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A good cover is one of the best things you can add to a pool
Ask most pool owners what they would add first if they started again, and a lot of them say the same thing. A proper cover. It keeps the water warmer, cleaner and safer, and it saves you time every single week.
The trouble is that the old roll-up bubble sheet on a reel is a chore. You drag it off, you fold it, you drag it back. On a busy evening it simply doesn’t happen. That is where automatic pool covers come in. You turn a key or press a button, and the cover glides across the water on its own.
There are two main styles to choose from. One uses rigid slats that float on the surface. The other uses a flexible sheet of heavy fabric that runs in tracks along the sides of the pool. Both do a good job, but they suit different gardens, budgets and priorities.
In this guide we’ll walk you through how each type works, how they compare on safety, heat, looks and upkeep, and what to think about before you decide.
Why a cover matters more than you might expect
A pool loses most of its heat from the surface. Warm water evaporates, and that evaporation carries heat away with it, especially on breezy nights. A cover sitting on or just above the water slows that right down.
It also keeps out leaves, insects, dust and pollen. Less debris means less work for your filter, less vacuuming for you, and a steadier chemical balance. And a good cover adds a layer of protection for children and pets when the pool isn’t in use.
Automatic pool covers come in two main styles
Before we compare them, it helps to picture how each one is built. They look quite different, and they sit in the pool in different ways.
Slatted covers
A slatted cover is made from a row of hollow, interlocking slats. Each slat is sealed at both ends, so it traps air and floats. The slats are linked together along their length, a little like a very long roller blind.
When the cover is open, the slats wind onto a roller. That roller can sit in a few places:
- Hidden under a bench or seat at one end of the pool
- Tucked below the deck in a covered pit
- Mounted in a separate, submerged chamber behind a wall
- Sitting above the water at one end in a neat housing
When you close it, a motor turns the roller and the slats unroll and float out across the water. They rest directly on the surface.
Tarpaulin covers
A tarpaulin cover is a single sheet of tough, coated fabric. Instead of floating, it is held along both long sides by tracks or rails. These can be fixed on top of the coping or set into the edge of the pool so they’re almost invisible.
The fabric winds onto a roller at one end, usually housed in a box or pit. When it closes, it’s pulled along the tracks and stretches across the pool, sitting just above or on the water.
Because the edges are locked into the tracks, a tarpaulin cover forms a sealed lid over the whole pool. That detail matters a lot when we get to safety.
Safety is where automatic pool covers differ most
No cover replaces adult supervision. We say that to every family we work with. But a well chosen cover can add a valuable extra barrier when nobody is using the pool.
How a tarpaulin cover protects
With the edges held in tracks all the way round, a tarpaulin cover can often take the weight of a child or a pet walking across it. There are no gaps at the sides for a small person to slip through. Many families with young children lean towards this style for that reason.
How a slatted cover protects
A slatted cover floats rather than being locked in at the edges. Some slatted covers are designed and tested to carry weight, and there are recognised European standards that set out what a safety cover should achieve. Others are designed mainly to keep heat in and dirt out.
If safety is your main reason for buying, ask your installer plainly what the cover has been tested for, and what that means in real life. Don’t assume every cover of a given style performs the same.
Everyday habits still matter
Even the strongest cover only works when it’s closed. Get into the habit of closing it every time the pool isn’t in use, and keep the key or control somewhere little hands can’t reach. Standing water can collect on top after rain, so keep an eye on that too. You’ll find more ideas in our guide to swimming pool safety for your family home.
Automatic pool covers can make a real difference to your heating
Heat loss is the quiet cost of owning a pool. Every night the water gives up warmth to the air, and your heating has to put it back the next day. Covering the surface is one of the simplest ways to slow that down.
Slatted covers and heat
Because the slats sit directly on the water, they block evaporation very well. Air trapped inside each slat also acts as a little layer of insulation. On sunny days, some coloured or clear slats let a bit of warmth from the sun through into the water, which can help.
Tarpaulin covers and heat
A tarpaulin cover also cuts evaporation and holds warmth in, though it may sit slightly above the surface rather than on it. The sealed edges help to stop draughts running across the water, which is a big part of heat loss on a windy site.
Pairing a cover with your heating
A cover works best as part of a sensible heating plan. If you’re weighing up heat pumps or other options, our guide to choosing the right swimming pool heating system is a good place to start. We can then give you a realistic estimate of how a cover might affect your own running, based on your pool, your site and how you like to swim.
