Solar cover thickness

[Aquaman7]

Hello,

I’m in the process of buying a solar cover and realize that there are different thicknesses . Besides from being thicker what are the benefits of having say a 12 ml compared to a 8, 10ml cover. I know the 12 ml will be heavier and more expensive but will it last longer? Retain heat better?

Thanks.

 

[Newdude]

Hey aqua man !!! The thickness does not matter for heat retention. Seran wrap would stop the same amount of evaporation as the thick cover.

If properly cared for (on a reel with a cover to protect from UV when not on the pool), and cover can last 5 years. If you are just dragging it off the pool by hand then you can all but expect it to only last a season, maybe two.

The thicker covers take more stress with putting on/off, but the bubbles are the same on all of them. If it lasts long enough to not rip/tear, the bubbles are always the failure point.

It’s pretty much a wash if you buy the cheapest cover you can find and replace it more often, or buy a thicker cover less prone to rips. But the thicker cover is much more of a PITA to use (especially when wet) so there is that to consider also.

 

[Aquaman7]

Thanks dude. What mil lightweight cover would you recommend?

 

[Newdude]

This one is a personal crud shoot for everybody but I would go in the middle with 12 if I did it again as slightly more durable than the 8 and less effort than the 16.

 

[PoolBrews]

My first one here in FL was a 6 mil cover. Loved it. Light weight and easy to take on and off with two of the DIY reels. Here in FL, I don't care what mil you get, the sun will kill the cover within 2 years, so the cheaper, the better.

In MI, I had 12 mil, but a much bigger and better reel, and in GA I had an 8 mil. Based on experience, if I could find a 4 mil, I'd grab it!

I'll need a replacement this fall, and I can't find anyone even selling a 6 mil cover anywhere - the lightest is 8 mil.

 

[Aquaman7]

Since you mentioned 6 mil. Let me just throw this out there... if the only purpose for the solar cover is to prevent evaporation why not go to Home Depot and buy a 6 mL visqueen and cut it to fit the shape of your pool?

 

[Newdude]

It won’t float well without the bubbles. We’d all be using tarps or clear plastic sheathing if they did.

 

[Aquaman7]

Ahhh. Makes sense.

 

[Newdude]

Seran wrap would do the job just as well from an evaporation standpoint. Boy what I’d pay to see you try and roll it up / reuse it.

 

[Aquaman7]

True. That would be hilarious.