feels similar to walking on a waterbed.
How much weight can an automatic pool cover hold?
Automatic pool covers are rated to hold around 2,000 pounds, which is a lot of weight. However, snow, ice, and water can be very heavy, too, especially if it becomes concentrated in one area. Snow alone can weigh between 12 and 20 pounds per cubic foot, and ice and water can both weigh around 60 pounds per cubic foot.
What are Mesh pool covers made of?
Mesh vs. The Safety Mesh Pool Cover is constructed of 100% polypropylene. This material has an exceptionally High bursting strength. Mesh fabrics allow all the water to drain through into the swimming pool. For Safety, this is the best type of fabric you can use.
Are Latham pool covers good?
Latham’s solid and mesh pool covers are backed by the best warranties in the industry, so you can expect a high-quality product that will last for years to come.
Why are solar pool covers not black?
The transparency of the clear solar cover allows solar rays to hit the cover and push deeper into the pool. This allows solar heat to penetrate further into your pool than most other colors, without requiring any additional water circulation methods.
Should I take my solar cover off during the day?
For this reason solar covers (unlike solar rings) will actually block sunlight and keep heat out of the pool during the day – not magnifying the sun like many people will assume. So for these reasons a solar cover should be put on in the evening and removed in the morning, for maximum benefit.
Does a pool get warmer with the cover on or off?
Insulating the Pool Water from Heat Loss Air bubbles in the pool cover act as an insulator in a similar way that your thermos would keep water warm. A pool cover will, therefore, keep your pool water warmer for longer.
What is the difference between a solar blanket and a solar cover?
Solar Cover Benefits Retain Heat – When the sun sets and the night air cools, heat in your pool water is lost. A solar blanket floating on the water keeps much of that heat from dissipating.
Will a solar cover heat a pool?
Conclusion: Solar Covers do really work! Both to retain heat and reduce humidity, and when used on outdoor pools, they also add heat to the pool (Liquid Solar does not add heat). … There’s no apparent shortcut, the larger, bulkier solar pool covers just do a better job! Even if they are a pain in the neck.
How long can you keep pool cover on?
While you can safely put your cover back on the pool right after you’ve added chemicals, it’s always best to wait 30 minutes to an hour, just to help your cover last longer. And definitely always remove it while shocking your pool and keep it off until chlorine levels return to normal (about 1-2 ppm).
What is the purpose of a pillow in a pool?
Air Pillows are a winter closing essential for aboveground pools in colder climates. This rugged vinyl air pillow absorbs the pressure of freezing and thawing to protect the cover and walls of your pool. When your pool water freezes, the Air Pillow compresses to relieve pressure on your pool walls.