People that have an automatic pool cover value the many benefits. However, construction standards have not traditionally made efforts to conceal the pool cover to retain the custom appearance desired by the homeowner.
Below are a few ideas to maintain the custom appearance starting from basic to more unique:
- Pool cover track and rope
- Pool cover tracks run the full length of the pool along both sides. Pool cover track is often very noticeable because it does not match the coping/decking or tile. However, tracks have been powder coated as an upgrade for decades with great success. Not only does powder coating enable use of a custom color to conceal the track but it also provides additional protection so it will last longer.
- Many pool covers use what is known as “tracer” rope, which is a white rope with specs of various colors from red to green to black. Rope runs inside of the pool cover track the full length of the pool and since there is a slot in the face of the track, any white “tracer” rope appears to be a racing stripe along the length the pool. Our Invis-A-Rope is gray so it is concealed in the shadows of the inside of the track. No racing stripes for our customers!
- Stone lids
- Pool cover systems are installed most commonly below deck during pool construction. Traditionally, a plain aluminum lid has been used to cover the in-ground box where the pool cover is housed so that no one can fall in when walking around the pool. The solution was practical but not custom. Over time, it has become more common for pool builders to cover the in-ground cover box with custom stone lids made from the same material as the coping. These lids look so much nicer and people using the pool can stand, walk, and sit on them.
- Stone lids – Hidden
- While stone lids are a vast improvement, there is yet more that can be done to conceal and improve the custom appearance. If the pool builder is aware of a customer’s desire and plans accordingly, they can build the pool and in-ground housing for the pool cover in a way that enables the pool cover to retract completely underneath the stone lid when removed off the pool. In order to accomplish this, the water level needs to be lowered slightly but most people don’t notice the difference, and if they do they still prefer it so they can have this most custom lid.
- Hidden offset
- The in-ground pool cover housing is typically offset for a motor on one end by about three feet. Covering this offset with stone lids is easy and looks great but when design is of highest importance, this offset can be concealed by making the lids continue the line of the coping with any lids outside of that being made from the same material as the decking. Doing so visually gives the appearance of the coping running uninterrupted around the pool so it looks great; many people wouldn’t even know there was a pool cover when removed for swimming.
- Raised wall
- Finally, in yards where raised planter beds and walls are a normal part of the landscape plan, using a raised wall to conceal the cover box is a cool and effective way to improve the aesthetics. In these situations, the pool builder works with an engineer to design a wall that can span the width of the pool without support so that the pool cover can move back and forth underneath it.
