Summer pool covers

The thickness of summer pool covers is measured in microns and determines their durability against chlorine and their thermal insulation capacity.

To choose the right option for your usage habits:

• 180 to 250 microns: a lightweight option recommended for small above-ground pools or short swimming seasons.
• 300 to 400 microns: a high-strength standard for permanent in-ground pools, with greater thermal inertia overnight.
• Over 400 microns: maximum structural rigidity, suitable for withstanding intensive chemical treatments and frequent handling.

Greater thickness increases the cover’s weight, so it’s a good idea to install a mechanical system such as the Manual cover reel to make daily removal easier.

For a round above-ground pool, you need a floating thermal cover whose diameter exactly matches the inner dimensions of the steel wall.

The cover should rest on the water without folding over at the perimeter edges. If it extends against the structure’s walls, the wind can lift the material and disrupt the thermal effect. Gre’s compatible options offer a precise fit for standard models with diameters between 240 and 550 cm, while also protecting the Blue Gre liner Ø 350x120 for round pools from floating sediment buildup.

The main difference lies in the fastening method, the fabric’s physical buoyancy, and the product’s intended function.

Summer thermal covers float freely on the water with the bubbles facing down, retaining accumulated heat and reducing daily evaporation. They have no anchors or ground screws. In contrast, winter covers are opaque, heavy PVC tarpaulins secured with tensioners and perimeter anchors to the pool edge. They are designed to prevent algae photosynthesis and withstand accidental falls of leaves or external weight.

The side with the air bubbles must always face downward, in direct contact with the pool water.

This technical design allows the smooth upper side to absorb incoming solar radiation, while the lower air chambers conduct heat into the water. If placed upside down, the cover loses up to 40% of its heat-retention capacity, and the trapped air deteriorates prematurely from sun exposure. Make sure the blanket floats without mechanical tension, and remove it completely before applying chlorine shock treatments.

A polyethylene cover has an average lifespan of 3 to 5 swimming seasons if chlorine levels and ultraviolet exposure are properly managed.

Factors that directly shorten the material’s lifespan:

• Residual free chlorine levels consistently above 3 ppm in the pool.
• Imbalanced pH levels outside the optimal range of 7.2 to 7.6.
• Leaving the cover exposed to the sun on the roller without an opaque, reflective protective sheet.
• Dragging the cover over abrasive surfaces such as coping stones or rough-edged curbs.

No, summer pool covers are not a safety device and must never be considered a child-safety measure.

Because they are floating structures designed without rigid perimeter anchors, any weight on their surface will cause the material to sink immediately, creating a risk of entrapment. If you want to protect the pool perimeter against accidents, combine the thermal blanket with an approved safety fence or install a submersion alarm to alert you to any disturbance in the pool.

Yes, electric pool cleaners and hydraulic floor-cleaning systems can operate normally underneath a floating solar cover.

The cover remains suspended on the surface without obstructing the device as it moves along the pool floor. However, if the unit rises to the waterline or has floating hoses that protrude excessively, it’s a good idea to check during the first few operating cycles that they don’t get caught on the edges of the thermal cover.