The Complete Handbook of Pool Covers & Ground Cloths

Chapter 1: Understanding Pool Covers & Ground Cloths

A pool cover is not an accessory—it is a barrier between your pool and the environment, and the choice of what that barrier is made of, how it is fastened, and how it functions shapes every major decision you will make about pool maintenance, safety, liability, and cost for years to come. Before you can select, install, or maintain a pool cover, you need to understand what it is actually supposed to do, what forces work against it, and why different types exist at all.

At its simplest, a pool cover serves two primary functions: it prevents material from entering the pool, and it prevents water from leaving the pool. These sound identical, but they are not. The first protects water quality and safety; the second protects the pool structure and your operational budget. These goals often require different materials and methods, which is why the market has evolved multiple cover types rather than a single solution.

Why Pools Need Covers: The Real Problems They Solve

Water loss is a measurable cost. An uncovered 20,000-gallon residential pool loses approximately 2 inches of water per month in a moderate climate through evaporation alone. In arid climates, that rises to 4 or more inches. Every inch of water loss requires refilling, which means chemical adjustment, energy cost for heating, and eventual structural stress if the water level drops below the skimmer intake or causes the pool shell to settle unevenly. A ground cloth beneath