What Is the Best Way to Cover a Pool for the Winter?
The best way to protect your pool all winter—safely, cleanly, and with minimal hassle—is to use a professionally measured winter safety cover (solid or mesh) that anchors securely into your deck. Unlike tarps or makeshift solutions, a true safety cover keeps kids, pets, and debris out while minimizing spring cleanup. For a streamlined, exact-fit solution, see Calm Water Pools’ page on Winter Safety Covers. (Read more)
Why a Safety Cover Beats a Tarp (Every Time)
A safety cover is engineered to pull taut across your pool and lock into deck anchors, creating a sturdy barrier. Tarps sag, collect water, and can become dangerous for pets or children—and they make for a nasty cleanup when leaves and sludge accumulate. If you’re still on a tarp, upgrading to a safety cover is the smartest investment you can make for winter. (Read more)
Mesh vs. Solid: Which Should You Choose?
Both are excellent—your climate and preferences decide:
- Mesh safety covers drain rain and melting snow, so you won’t be pumping water off the surface all winter. They’re lighter and easier to handle during opening/closing. The tradeoff is that some fine debris and light may pass through, depending on the mesh grade. (Read more)
- Solid safety covers block 100% of sunlight to help suppress algae, and they keep out the finest debris. You’ll need a surface pump to remove standing water after storms. (Read more)
If you’re in a region with frequent winter rain or snowmelt, mesh’s built-in drainage can be a big convenience. If your top priority is the cleanest possible spring opening, solid wins. Either way, a measured safety cover is the “best way” to winterize. (Read more)
Get the Fit Right (It’s Everything)
A safety cover only performs as designed when it’s precisely measured to your pool’s shape, steps, and features. Calm Water Pools offers premium Latham® safety covers measured for an exact fit, with a simple process: ship your old cover (pickup arranged), it’s measured for accuracy, and you receive an exact quote before production. Calm Water Pools sells covers only; installation isn’t included. (Read more)
How Long Do Safety Covers Last?
With reasonable care, quality winter safety covers typically last 10–15 years. Off-season maintenance (like hosing off debris and storing the cover dry) will help you reach the upper end of that range. (Read more)
When to Close—and Why It Matters
Closing once water temps drop and stay cool helps prevent algae blooms and reduces chemical demand—then let the safety cover do its job through the off-season. A well-fitted cover blocks debris and, in the case of solid covers, sunlight, making spring openings faster and cheaper. (Read more)
Pet Safety and Peace of Mind
Worried about dogs or wildlife on your pool in winter? That’s another reason a true safety cover is the right choice—tarps can shift or collapse. Anchored safety covers are designed and load-tested to create a secure barrier. (Read more)
Quick Setup: The Easiest Way to Upgrade
- Request a pickup/measurement of your existing cover for an exact fit.
- Choose mesh or solid based on your climate and maintenance style.
- Approve your quote; production begins.
- Install the cover (installation not included).
For details and to start your quote, visit Winter Safety Covers. (Read more)
Bottom Line
The best way to cover a pool for the winter is with a custom-measured, anchored winter safety cover. Choose mesh for low-maintenance drainage or solid for maximum cleanliness—either option gives you safer, simpler, and cleaner winter protection than any tarp can provide. Start here: Winter Safety Covers. (Read more)