What Type of Pool Cover Is Best for Winter?
Short answer: choose a winter safety cover that matches your climate and maintenance style—usually mesh for heavy rain/snow and solid for maximum algae control. Below is a quick guide to help you decide, plus how Calm Water Pools can get you a perfectly fitted Latham® safety cover with a hassle-free pickup-and-measure process.
Ready to compare options? See our Winter Safety Covers page. (Read more)
Mesh vs. Solid: Which is better for your winter?
Mesh Safety Covers — best for wet, snowy winters
- Drains water & melt: Mesh lets rain and snowmelt pass through, so you won’t babysit puddles on top all season. That means fewer mid-winter chores. (Read more)
- Easier handling: Typically lighter, so spring opening and fall closing are simpler. (Read more)
- Clean, safe, and secure: Properly anchored safety covers protect kids and pets while keeping out leaves and branches. (Read more)
Best if: You get frequent rain/snow, prefer low maintenance, and don’t mind a touch more spring cleanup for ultra-fine silt.
Solid Safety Covers — best for mild, sunny winters
- Blocks sunlight: Starves algae over winter, so water often opens clearer in spring. (Read more)
- Catches fine debris: Helps keep out silt and organics for cleaner water at opening. (Read more)
- Requires a pump: A surface pump is needed to remove rainwater and prevent puddles from forming. (Read more)
Best if: Winters are sunnier/milder and you want the clearest spring startup possible—and you’re okay running a small cover pump.
Quick Selector
| Your winter reality | Pick this | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Lots of rain/snow | Mesh safety cover | Self-draining = fewer mid-season chores. (Read more) |
| Sunny stretches, algae worries | Solid safety cover | Blocks light to suppress algae. (Read more) |
| Want the lightest cover to handle | Mesh | Typically lighter and easier to move. (Read more) |
| Want the cleanest opening water | Solid | Keeps out fine debris & sunlight. (Read more) |
Either way, a safety cover (solid or mesh) anchors into the deck and is tensioned across the pool—this is what gives you real protection for kids, pets, and wildlife, unlike a tarp. (Read more)
Do I still need a winter cover if I own an automatic safety cover?
Yes—most manufacturers and builders recommend a dedicated winter safety cover instead of relying on an automatic cover through freezing weather. Winter covers are engineered for snow load, debris, and long-term off-season protection. (Read more)
How Calm Water Pools Makes It Easy
Calm Water Pools offers premium Latham® winter safety covers—custom-measured for an exact fit around your pool’s unique shape and features. You’ll get durable materials, heavy-duty hardware, and safety you can trust. (Read more)
No installations: We sell the covers; installation isn’t included.
Hassle-free measuring: Latham arranges free pickup of your existing cover, measures it for accuracy, and provides an exact quote before your new cover is made—so you know the fit and price up front. (Typical lead times vary by season.) (Read more)
Explore options and start your quote on our Winter Safety Covers page. (Read more)
FAQs
How long does a winter safety cover last?
With reasonable care, many quality safety covers last 10–15 years. Material choice (mesh vs. solid), climate, and maintenance habits influence lifespan. (Read more)
Which cover is safest for kids and pets?
Both mesh and solid safety covers are designed to be tensioned and anchored for secure load support. Choose your fabric based on climate and maintenance, but insist on a safety-rated system—not a tarp. (Read more)
What about dogs running across the cover?
A properly installed safety cover is engineered for accidental loads. Mesh sheds water quickly (less slick), while solid reduces sunlight (less algae) but needs a pump to avoid puddles. Always supervise and keep the cover tensioned. (Read more)
Do I need to do anything during winter?
Yes: keep the cover tensioned, brush off heavy debris, and (for solids) pump standing water. These simple habits extend cover life and make spring opening easier. (Read more)
Bottom Line
- Pick mesh if you want the lowest maintenance in wet/snowy climates.
- Pick solid if you want the clearest spring opening in sunnier climates (and don’t mind using a pump).
- In all cases, choose a properly anchored safety cover sized and measured for your pool.
When you’re ready, compare options and request your quote on our Winter Safety Covers page. (Read more)
Questions? Call 240-372-4440 and we’ll help you choose the right Latham® cover for your winter. (Read more)