Solar Covers shapes, sizes, and best practices

[ZanyAnticsE]

It’s October and the weather is starting to cool off (lol, high 80s in North Texas), but I’m considering getting some 15 foot 8mm solar covers to extend pool season a bit longer into November. My question is do I need to invest in a single cover that fits my pool, or can I grab 2 15x15 circles which are a much cheaper option atm on Woot and just put them side by side? I don’t have a reel and don’t want to invest in those and 15 foot circles seem like they would be easier to store than a full size cover.

Pros and cons? And best practices you’d suggest?

 

[1poolman1]

It’s October and the weather is starting to cool off (lol, high 80s in North Texas), but I’m considering getting some 15 foot 8mm solar covers to extend pool season a bit longer into November. My question is do I need to invest in a single cover that fits my pool, or can I grab 2 15x15 circles which are a much cheaper option atm on Woot and just put them side by side? I don’t have a reel and don’t want to invest in those and 15 foot circles seem like they would be easier to store than a full size cover.

Pros and cons? And best practices you’d suggest?

It is quite common for even large solar covers to be cut into more manageable pieces for easy removal/installation after they have been cut to size and there is no reel.
To store the covers, they need to be dried, then folded, and kept out of the Sun, even in Winter. Leave them in the Sun and you will find that they may even be charred from the heat they store.
Also, don't leave them in the pool during Winter as the "bubbles" get brittle and when it rains they will break off and you will find them on the bottom of the pool.
Every cover I installed came with a warning sticker saying not to use them in Winter.

 

[ZanyAnticsE]

I ended up getting a 33x33 round and cutting the edges to cover most of the pool surface.

Can you confirm that the bubbles on the blanket face the water instead of the sun? I assume so since the bubbles increase surface area and would probably warm the water better. Just want to make sure!

 

[mknauss]

Can you confirm that the bubbles on the blanket face the water instead of the sun?

Correct.

 

[MarkHoop]

It’s October and the weather is starting to cool off (lol, high 80s in North Texas), but I’m considering getting some 15 foot 8mm solar covers to extend pool season a bit longer into November. My question is do I need to invest in a single cover that fits my pool, or can I grab 2 15x15 circles which are a much cheaper option atm on Woot and just put them side by side? I don’t have a reel and don’t want to invest in those and 15 foot circles seem like they would be easier to store than a full size cover.

Pros and cons? And best practices you’d suggest?

Here in Canada we use our solar cover religiously. It helps in keeping the pool clean and the heater barely runs once the pool comes up to temp in the late spring. The only thing you need to know is that solar covers are a disposable item for your pool. 2 years is a good life expectancy but for me it is worth it.