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What are the Different Types of Pool Enclosures?

Dan Cavallari
Dan Cavallari

Pool enclosures can help keep a pool clean, private, and protected from the elements. Different types of pool enclosures exist, and they vary depending on the type of pool being covered, the size of the pool, and the desires of the buyer. Some pool enclosures are made from glass or other clear materials, while others are simply screens that keep bugs and debris from landing in the pool. Just about all pool enclosures are designed to withstand wind, rain, and snow; some enclosures are designed to withstand hurricane-force winds or greater.

A screen pool enclosure typically consists of an aluminum frame that holds a series of mesh screens in place. Such an enclosure helps keep bugs and debris away from the pool and the swimmers in and around the pool. It allows light to pass through, but the mesh screens cannot withstand the weight of snow or hail, so it would not be a good choice for regions that experience such conditions. For humid regions with no snow, however, mesh pool enclosures can keep pool guests out in the sun without the hassle of bugs.

A motorized pool tarp is a good way to protect a pool from debris.
A motorized pool tarp is a good way to protect a pool from debris.

A significantly more expensive but also more stable and strong design is the glass pool enclosure. Such pool enclosures also feature an aluminum frame, but it is generally thicker than that of the screen enclosure because it must support more weight. Glass windows are used on the sides of the enclosure, and swinging glass doors may be installed as well. The ceiling of the glass enclosure may feature glass, but more often, panes of a lighter, shatterproof material such as polycarbonate or Lexan® may be used. These are safer options because they will not shatter if for some reason they should fall from their places in the ceiling. Such materials are also less at risk of cracking under load from snow.

Some glass pool enclosures feature retractable roofs that allow the users to pull the roof back when the weather is nice. The aluminum frames are built on rollers, and the frame can be retracted by a motor, or more infrequently, by a hand crank. The roof can be easily positioned back to closed should the weather change. This feature is often much more expensive than just a regular glass pool enclosure, but it adds an element of adaptability and convenience to any pool.

Other pool enclosures are meant to be used when the pool is not in use. A tarp can be tied at the corners of the pool to cover the water and protect it from debris, animals, or other unwanted users. These tarps can also be made to retract by a motor mounted on one end of the pool, making covering the pool easy.

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    • A motorized pool tarp is a good way to protect a pool from debris.
      By: Moultipix
      A motorized pool tarp is a good way to protect a pool from debris.