Solar and Winter Covers???

[lpasseri]

I have a 24' Above ground pool in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. This is the 3rd season for our pool and already the solar and winter covers are shot. Can any of you suggest a well made solar and Winter cover that won't break the bank? The winter cover only has been used for 2 winter seasons. Maybe they are cheap because they came with the pool when we bought it. Any info would be so appreciated. Thank you.

Lisa

[PoolDoc]

I think covers can be divided into two categories: those that don't last very long (often 2 years or less), and those that last over 10 years. LoopLoc (http://www.looploc.com) & and Meyco (www.meycoproducts.com) covers fall into the second category; virtually all other covers fall into the first category.

The guys at the local SCP pool wholesaler joke about their 1, 2, & 3 year winter covers, where a 1 year cover = a cover with a 2 - 3 year 'warranty; a 2 year cover = a cover with 5 year 'warranty', and a 3 year cover = one with a 7 year 'warranty'.

There are also other mesh cover makers, besides LoopLoc and Meyco. The oldest, Anchor Products (http://www.anchorpool.com), should be avoided. They sell covers that are almost as expensive as LoopLocs, but that last only half as long. Also, the plastic winter cover makers have also jumped in and out of the mesh cover market, but haven't really been available long enough, or consistently enough to tell how they compare.

Transparent solar covers -- almost by definition -- aren't durable. It's very hard to make a plastic that is flexible, cheap, transparent AND resistant to UV.

Best wishes,