Swimming Pool Solar Covers — A Complete Guide

A solar cover for a pool is probably the single most cost effective investment a UK pool owner can make. They’re simple, relatively inexpensive, and the difference a solar cover makes to water temperature and running costs is significant — yet it’s one of the most overlooked pieces of pool equipment there is.

What is a Solar Cover?

A solar cover — sometimes called a solar blanket or pool with solar cover — sits directly on the surface of your pool water and works in two ways. First, it traps heat that the sun naturally warms the water to, preventing it escaping overnight. Second, the bubbles on the underside act like a lens, drawing additional warmth from sunlight down into the water. Think of it as a giant sheet of bubble wrap designed specifically for pools.

Thicknesses

Solar covers come in three main thicknesses — 400 micron, 500 micron and 600 micron.

• 400 micron — the entry level option. Lighter, easier to handle and cheaper, but less durable and won’t last as long in direct UV exposure. Typically lasts 3–5 seasons with reasonable care.
• 500 micron — the most popular choice for residential pools. A good balance of heat retention, durability and ease of use. Expect 5–7 seasons from a quality 500 micron cover.
• 600 micron — the premium option. Heavier and harder to handle without a roller, but significantly more durable and offers the best heat retention. Worth the investment for larger pools or pools used heavily throughout the season. Can last 7–10 seasons.

Colours

Solar covers come in a range of colours — typically blue, clear, silver and green — and the colour actually makes a difference to how they perform.

• Clear covers — allow the most sunlight to pass through into the water, maximising solar gain on sunny days. Best choice if your pool gets a lot of direct sun.
• Blue covers — the most common and offer a good balance of solar gain and heat retention. The blue tint reflects some UV which slightly reduces solar gain but improves longevity.
• Silver covers — reflect heat back down into the water rather than absorbing sunlight. Better suited to indoor pools or covered pool enclosures where solar gain isn’t relevant.
• Green covers — less common now and generally considered the least effective option. Largely a legacy product.

Benefits

The benefits of a solar cover for a pool are hard to argue with. Water temperature increases of 4–8°C are realistic on a well-exposed outdoor pool, meaning you get more swimming days out of the season without spending more on heating. Heat loss overnight is dramatically reduced. Evaporation is cut by up to 95%, meaning less water topping up and less chemical loss through evaporation, which directly reduces your chemical costs. A decent solar cover can pay for itself within a single season through chemical and heating savings alone.

Cons

They’re not without drawbacks. Handling a solar cover on a large pool without a roller is hard work — they’re heavy when wet and cumbersome. They need to be removed completely before anyone swims and stored properly. Left bunched up in a heap they deteriorate quickly. They also degrade over time in UV exposure regardless of quality, so budget for replacement every few years.

Costs

A solar cover for an average residential pool (8m x 4m) will typically cost between £150 and £400 depending on thickness and brand. A quality manual roller to store and deploy it adds another £200–£400. Electric rollers start from around £600–£800 and make life significantly easier on larger pools.

It’s worth buying quality — a cheap cover will bubble, go brittle and fall apart within a couple of seasons. Leading UK brands include Plastica, who use GeoBubble technology across their Sol+Guard 500, EnergyGuard and Apollo 400 ranges, and Aquamat, who have been manufacturing pool covers in the UK since 1962.

Solar Cover for Inground Pools

Solar covers for inground pools work in exactly the same way as above-ground covers but are cut to the specific shape and dimensions of your pool. Most suppliers will cut to size — including L-shapes, kidney shapes and pools with steps or Roman ends. Getting the right fit is important as gaps around the edges significantly reduce efficiency. Powell Pools can advise on the right cover and supplier for your specific pool shape.

How Long Will it Last?

With proper care — rinsed after use, stored correctly on a roller out of direct UV when not in use — a quality 500 micron cover should give you 5–7 seasons. Leaving it screwed up on the pool surround in full sun when not in use is the quickest way to destroy it.

Is it Worth it?

Yes, almost without exception. A solar cover for a pool is one of the simplest upgrades any pool owner can make. For the cost of a cover and roller, the savings in heating and chemicals over a season are significant. For any pool owner in the UK looking to extend their season and reduce running costs, a solar cover should be the first investment they make.