By Michael Willis
Over the last decade, watershape designers and builders have been pushing the limits of what can be created with water. Even in cold climates, builders are incorporating features what were thought only to be possible in regions with warmer weather, where the limitations are fewer. Building pools in cold regions requires excessive engineering and solid construction techniques to be able to withstand the yearly onslaught of snow, ice, and frost. As the temperature drops, it is an inevitable fact that most pools, spas/hot tubs, and water features go through some sort of winterization or seasonal shutdown.
Next to the purchase of a home, a backyard project is generally the second largest investment a homeowner will ever make. Some may be hesitant to invest a significant amount of money towards something that may only be used a short period of time, as the money invested in a project is directly linked with the usability of the pool and, unfortunately, pools are closed almost as long as they are open due to Canada’s short swimming season. This is the time when designers and builders can step in and explain the many benefits of owning a pool, spa/hot tub, or water feature that is equipped with some form of cover—whether an automatic cover or a winter safety cover.
Great value can be placed on the ability to commence the swimming season sooner, and extend it into the colder months, with the simple use of a pool cover. With the correct design and construction considerations, it is even feasible to continue using the waterscape year-round.
Benefits of adding a cover to a project
With safety being the top concern with any body of water, a cover offers peace of mind that the pool and or spa/hot tub is a safe and secure environment when it is not being used. Drowning is the second leading cause of preventable death for children under 10, while those under the age of five are most at risk. By adding a safety cover, the potential risk of drowning is reduced. While a cover is a great safety element, it is not a replacement or substitution for proper supervision of children or individuals in the pool area.
The benefits extend beyond just safety, however. For instance, a cover leads to a more energy conscience design with added heat retention, lower circulation requirements, decreased chemical consumption, less water makeup needed due to evaporation, ease of installation/removal, and the added overall esthetic appeal. Installing any type of cover will cost more up front, but the long-term return on investment (ROI) can be significant.
Cover types
Safety covers can be grouped into two categories:
- Winter safety covers, solid and mesh.
- Automatic covers, traditional track automatic safety covers and floating slat covers.
Automatic covers
With the increase of pool and spa/hot tub automation, the integration of automatic covers into today’s watershape designs makes perfect sense. With the push of a button, turnkey, or coded keypad, homeowners are able to open or close an automatic cover with ease.
Automatic safety covers are one of the best components of a multi-barrier backyard safety system. Once closed, the surface of the pool is sealed, eliminating the possibility of access by a child or adult. Initial costs may appear intimidating to homeowners, but the overall benefits tend to make these products a worthwhile purchase. Since most heat loss and water usage is caused by evaporation, simply covering the pool can help reduce heating expenses by 70 per cent and pool refill costs by up to 90 per cent. Sanitation and maintenance expenses are also reduced, as less debris enters the pool, thus reducing chemical consumption, which is also lowered by the decrease in chemical evaporation.
The basics
Most traditional track automatic safety covers are equipped with similar components and mechanical features. Installation procedures and methods vary slightly from manufacturer to manufacturer, but for the most part are the same. Automatic floating slat covers function similar to traditional automatic safety covers, but differ in some components and installation procedures.
The type of cover selected depends on the functionality of the cover in relation to the design of the watershape and the desired use by the client. The major difference between these covers is deciding on a system that simply shields the pool or one that provides security.
Both offer most of the same features and benefits; however, the one difference is the safety aspect, as a floating slat cover does not seal at the water’s edge and, thus, is not approved as a safety cover.
