Pool Safety Covers – Mesh and Solid

By Arctic Armor, Rayner and PoolTux

Dog on Custom Pool Cover

Safety covers are protective coverings designed to provide safety and security for pools, spas, and other outdoor features by preventing accidental entry, especially by children and pets. They are an essential part of pool safety and help keep the pool area safe when not in use, while also protecting the pool from debris, dirt, and weather elements.

Types of Safety Covers:

Mesh Safety Covers:

Material: Made from a high-strength woven mesh fabric, typically made of polypropylene or polyester with a special coating to resist UV rays and mildew.
Design: Mesh covers have a net-like design that allows rainwater and small debris to pass through, so there’s no pooling of water. They are designed to provide safety, while also allowing drainage of water from the cover.
Advantages:
- Water drainage: Rainwater flows through the mesh, preventing pooling on the cover.
- Lightweight: Mesh covers are usually lighter than solid covers, making them easier to install and remove.
- Ventilation: The mesh allows air circulation, preventing the buildup of mold or mildew.
- Durability: They are generally UV-resistant and long-lasting, though they may require cleaning occasionally.
Safety: Mesh covers are designed to hold weight, such as the weight of a person, and prevent accidental falls into the pool.

Solid Safety Covers:

Material: Made from reinforced vinyl or other durable, waterproof materials.
Design: Solid covers are non-porous, which means they do not allow water or debris to pass through. This can help prevent debris from getting into the pool but may require a drainage system (like a pump) to keep water from pooling on top of the cover.
Advantages:
- Complete coverage: Provides a solid barrier that blocks the sun, preventing algae growth, and keeps debris out of the pool.
- Enhanced safety: These covers are often stronger than mesh covers and can hold more weight, offering an even higher level of safety.
Safety: Solid covers are typically strong enough to withstand the weight of a person walking or falling onto them, and they prevent animals or children from gaining access to the pool area.

Key Features to Look For:

Strength and Durability: A good safety cover should be strong enough to withstand the weight of a child or pet that might accidentally fall onto it. Many covers are rated for high weight capacities, ensuring safety. UV resistance is crucial to prevent the fabric from deteriorating under constant sun exposure.
Custom Fit: Safety covers should be custom-made to fit the shape and size of your pool. This ensures full coverage and no gaps that could compromise safety.
Easy to Use: For mesh covers, manual installation typically involves securing the cover with anchors or straps around the pool’s edge. Solid covers might require pumps to remove standing water.
Anchor System: Covers are usually attached to the pool deck via anchor points that are drilled into the pool’s surrounding area. These anchors provide a secure connection and ensure the cover stays in place.
Water Drainage: Mesh covers allow water to drain through naturally. For solid covers, a drainage system or pump is needed to remove rainwater from the top of the cover to prevent the build-up of weight.
Ease of Cleaning: Mesh covers require regular cleaning to prevent the accumulation of debris and to maintain proper drainage. Solid covers, while better at keeping debris out, may need a pump or drain panel to drain off collected water and a cleaner to remove dirt from the cover’s surface.

Benefits of Safety Covers:

Prevents Drowning Accidents: The primary function of a safety cover is to prevent accidents, particularly drowning incidents. It creates a barrier that children, pets, or wildlife cannot easily get past, providing an extra layer of protection when the pool is not in use.
Protection from Debris: A pool safety cover helps keep the pool clean by preventing leaves, twigs, insects, and other debris from falling into the water, reducing the need for cleaning and maintenance.
Increased Pool Lifespan: Keeping your pool covered during the winter helps protect it from the elements, reducing the amount of exposure to sun, wind, and debris. This can help extend the life of your pool by minimizing wear and tear on the liner, equipment, and chemicals.
Energy Savings: A safety cover can help reduce energy costs by keeping the pool’s water temperature more stable. This is especially beneficial in colder months, as the cover helps retain heat.
Aesthetics and Cleanliness: A well-fitted pool safety cover can improve the overall look of the pool area when it’s not in use, keeping the pool area looking tidy and clutter-free.

Note: It is usually less expensive to purchase a rectangular cover that will cover your non-standard size pool or irregular shaped pool. But what most dealers will NOT tell you is that this will void the warranty with the manufacturer. This is true for ALL manufacturers’ warranties. So please keep this in mind before ordering a rectangle cover for your Grecian, Roman, Oval, or Freeform pool.

ALL SAFETY COVERS FOR ANY POOLS SHAPED OTHER THAN A RECTANGLE ARE CONSIDERED CUSTOM COVERS.

