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When the summer heat arrived, we found ourselves using the cover less often.
The Spruce
Prior to installing this cover on our pool, we used a floating thermometer to check the water temperature.
If thats your priority, we recommend the Premium Plus Solar Blanket from In the Swim.
This pool cover is available in 12 different sizes to accommodate various pool sizes and shapes.
PHOTO: The Spruce / Clarissa Cruz
Our pool fell into an in-between space, so the cover we tested was a little big.
Therefore, you will need apool cleanerto keep your water free of leaves and twigs.
The Coverfree Liquid Solar Blanket comes in a 32-ounce bottle.
You could order a cover that’s a little too wide and cut to fit if your pool isn’t a perfect rectangle, but we opted not to.PHOTO: The Spruce
It has a 12-mil thickness, which keeps it light and maneuverable.
However, we encountered some issues during testing that prevented us from fully recommending this product.
It was also challenging to get each section inflated correctly, which required much trial and error.
We evaluated each pool cover for ease of setup and use, effectiveness, and overall value.
Youll most often find solar pool covers in round, rectangular, oval, and square shapes.
Do solar covers increase algae?
A solar pool cover can create favorable conditions for algae growth.
In terms of heat transfer, Meece says that clear solar pool covers are the most effective.
They do not block UV rays that can break down your chlorine.
As a result, you may need to add chemicals to your pool water more frequently.
Air bubbles give solar pool covers their distinct bubble wrap-like texture.
These are frequently found on solar pool blankets.
Some of the most common materials are vinyl, polyethylene, and polypropylene.
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Elsevier BV, doi:10.1016/j.microc.2013.09.014.
Mil Scale.Petroleum Service Company.
PHOTO: The Spruce / Kathryn Stephenson
We needed two people to install the cover since it’s so thick and heavy.PHOTO: The Spruce
PHOTO: The Spruce / Mike Navarro
The cover is really thick so it doesn’t roll up as well as some, but it still doesn’t take up too much space during storage.PHOTO: The Spruce
The pool cover rolls up easily for storage during the off season.PHOTO: The Spruce
The pool cover rolls up easily for storage during the off season.PHOTO: The Spruce
PHOTO: Amazon
The Solar Sun Rings helped increase our water temperature even though we didn’t have enough for full coverage.The Spruce
While you can cut most solar blankets to size, leaving some to drape over the edge can help keep out debris.The Spruce
Inflatable solar rings or discs are easy to install and remove, but inflating them takes some time.The Spruce
