What Does a Solar Cover Do?
- Captures solar heat and transfers it into your pool water
- Reduces evaporation and water loss
- Helps maintain chemical balance by limiting UV exposure
- Keeps debris out of your pool
Solar covers use thousands of air bubbles to trap heat and act as an insulating barrier, helping maintain water temperature overnight and extend your swimming season.
Step 1: Choose the Right Size & Shape
- Measure your pool at its longest and widest points
- Match your pool shape (round, oval, rectangular)
- Trim-to-fit designs allow customization
Your cover should sit directly on the water and cover as much surface area as possible to maximize heat retention.
Step 2: Color & Heat Performance
- Clear covers: Maximize sunlight penetration for faster heating
- Blue covers: Balance heat retention, durability, and UV protection
- Darker covers: Improve heat retention but may reduce heat gain
Clear covers typically provide the best heat gain by allowing more sunlight into the water, while blue covers help retain heat longer and protect against UV degradation. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
Step 3: Bubble Design & Material
- Bubble technology traps heat and improves insulation
- Micro-bubble designs improve heat transfer and durability
- Made from UV-resistant polyethylene for long-term use
Higher-quality bubble construction helps your cover last longer while improving heat retention and overall performance.
Step 4: Thickness & Performance (Important)
Many solar covers are marketed using “mil thickness” (8 mil, 12 mil, 16 mil), but these numbers can vary between manufacturers and may not reflect actual performance.
Instead of focusing on MIL ratings, we recommend choosing a cover based on real-world performance factors:
- Heat retention efficiency
- Material strength and durability
- Bubble construction and design
- Overall lifespan
Thicker covers generally retain heat better, while lighter covers are easier to handle. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Step 5: Ease of Use & Daily Handling
- Thicker covers are heavier but more durable
- Use a solar cover reel for easy removal and storage
- Consider how often you’ll remove the cover
If you plan to use your cover daily, ease of handling becomes just as important as performance.
Do solar covers really heat the pool?
Yes. They capture sunlight and retain heat, helping increase and maintain
water temperature.
Do they reduce evaporation?
Yes. Solar covers can significantly reduce water loss and heating costs.
Can I cut it to fit?
Yes. Covers are designed to be trimmed to match your pool shape.
Which solar cover is best?
The best option depends on your climate, pool size, and whether you prioritize
heat gain, retention, or durability.
Need Help Choosing?
Our pool experts can help you select the right solar cover based on your pool type, climate, and performance goals.
- Pool size and shape
- Inground or above ground pool
- Primary goal (heating, retention, debris control)
The right solar cover helps you enjoy warmer water, lower maintenance, and a longer swimming season.