Making sure your pool is ready for winter is an important part of being a responsible pool owner. Choosing to cover your pool with a quality pool cover is a smart decision. In our first two articles in this series (see Part 1 & 2) we took a look at the advantages and disadvantages of standard pool covers, mesh safety covers, and solid safety covers. In this article, we’ll turn our attention to the top of the line winter pool cover option: an automatic pool cover.
Pros and Cons of Automatic Pool Covers
Automatic pool covers have a lot to offer pool owners. First of all, they’re extremely convenient. With the simple touch of a button, your pool can be firmly secured from the elements. They’re also strong enough to keep both unattended pets and children out of the pool. If you want quick access to the pool, you simply push the button again and the cover will retract. It just can’t get any easier than that! Also, instead of having to deal with the hassle of installing a pool cover each year, owners with an automatic pool cover can sit back and relax. These covers are built-in, so there’s no yearly installation required.
So what’s the catch? Why doesn’t everyone have an automatic pool cover? The main reason would be the cost. They’re simply cost-prohibitive for many pool owners. Unless you have technical expertise in putting in automatic pool covers, you’ll have to pay not only for the equipment but also for professional installation. Automatic pool covers can also have ongoing maintenance costs as their more complex mechanics may occasionally have technical issues.
Additionally, these covers aren’t ideal for every type of pool. They may not work for above ground pools. If you have a custom pool that isn’t in a typical kidney, rectangular, oval, or round shape, you also may have trouble finding an automatic pool cover that will fit your pool.
Finally, these covers don’t last as long as some other covers do. Based on the models currently on the market, approximately every five to seven years you’ll need to completely replace an automatic pool cover. That recurring replacement cost could get pretty expensive.
Making the Decision
Now that we’ve looked at the different types of pool covers, you can decide which one would best suit your needs and budget. Be sure to weigh all of the pros and cons. Think about how often your cover will need to be replaced and what kind of budget you’ll have for replacement costs on an ongoing basis.
You’ll also want to think about the hassle factor. How difficult to install is the type of cover you’re considering? Do you want a cover that’s simple enough to install on your own, or are you comfortable hiring a professional installer? Are you concerned about excessive algae growth, pets and kids entering the pool, or having the ability to control your cover at the touch of a button? All of these factors will help you to determine the winter pool cover that will be right for your pool.
In our next article, we’ll consider some of the other pool equipment besides a safety cover you should have to get your pool ready for winter.
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Lyon Financial
Since 1979 Lyon Financial has made the backyard resort dream come true for over 400,000 families across the U.S. Through our solid relationships with more than 3,000 pool contractors and our continued commitment to putting our clients first, we have built a reputation as the first choice in providing pool financing solutions. For more information, visit lyonfinancial.net or call (877) 754-5966 today.
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