Automatic cover questions

[cybertoad]

My wife and I are in the process of getting pool quotes and are interested in the idea of an auto cover as we have a toddler. We would be interested in hearing from anyone that has one, as to whether on not they would recommend it. The only drawback is that the cover limits the design options pretty substantially. We are already planning on going with a geometric pool though with a raised bond beam and sheer descents.

We are considering a raised spa with a waterfall into the pool as opposed a spa that is integrated into the pool. If we do a raised spa, is there a way to turn off the spillway when the pool is closed for filtering? I've noticed other pictures online of pools with raised spas that have auto covers, but not sure how they handle this.

 

[ajw22]

Modern automation lets you turn your spillway on or off independant of POOL or SPA mode. Make sure you select automation that has this feature.

 

[santacruzpool]

We have a cover and built our pool when our son was 5 - I love it - it keeps the pool cleaner, warmer, and safer. For drawbacks, it does cost an arm+leg, and over time the vinyl cover will need to be replaced (5-7 years is what I remember reading is typical), and there are yearly, or twice yearly, maintenance work that has to be done to keep it running well.

The raised spa may need an autocover as well for safety purposes, unless you have all the other barrier requirements met...fence, alarms, gates, water alarms...

I wouldn't splurge on an autocover and have an open spa. Two autocovers adds to the expense.

Our neighbor has a cover and has their spa sunk into the corner of the pool so the cover can go over top of it. It works very well and helps hold the spa heat in the winter

I recently opted for a stand-alone spa. I have seen some cool designs where a stand alone spa is made to look like it is built in - you could even have a water feature on a tiled wall that mimicked the spa spill-over effect I bet.

Bullfrog has a page with the spa built into a deck next to a pool - In Ground Hot Tub & Spa Kit - Built In Spas | Bullfrog Spas

I bet you could build something like that right next to the pool and raised up.

 

[cybertoad]

Thanks for your input! Was thinking of doing an autocover for the pool and just a manual cover for the spa. I think I like the raised spa look a lot better, but having trouble deciding.

 

[swimcmp]

With a toddler I wouldn't recommend building a pool without an auto cover. The added safety of the cover and the ability to cover the pool in less than a minute is worth a lot of peace of mind. Just remember that water on top of the cover is just as dangerous as a pool. Maybe more so

 

[BMK]

Our previous pool had an auto cover. Our new pool, due to size and shape, does not. I love our pool, but I sure do miss that auto cover.