Looks and fit depend on your pool and garden
A pool is a big part of your garden view, so how automatic pool covers look when open and closed really does matter.
The slatted look
Slatted covers look neat and tailored when closed. The slats come in a choice of colours, from soft greys and whites to blues and more natural tones. When open, the whole roller can be hidden away, leaving a clean, uncluttered pool edge.
They also cope well with pools that aren’t a simple rectangle. Slats can be cut to follow a gentle curve or an unusual end shape, within limits.
The tarpaulin look
Tarpaulin covers work best on straight sided, rectangular pools, because the fabric has to run in parallel tracks. When closed, they give a smooth, taut finish. The tracks are the part you’ll notice most, so it’s worth asking how they will sit on your coping or deck.
Where the roller goes
With both types, the roller needs a home. Planning this early makes a huge difference. A roller hidden under a bench or below the deck looks far tidier than a box added as an afterthought. That’s one reason it pays to think about a cover when you plan your pool, not a year later.
Automatic pool covers need some simple care to keep working
Neither style is hard to look after, but a few simple habits will keep yours running smoothly for years.
Looking after a slatted cover
- Rinse the slats now and then to clear pollen, dust and any algae film
- Keep your water chemistry balanced, as very high or low levels can mark the slats over time
- Clear leaves off the top before you open the cover, so they don’t end up in the pool
- Check that the slats sit flat and none are cracked or waterlogged
Looking after a tarpaulin cover
- Keep the tracks clear of leaves, grit and twigs, which can snag the fabric
- Pump or brush off standing rainwater so it doesn’t weigh the cover down
- Hose off the surface from time to time
- Look out for any small tears or worn areas along the edges
Motors and mechanisms
Both styles rely on a motor, a roller and some form of control. A yearly check as part of your service is a sensible idea. If anything sounds odd, or the cover starts to run unevenly, stop using it and give us a call rather than forcing it.
Winter and the cover
In the colder months, your cover keeps a lot of debris out of the pool. It’s worth reading our simple guide to winterising your pool so you know how the cover fits into your wider winter routine. If you’re weighing up your options, our guide to getting your pool ready for summer is worth a look.
Your choice comes down to a few honest questions
If you’re torn between the two styles of automatic pool covers, try working through these questions. They usually point you clearly one way or the other.
- How much does safety drive your decision? If young children or pets are around often, a cover with sealed edges and tested weight bearing may be the priority.
- What shape is your pool? A simple rectangle suits either style. Curves and unusual ends often suit slats better.
- How much do you care about the look? Slats can sit almost invisibly when open. Tracks for a fabric cover are more visible along the edges.
- Where could the roller live? Under a bench, below the deck, or in an end housing. This affects the build, so it’s best decided early.
- How exposed is your garden? Wind, trees and leaf fall all affect how each cover behaves day to day.
There’s no single right answer. The best cover is the one that suits your family, your garden and how you actually use the pool. We’re always happy to talk it through and show you what each option would look like on your own pool, or to help you explore our full range of pools if you’re still at the planning stage.
Pool cover questions we get asked a lot
Can I add an automatic cover to an existing pool?
Often, yes. It depends on the pool’s shape, the space around it and where a roller could sit. Talk to us about your pool and we can take a look.
Will a cover stop the pool going green?
It helps a lot, because it keeps out light, leaves and debris. You still need to keep the water balanced and the filter running as normal.
How long does it take to open or close?
Usually just a minute or two, depending on the size of the pool. You simply hold the key or button while it runs, so you can watch it the whole time.
Can I walk on the cover?
Only if it has been designed and tested to take that weight, and even then it’s not a play area. Always check with your installer what your cover is built for.
Do I need to take the cover off in winter?
Not usually. Many owners keep it closed through winter to keep debris out. Clear standing water and leaves from the top so the cover isn’t weighed down.
Does a cover work with a heated pool?
Yes, and that’s where it really earns its keep. Keeping the cover closed when you’re not swimming helps hold the warmth your heating has worked to put in.
Let’s find the right automatic pool covers for your home
A cover is one of those additions you’ll use every day without thinking about it. The right one keeps your water warmer and cleaner, cuts down on chores and adds a welcome layer of peace of mind.
At HiLife Pools we include covers, heating, lighting and equipment as part of a complete pool project, and we look after them afterwards with aftercare, servicing and repairs. We’ll talk you through the options, show you how each would look on your pool and give you a tailored quote.
Call us on 01483 323 676 or email hello@hilifepools.co.uk for a friendly, no-pressure chat, or get in touch online and we’ll come back to you.