Description	Available Colors	Warranty	Weight	Burst / Break Strength	Comments
Arctic Armor – Mesh	Blue, Green	18 Year / 2 Full	4 oz/yd	4,000 lbs	93% Shade, Lightweight, Rugged, Durable, Economical, Made of Super-Strong Two-Ply Mesh, Reinforced Wear Strips on Underside of Cover to Guard Against Cover Abrasion and Fraying, Multi-Seamed Stitching Ensures Safety and Prevents Wear and Tear. Includes NEW HARDWARE, STORAGE BAG, INSTALLATION TOOL AND FREE SHIPPING!!!
Arctic Armor Ultra Light – Solid	Blue, Green	20 Year / 2 Full	7 oz/yd	4,000 lbs	100% Shade, 35% Lighter Than Most Solid Covers, Resist Tears, Rips, Chlorine and Sun Damage and Insure That Your Pool is Crystal Clear When You Open it Each Spring.The Patented Center Drain Catches the Finest Dirt and Debris but Still Allows the Cover to Drain. Includes NEW HARDWARE, STORAGE BAG, INSTALLATION TOOL AND FREE SHIPPING!!!
Arctic Armor – Super Mesh	Blue, Green	20 Year / 2 Full	5 oz/yd	4,000 lb	98% Shade, Stronger Than Standard Mesh Material and Able to Withstand Heavy Snow Loads and Extreme Wind, Allows Water to Seep Through the Cover but Filters Out All But the Finest Debris, Increased U.V. Stabilizers Embedded in Super Mesh Keep Your Cover Like-New. Includes NEW HARDWARE, STORAGE BAG, INSTALLATION TOOL AND FREE SHIPPING!!!
Arctic Armor – Commercial Mesh	Black	30 Year / 3 Full	15 mil	5,200 lbs	93% Shade, High Quality Industrial Grade Fabric, UV Inhibitors Mean This Commercial Cover Will With Stand Years of Intense Sunlight, Reinforced Straps and Super Tough Mesh Means the Cover Resist Deck Abrasion Much Better, Tight Weave, Less Algae Growth. Includes NEW HARDWARE, STORAGE BAG, INSTALLATION TOOL AND FREE SHIPPING!!!
PoolTux Royal Mesh	Blue, Green	15 Year / 3 Full	4.5 oz/yd	385 PSI	Pooltux’s Best Value Cover, Tightly Woven Mesh Allows Rainwater and Melted Snow to Flow Through the Cover, Superior Tensile Strength and Abrasion Resistance. Includes NEW HARDWARE, STORAGE BAG, INSTALLATION TOOL AND FREE SHIPPING!!!
PoolTux King99 Mesh	Green, Blue, Tan	20 Year / 5 Full	7 oz/yd	670 PSI	Blocks approx 99% of Sunlight Which Inhibits Algae Growth, Heavy Duty Webbing Where Needed Most, Commercial Grade Mesh, Anti Rub Strips Where Needed to Protect Cover and Coping. Includes NEW HARDWARE, STORAGE BAG, INSTALLATION TOOL AND FREE SHIPPING!!!
PoolTux Emperor Solid	Blue, Green	20 Year / 5 Full	12 oz/yd	400 PSI	Commercial Grade, Heavy Duty Solid Material, Aquaduc Drain Runs from End to End to Prevent Puddling. Includes NEW HARDWARE, STORAGE BAG, INSTALLATION TOOL AND FREE SHIPPING!!!
Rayner – Mesh	Blue, Green, Chocolate, Gray, Black	17 Year Limited / 3 Full	13 mil	350 PSI	91% Shade, Full webbing on top and bottom, Rubber Abrasion strips at each strap, Vinyl wear-pad for protection of inside corners. Includes NEW HARDWARE, STORAGE BAG, INSTALLATION TOOL AND FREE SHIPPING!!!
Rayner – Mighty Mesh	Blue, Green, Chocolate, Gray	20 Year Limited / 5 Full	18 mil	670 PSI	98% Shade, Full webbing on top and bottom, Rubber Abrasion strips at each strap, Vinyl wear-pad for ptotection of inside corners. Includes NEW HARDWARE, STORAGE BAG, INSTALLATION TOOL AND FREE SHIPPING!!!
Rayner – Solid	Blue, Green, Chocolate, Gray, Black	7 Year Limited / 3 Full	40 mil	670 PSI	100% Shade, Full webbing on top and bottom, Rubber Abrasion strips at each strap, Vinyl wear-pad for ptotection of inside corners. Includes NEW HARDWARE, STORAGE BAG, INSTALLATION TOOL AND FREE SHIPPING!!!