Automatic Cover Recommendations?

[arri]

I have a 20' x 40' in ground rectangular pool with concrete decking. There is a very good chance that I'm going to be building a large structure near enough one end of the pool that the decking on that end will be entirely rebuilt with a greater elevation to the waterline.

However, this presents an opportunity to work an in ground automatic pool cover into that remodel. What are the automatic covers you like or dislike and why? Anything I should be looking out for specifically?

arri

 

[bmoreswim]

Honestly I haven't seen enough feedback on particular brands to have developed any brand recommendation. That said, there are a handful or less of major manufacturers. We have Coverstar and it's fine as they go. All are expensive to repair by their techs. Some folks are inclined/able to DIY some repairs. Routine maintenance is certainly DIYable.

I can't comment on the ease/ possibility of installing an under-coping autocover after the fact. The end pool wall needs to be lowered. The side rails need to be under coping which would either require thinner coping or a deck elevation change all around.

On benefits, I like ours for the following reasons:

Keeps pool warmer on cool nights or breezy days.
Keeps pool cleaner.
Keeps pool safer.
Allows shorter pump run times.
Allows lower SWG settings.
Simple to open/close.

Cons:

Expensive $$$ to install.
Might be expensive to maintain.
Some time to maintain. (Should be more ham offset by how clean it keeps the pool).
They will need new fabric at some point.

On the possibility of installing a 'new construction' cover as a retrofit, you will need to contact an installer for details. Other styles certainly can be installed after the fact.

 

[YippeeSkippy]

My cover is made by PoolCoverSpecialists and we've had no problems or complaints in over 5 years. The different brands do seem to have small differences in the mechanics from what I've seen. Mine was installed after the pool was installed so the track is flat on top of the deck, and the roll is under a longgggg bench we had made. Pics in my siggy line.

Shop around. They're not cheap but they sure make me feel safer when we're not monitoring the pool. No worries about any one or thing falling in.

Maddie

 

[IASteve]

I have an Automaticpoolcovers.net cover AutoGuard Top Track. It came with the pool, so I don't know the cost.

Overall, we like it. It works well, you can walk on it, and it keeps the pool warm overnight if we're running the heater.

The things we don't like is that it is very hard to clean off when it gets wet leaves on it (without walking on it), and it collects debris/leaves and pulls them into the pool when the cover is rolled back on. Draining it after it rains isn't too bad and if you wait a day, it can dry out by itself. I attach the drain hose and kinda swing it to the middle. We've been leaving it open more and more lately.

In the winter, we just retract it and leave it be.

 

[arri]

Thanks all, and to those yet to chime in, please do. This will take me some time to plan out and I'd like to consider various options. It'd be nice to have an automatic cover more for having the built-in storage than anything really. I still need to meet with an installer and see what their preference is if any.

arri