How to Select your Perfect Safety Cover

Considering a Safety Cover? That's good! Safety Covers offer the best possible protection for your pool during the off-season, give you a much neater & more tailored look than is possible with a standard winter Cover, and can last for years. Plus, Safety Covers do exactly what their name implies – provide an extra measure of safety & peace of mind by guarding against accidental submersion. They're the perfect choice for conscientious pool owners.

Selecting the right Safety Cover is very important. It will ensure full warranty coverage and the longest life for your Cover, plus it makes installing, removing & storing your Safety Cover quick, easy and convenient. Consider the following factors as you make your decision. And if you have any questions along the way, don't hesitate to give us a call at 1-800-983-7665. Our friendly team of Pool Experts will be happy to assist you.

Do you need a Stock or Custom-size Safety Cover?

Safety Covers are available in all shapes and sizes. The most popular are commonly referred to as "standard" or "stock" - meaning that Cover manufacturers produce these Safety Covers in advance, and make them available to us before the start of Cover season. SPP carries a large selection of stock Safety Covers, which means we can help more pool owners find a quality Safety Cover that fits your pool, and can save you time & money. The vast majority of our customers can utilize a stock Safety Cover for their pool. But don't worry - we make custom Safety Covers for many pool owners too.

There are two main factors that determine whether you need a "custom" (or "non-stock") Safety Cover for your pool:

• If your pool's shape and/or dimensions are uncommon (usually for very large or free-form pools)
• If your pool has large permanent objects (such as ladders, slides, diving boards, spas) in close proximity to the pool's edge. These require custom alterations called "cut-outs" to be built into your Safety Cover, to ensure the proper fit and full warranty coverage

Shop our online selection of Safety Covers to view available stock sizes. And if you do need a custom Safety Cover, don't worry - we can help! Simply submit your pool's measurements online, via fax or mail, or give us a call at 1-800-983-7665.

Which Type of Safety Cover Material should you Choose?

The material that your Safety Cover is made from is just as important as ensuring the correct size. The first choice you need to make is between mesh and solid material:

Mesh Safety Cover

Mesh Material - Mesh material is generally lighter & easier to handle than solid material. This means an easier time getting the Safety Cover on and off your pool. Mesh material will also allow water from rain & melting snow to pass through the Cover into the pool, so you won't have to pump off standing water in the spring. In addition, mesh material is generally less expensive than solid material. Mesh material is available in Standard Mesh or Tighter-Weave options:

Standard Mesh - Traditionally, the best selling Cover material in the industry. Standard mesh is an "open-weave" 2-ply material that offers approximately 92% shade - meaning that only about 8% of natural sunlight is allowed to enter through the Cover, which minimizes algae build-up. Our Standard Mesh Safety Covers include Meycolite Mesh, SPP Value-Mesh and Mesh Safety Covers for Onground/Decked Aboveground Pools.

Tighter Weave Mesh – Increasing in popularity, tighter-weave Safety Covers offer around 99% shade, for virtually no algae growth over the course of the off-season. Also, this tighter mesh is better than standard mesh at filtering out debris, so your pool water will be cleaner in the spring than what you would typically get with a standard mesh Cover. Our line of Pro-Mesh Safety Covers is manufactured using this newer material.

Solid Safety Cover

Solid Material - Solid material's big advantage is that it will prevent sunlight & fine particles from entering the pool. This helps keep the pool clean over the winter by preventing dirt and algae accumulation. With a Cover made from solid material, water is kept off the Cover either through use of a drain panel (mesh panel built into the Cover) or a cover pump. Solid material is available in traditional weight and lightweight options:

Traditional Weight Solid Vinyl - This was the first solid Safety Cover material in the industry. It is made from a tough, long-lasting vinyl laminated Polyester fabric that eliminates 100% of sunlight, and blocks debris – so your pool water will be clean and clear in the spring. Traditional weight solid Covers are ideal for pool owners who open their pool in the late spring, or who have large amounts of leaves and debris near the pool's perimeter. These Safety Covers are typically heavier than Mesh or Lightweight Solid Covers, so two or more people may be needed for installation and removal. Our line of Secure & Clean Safety Covers are made using this material, and are offered in two styles: with a drain panel, or 100% solid with a cover pump included.

Lightweight Solid Material - This material is usually about 30% lighter than what's used for traditional weight solid Safety Covers. These Covers are typically PVC coated polyester fabric materials that are stronger than typical vinyl Covers, and are easier to put on and take off. They include a drain panel that helps remove standing water while keeping out the vast majority of debris and leaves. Both our Aqua Master and Hyper-Light Safety Covers are made using this lighter material.

What Spacing is Best for your Situation?

Safety Covers are manufactured with either 5'x5' or 3'x3' spacing:

With 5'x5' spacing, straps are placed approximately every 4 - 6 feet around the perimeter of your pool. This is more than adequate for pools of most sizes & shapes, and for pools in areas with minimal to average snowfall during the winter. All of our in-stock Safety Covers come standard with 5'x5' spacing.

With 3'x3' spacing, straps are placed approximately 2.5 - 3.5 feet apart around the perimeter of your pool. This provides greater strength than with 5'x5' spacing, and is necessary for large pools, free-form pools and for pools in areas that receive heavy snowfall. Safety Covers with 3'x3' spacing are available by custom order.

Does your Pool Have a Step Extension?

If you have a walk-in step extension on the end or side of your pool, you MUST purchase a Safety Cover that is specially made for that application! DO NOT be talked into thinking you can simply purchase a larger rectangular Safety Cover without the step extension, because you will likely void your warrant, and the Cover WILL FAIL. Why? Safety Covers with step extensions have special vinyl pads that are sewn into the material in strategic high-stress locations where the step is located. As the weight of winter ice and snow accumulates on the Cover, these pads prevent the Cover from ripping. Also, on most Safety Covers there is a rubber wear strip sewn into the binding around the pool perimeter. These wear strips extend about 18-24" from the Cover edge, protecting the coping on your pool from wearing through the Safety Cover. It will cost slightly more to purchase a Safety Cover designed for your step extension, but it is well worth it!

Compare Specific Safety Covers

Now that you know all about the differences in Safety Covers, you're ready to read complete details on the features of our Safety Covers. No matter which Safety Cover you choose (even if you choose to buy from someone) make sure your Safety Cover includes all the features you'll find with SPP's Safety Covers!

• Meets or exceeds ASTM Standards
• Top quality Hardware
• Comprehensive Warranty

How to Select a Safety Cover - Features & Benefits - Compare our Safety Covers
Does your Pool Have a Step Extension? - Replacing your Existing Safety Cover?
Safety Covers for Kafko Pools - Safety Covers for Onground / Aboveground Pools
Safety Cover Measuring Forms - Request a Safety Cover Info Kit -
Online "Quick Quote" for Custom Safety Covers - Installation Instructions