Which is a Better Inground Pool Cover - Mesh or Solid Vinyl?
For many inground pool owners, there will be a time when it makes sense to upgrade from the standard tarp-style winter covers to something a little more durable and secure. Generally speaking, tarp covers are not great pool covers and they typically need to be replaced after a couple of years or so.
If you're considering upgrading your cover when it's pool closing time, there's a good chance you're looking at mesh and solid vinyl covers. Below, we have provided a breakdown of the pros and cons of each to help you make your decision.
Mesh Covers
Pros
- There will generally be no work required during the offseason when using a mesh winter cover.
- Mesh covers tend to last a long time. Where a solid vinyl cover typically last seven to 11 years, a typical mesh cover lasts 10 to 15 years before it needs to be replaced.
- As the name implies, mesh covers are light - which means that usually only one person is needed to put the cover on or take it off.
- Mesh covers typically costs a couple hundred dollars less than solid vinyl covers.
- Most debris that collects on the mesh cover will dry and then blow away, which means the cover will usually only need to be swept off if there is a large snowstorm.
Cons
- With a mesh cover, sunlight, dirty water and fine sediment can pass through the cover and into the pool water during the offseason. This combination of light and sediment can promote algae and bacteria growth. The pool will likely need a thorough cleaning when it's opened in the spring.
Solid Vinyl Covers
Pros
- The primary advantage to a solid cover is that no sunlight or sediment gets into the pool during the offseason. This means the cover won't allow algae growth on the pool walls or bacteria to spread in the water, and there will be less cleaning to do when it's time to open the pool.
Cons
- Where the mesh covers allow water to pass through, the solid covers often require use of a submersible pump during the offseason.
- Solid covers are more cumbersome to put on and take off.
- A solid cover costs slightly more than a mesh cover.
If you're still not sure whether a mesh or solid cover is better for your inground pool, try reaching out to your pool service provider - they should be more than happy to offer their recommendations. If you have any general questions about pool covers or recommendations of your own, feel free to let us know in the comments.
