Solar Blanket Differences?

[NullQwerty]

Hey folks,

I just ordered a Solar Blanket from Namco (chain pool store). It's 12 MIL and for an 18X36 pool it was on sale for $88. Lowes has an 8 MIL for about the same price. The Local pool store has a 12 MIL for $150.

Few questions:
1) Other than thickness, what other considerations are there when looking for a solar cover?
2) I can still cancel my order, so is there any feature/attribute I should be looking for (that maybe the one from the Local Pool Store is giving me)?
3) Is it true that the thicker the solar blanket, the better?

Thanks a lot!

[bbb]

A lower quality solar blanket that is used beats a higher quality solar blanket that isn't used every time.

My "from left field" response:

The quality of the solar blanket *reel* is much more important than the quality of the solar blanket itself - so the reel is the best place to invest your money, in my opinion. My reel makes it easier for me to use the blanket every day -- and the savings I find with heat pump usage, decrease in evaporation, and decrease in chlorine usage/SWG power level are significant.

There are advantages of clear vs blue vs black vs metallic, and there are already threads here that discuss them. The only negative I can think of for a thicker cover could be that it could weigh more and be thicker on a reel.

[NullQwerty]

I actually don't think I could buy a reel. I have an in-ground pool with a diving board on the end and a slide on the side. Because of the slide, I wouldn't be able to roll the reel along the pool.

The guy at the pool store said that they don't make stationary reels for in-ground pools. Is that true?

***EDIT*** Just called them up and now a different guy is saying the opposite. That they do have stationary reels for in-ground pools and that the full kit is around $130 or so.

[bbb]

I have a pool reel that is taller and goes *over* my diving board. I'll see if I can find a link to it


Edit: ok, found the link.

I use this, the HV 2000: http://www.poolsinc.com/sr_hv2000.html

I have a ladder part way down. I don't roll the reel down the length of the pool - I usually only roll it out of the way of the diving board when the pool is in use, and leave it just inside the diving board end for rolling/unrolling.

Also, mine sags, unlike what it says on the website there... but it doesn't affect operations much.

[Tredge]

There are also low-profile reels for under the diving board.

The thickness doesnt matter for heat retention, just for life of the cover.
Thinner covers rip apart faster.

Preventing evaporation is the goal for any cover. Accomplish that and you'll have a warmer pool. Colors make relatively minor difference.

[CarlD]

I disagree. I think thicker ones definitely retain heat better--and they "die" after 3 years just like the cheap ones.

I've had opaque-blue-on-top-black underneath, transparent blue and clear. They all last maxium 3 years and the warranty isn't worth a bucket of backwashed water. It's only if it de-laminates, not if all the bubbles all fall off in your pool.

I went from an expensive diamond 17mil clear to a blue transparent 12mil for just that reason--I'd rather spend $120 than $220 for a cover that will last 3 years.

But a good reel is definitely worth it. I had one of those plastic ones and the bearings even were plastic. They tore up and made it nearly impossible to turn. Now I have a metal one with steel bearings and, in its third season, it's like it's brand new.

[Tredge]

Deffinitely agree on a good reel. I regret cheaping out on that.
Spend the money and get a good one, plan on a new solar cover every three years.

I dont have a lot of direct experience with varying thickness but the science of it says most of your heat loss is in evaporation.
It's been my experience actually that removing the cover during the day and covering it back up every night nets me the warmest pool...even better than keeping it covered with a clear cover 100% of the time.

[CarlD]

Deffinitely agree on a good reel. I regret cheaping out on that.
Spend the money and get a good one, plan on a new solar cover every three years.

I dont have a lot of direct experience with varying thickness but the science of it says most of your heat loss is in evaporation.
It's been my experience actually that removing the cover during the day and covering it back up every night nets me the warmest pool...even better than keeping it covered with a clear cover 100% of the time.

I mostly agree. Still, I've found thicker seems to insulate better--remember: Heat rises. I think, though, that covered or uncovered depends more on the weather. If it's windy, covered DEFINITELY is better during the day--because of evap cooling. On a blistering hot sunny day, uncovered is better....and that's when you REALLY want to swim!

[NullQwerty]

I was thinking about going without a reel this season and just pulling it off. The guy at the pool store said it wouldn't be a problem doing that and that I'd be able to do is myself (young guy). Do you guys agree?

[Tredge]

Depends on the size I suppose. You can.....

I wouldnt do it.
1. Convenience - if its a pain in the neck, how often are you really going to do it?
2. Protection - The reel neatly rolls the cover up and the cover doesnt drag on edges or the ground. If you cut the cover's life in half or a third then you end up paying for a reel in the long run. (Good for the guy selling covers I suppose)
3. Keeping the pool clean. Not sure about your yard but I'd drag leaves and junk around if it wasnt on a reel.
4. Storage. The reel rolls out of the way neatly next to the pool when you need it. leaving the cover in a clump or folding it up is ugly and again inconvenient.

[CarlD]

I was thinking about going without a reel this season and just pulling it off. The guy at the pool store said it wouldn't be a problem doing that and that I'd be able to do is myself (young guy). Do you guys agree?

Even with a reel, unreeling it MUCH easier with 2. Without one, unless it's a 15' round, takes 2 people to either put it on or off. Still, it will be easier if you fan-fold it as you pull it off--much easier to put back on that way.

[DennyB65]

Dude, trust me on this. Unless you are VERY disciplined you will NEVER cover your pool w/out a reel. It will sit in a pile in the corner of your patio for the whole season. Been there, done that.

[simsjim]

I agree with everyone that recommends a good reel. I'll site a real world example. ~ sorry couldn't resist the pun.....

Both my aunt and I have in ground pools and we both use solar covers.
I have a reel, she does not.
She will actually come over to my pool, because she cannot take her cover off of her pool by herself. If I happen to be over there, I notice a mosaic of large burnt patches on her lawn, from where the folded solar cover sits when my uncle and her remove it together.

I cannot speak about the benefits of thickness, but I will say I am inclined to agree that going with the less expensive cover, and investing in a good reel will reap more benefit and pleasure than knowing you are squeaking out an extra two degrees with your super-thick solar cover. With the reel, and a bit of wondering back and fourth from one side of the pool to the other to keep the cover from wrinkling up during rolling, you can remove the cover yourself. A huge plus.

I bought a 12 mil blue cover and an aluminum and steel reel about 4 years ago. The reel is going strong, but I think this is the last year for my cover.

If you get a reel, dont forget to ask for the 'cover attachment kit'. This is just a bunch of straps, clips and velcro that allows you to leash the cover to the reel. FYI, I think if you use mail order pool supply houses you may fair a bit better in price, but you may want to consider the cost of the advice the person at the pool store has given you, and if its sound advice, the extra cost may be worth it.

One final caution. My reel came unassembled and the assembly of the reel was not difficult, but would not be something that someone who isnt good with tools could easily complete. The use of a hacksaw and a drill, in adddition to the normal screw-driver, pliers, measuring tape, etc was required for the reel I chose.


Peace,
James