Solar cover thickness?

[Maurino17]

Hi
I’m shopping for a solar cover for my 16x24 semi inground oval pool.

It looks like the solar covers come in 8mil and 12mil.

I know thicker is better of course but not sure how hard they are to get on and off. I am. I am not adding a hose reel.

Any advice on thickness or weight?

Should I just go thinner to make it easier to remove?

Are the thinner ones worth using?

Thanks

 

[Richard320]

Get the cheapest you can. The thicker ones break down just as fast as the thin ones.

 

[Maurino17]

Get the cheapest you can. The thicker ones break down just as fast as the thin ones.

hah good advice thanks.
I was thinking along those lines because my winter cover which was around 100 bucks held up well, but now I have to clean it and try to fold it and then store it and it’s a huge pain.
maybe it’s just easier to spend 200 bucks a year replacing both covers every year.

I’m not paying someone to open and close the pool so may be worth it to spare the hassle.

 

[Uncle Salty]

hah good advice thanks.
I was thinking along those lines because my winter cover which was around 100 bucks held up well, but now I have to clean it and try to fold it and then store it and it’s a huge pain.
maybe it’s just easier to spend 200 bucks a year replacing both covers every year.

I’m not paying someone to open and close the pool so may be worth it to spare the hassle.

That’s what I’ve been doing, tossing them after each season. I had a 16mil then went to a 8mil and have new 16mil waiting to be put on. I use the solar cover and leaf net throughout the winter months. I personally prefer the 16mil as it held up better, your mileage may vary.

Salty

 

[Maurino17]

That’s what I’ve been doing, tossing them after each season. I had a 16mil then went to a 8mil and have new 16mil waiting to be put on. I use the solar cover and leaf net throughout the winter months. I personally prefer the 16mil as it held up better, your mileage may vary.

Salty

Thanks, any advice on whether the 8 mil or 16 mil are any easier or harder to get off without a reel sine you’ve had both?

Are you saying you use the solar cover as winter cover with leaf net?

 

[Uncle Salty]

I have a Rocky’s Reel so for me the 16mil was my preference, if y’all aren’t using a reel I would go with the 8mil as it’ll be easier to handle. Yes, I use it and a leaf net as a winter cover but I don’t actually close the pool living in SC as the winters are generally pretty mild.

Salty

 

[Maurino17]

Thanks salty! I’m jealous you don’t lose the pool 9 months out of the year like me.

 

[Uncle Salty]

It makes it easy never having to close/open especially reading all the problems and cost people seem to incurr.

Salty

 

[Canned Heat]

Heat retention with the 16 is a big factor on why I keep buying them. I am also in the middle of nowhere and it gets windy often by me. The 16 mil stays put a heck of a lot better than any lighter ones. Good luck either way.

 

[Maurino17]

Thanks for reply on my post. I should have updated I bought Dohenys 12 mil cover and it’s working amazing. I also added heat pump this year and we’re into the 80’s easily with the pump barely running. We are keeping it covered religiously and it’s not as annoying as I thought to take in and off. My wife and kids manage to take it off without me, of course not put it back on though. Lol

I didn’t even see any at 16 mil, glad I did 12 instead of 8

 

[Maurino17]

 

[Maurino17]

I am just a little disappointed it doesnt fit perfectly even though I got 16. 24 oval for my 16 24 pool.
Seems to be it should be perfect and they recommended cutting it

 

[sktn77a]

Yes, most people just get a rectangular cover (they are the least expensive) and then just trim them to the exact side with scissors.

 

[pooldv]

Grab some scissors and run around the edge one time and it'll be good. Most covers that I've cut just slice right off, no scissor-action required.