Mesh vs. Solid Winter Safety Covers in Maryland, DC, Virginia & West Virginia

For most homes in Maryland, DC, Virginia and West Virginia, mesh is the lower-maintenance winter safety cover. Rain and snowmelt drain straight through it, so there is no pumping. Solid covers block 100% of sunlight and give the cleanest spring opening, but they hold water on top and need watching after storms. Pick solid if you want the clearest water at opening and will manage the pump. Otherwise, pick mesh.

By the Calm Water Pools Team | Last verified: September 28, 2026

The current Latham models side by side

Calm Water Pools supplies custom Latham safety covers in mesh and solid. These are the four winter safety cover models Latham lists today:

Specifications are from Latham’s published lineup as of September 2026. Your quote confirms the exact model for your pool, and we give you that quote before anything is made. Warranty terms are Latham’s; ask us for the full warranty language.

Six questions that decide it in the Mid-Atlantic

1. How do your winters behave?

Winters here swing between rain, snow and thaw. Mesh drains all of it through the fabric. A solid cover holds water on top, so after heavy rain or a snowmelt it needs a cover pump, and standing water that freezes is harder to remove. Latham’s Invis-A-Drain system on the solid cover reduces the dependence on a pump, but it does not remove the need to check the cover.

2. How many trees are around the pool?

A solid cover keeps out leaves, dirt and debris entirely. Mesh keeps out leaves and most debris, and Latham says its ultra-fine weave filters particles down to 40 microns. Very fine silt and pollen can still pass through, so expect a short vacuum at opening. On a wooded lot, that is the main argument for solid.

3. How sunny is the yard?

Algae needs light. A solid cover blocks all of it. The 9000MX and 7000MS mesh covers block 99%, which is close. The 5000M blocks 91%, so it lets more light through and leaves less margin for chemistry mistakes. On a sunny lot with a history of spring algae, choose solid or one of the 99% meshes.

4. Where in the region are you?

The cold season starts earlier on the western edge. NOAA normals put the 3-in-10 first-frost date at about October 17 in Martinsburg, WV, and about November 12 in Washington, DC (Martinsburg, Washington, DC). Homeowners in Jefferson and Berkeley Counties, WV, spend more of the winter below freezing, which favors the no-pump simplicity of mesh. It also means ordering earlier. See when to order a winter safety cover.

5. How much winter work will you do?

Mesh is a set-and-forget cover: check the anchors and strap tension after big storms and temperature swings. A solid cover adds pump checks and hose management. If you travel in winter or do not want that job, mesh is the safer choice for your time. See pumps, ice and snow on a solid cover for what that job involves.

6. Do you have a fiberglass pool?

The fabric does not change the rule for fiberglass shells. The water level under any cover should follow your shell manufacturer’s written winter instructions, and a fiberglass shell should not be drained. See our fiberglass winterizing guide and what Latham and other makers publish in winter water level under a safety cover.

Our take

Most homes are best served by a 99% mesh cover, the 7000MS or the 9000MX. It handles Mid-Atlantic rain and snow without a pump and keeps the water in good shape. Choose the solid 1000HS if you have heavy tree cover, a sunny yard with a history of algae, or you want the cleanest possible opening and are happy to run a pump. The 5000M is the light, lower-shade option. Safety does not depend on which fabric you pick. Both types are anchored, load-tested safety covers built to keep children and pets out of the pool, and the fit and anchor tension are what make them work. Neither type replaces a required pool fence or barrier, so check with your county building department.

Calm Water Pools sells the cover; installation is not included. For the full ordering process, see our winter safety covers page, and for how long each fabric lasts, see What Is the Life Expectancy of a Pool Safety Cover? Our earlier short answer on this topic is Do Mesh Winter Pool Covers Work?

Frequently asked questions

Is a mesh or solid cover better for winter in Maryland, DC and Virginia?

For most homes, mesh, because rain and snowmelt drain through it and it needs no pump. Solid gives the darkest water and the cleanest opening, but it needs a cover pump after heavy rain or snowmelt.

Does mesh let algae grow?

Latham’s 9000MX and 7000MS mesh block 99% of sunlight, which leaves very little light for algae when the water is balanced at closing. The 5000M blocks 91%, so it leaves less margin.

Do solid covers need a pump?

Usually, after heavy rain or snowmelt. Latham’s solid cover has an Invis-A-Drain system that handles rain and melting snow, which reduces but does not eliminate the need to monitor water on top.

Which cover lasts longer?

Latham’s warranties run 25 years on the 9000MX, 20 on the 7000MS, and 15 on both the 5000M and the solid 1000HS. Actual life depends on fit, anchors and care.

Is a mesh cover as safe as a solid cover?

Both are anchored safety covers built and load-tested to keep children and pets out of the pool. Safety comes from a precise fit, sound anchors and correct tension rather than from the fabric. Neither replaces a required pool barrier, so confirm your local requirements with your county.

Does having a fiberglass pool change which cover I should choose?

No. Both types work on fiberglass pools. Follow your shell manufacturer’s written winter instructions for water level, and do not drain the shell.

Sources: Latham Pool, Solid and Mesh Winter Safety Covers (models, sunlight blockage, weight, warranty, drainage; checked September 2026); Almanac.com, Martinsburg, WV and Washington, DC (NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals). Model availability and specifications can change; your quote confirms the details for your pool.