As an Amazon Associate and affiliate of other programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

How To Cover An Above Ground Pool With A Deck? Should You Do It?

There are many ways to cover an above-ground pool with a deck. Use solid cover to winterize your pool. Use mesh cover if you don’t get a lot of snow in your area but would like to keep leaves out. A solar cover will keep your pool in good condition throughout the summer.

Thinking about winterizing your whole yard? Don’t know how to cover an above-ground pool with a deck

I got you covered (pun intended)! I know a couple of ways to protect your pool while it is not in use!

There are many different methods to cover an above-ground pool. But not every method works for a pool with a deck. Besides, some winter pool cover ideas are better than others.

If you want to know which pool cover is the best for your pool and the weather you live in, keep reading. You can find all answers you need in neatly organized sections below. Take a look!

3 Ways How To Cover An Above-Ground Pool With A Deck 

Winterize Your Pool With A Solid Cover

An above ground pool with a solid cover

Pros

A solid pool cover is the go-to winter pool cover for most people and by far the most popular option out there. A solid pool cover is an ideal option for people living in snowy areas because it is impenetrable and waterproof, and usually made from durable plastic or vinyl

Since solid pool covers are just that – solid – they keep snow, rain, leaves, twigs, and dust out of the pool. Consider buying this pool cover if you have a lot of trees in your yard that are prone to shedding.

A solid pool cover will also keep UV rays from degrading the chlorine in the water. This can help lower your pool maintenance bill. Another advantage is that solid covers are made bigger than a pool’s dimensions, so you can cover your pool and part of your deck, as well. 

Most solid covers have to be tied to the sides of the pool or the deck. They come with a cable that loops through the eyelets that run along the edge of the cover. You also have an option to buy a solid pool cover with water bags that keep the cover from moving and lifting in high winds. 

While on the topic, I highly recommend you buy an air pillow for your solid pool cover. It will keep ice from forming on the water surface if you live in a very cold area. This ingenious invention will complete your pool winterization! 

Here’s how you put a pool cover on by yourself:

YouTube player

Cons

Solid pool covers don’t let anything get into the pool. They collect anything and everything that falls on top of the impervious tarp.

Leaves, twigs, and trash that accumulate on top of the tarp are somewhat easy to remove. The bigger issue is the rain water that pools on top of the cover. It is heavy and hard to remove without a winter cover rain pump. Rainwater makes taking off the pool cover so much more difficult. 

That’s exactly why I don’t recommend buying a solid pool cover for rainy climates unless you plan on buying a good cover pump with it or building a pavilion over your pool

Use A Mesh Pool Cover If You Get Lots Of Rain

Mesh cover over a swimming pool

Pros

A better alternative for those who live in a humid climate is a mesh cover. Unlike solid covers, mesh covers are not waterproof. The fine knitted net allows the water to go through. The rain water won’t pool on top of the cover, which makes for easy removal.  

Not to worry! Despite thousands of tiny holes in the surface, your mesh cover will keep most of the yard debris at bay. They are strong enough to collect heavy litter and defy outdoor elements like heat, rain, snow, and wind. A high-grade mesh cover will last you for a couple of years before it tears. 

Mesh covers also run larger in size, so you can cover a part of your deck too. They are easy to install and remove thanks to the loopholes running along the edges.

Click here if you want to learn how to keep pool cover from sagging!

Cons

Since mesh covers are permeable, they are not the best for pool winterization. They won’t keep the snow and ice out of your pool or minimize algae growth. Although mesh covers are finely knitted, they can’t collect finer particles of yard debris and dust

Use A Solar Cover In The Summer

A solar cover installed over a swimming pool

Pros

A solar cover looks just like bubble wrap, only it’s thicker and more durable. The air that is trapped in tiny bubbles makes a good insulator. That’s why the main role of a solar cover isn’t keeping the leaves out, but keeping the water warm!

Solar covers are designed to minimize water temperature loss during the night and reduce water evaporation during the day. They are ideal for hot climates and weather with drastic day to night temperature swings

Having a solar cover is a must for people who use a pool heater. Without it, warmth is quickly lost through the water surface. The solar cover will ultimately help you lower your heating expenses and also pool chemical costs. Yes, solar covers reduce the degradation of chlorine too!

When you lay the solar cover on top of the water, it keeps the leaves and twigs out, as well. It doesn’t need to be tied or secured to the pool, which is a plus.

A good way to use a solar pool blanket is to keep it on only at night and take it off during the day to let the sun heat up the water naturally. Unless you are worried about losing too much water due to evaporation! Then, you can keep the cover on the whole time you’re not using the pool and let the water warm up slowly and steadily.

YouTube player

Cons

The biggest miscommunication is that solar covers heat up the water. They don’t! They only help retain the temperature of the water. 

Another thing you may not like is that solar covers have to be cut to the size and shape of the pool to fit the water surface. Unless, of course, you find a cover that perfectly matches the dimensions of your pool and deck! 

Keep in mind that low-grade solar cover won’t last you more than one season. They lose their effectiveness once the air bubbles burst. It may be better to spend a little bit more on the product so you can get at least three seasons out of it.

Why You Should Cover Your Pool

Wooden deck of an above-ground pool

Here are some of the reasons why you should cover your above-ground pool with a deck:

  1. Keep Your Pool Clean: A pool cover will help keep your pool clean. A layer of material laid on top of the pool will keep leaves, twigs, and other yard debris out of the water. You won’t have to clean your pool as often, which is a win in my books!  
  1. Limit Evaporation: During the summer heatwave, you can lose up to two inches of water per week, if not more. A pool cover will help you minimize water evaporation and help you lower your water bill. 
  1. Ensure Safety: If you have kids or pets running around your yard, a pool cover will keep them safe. It will lower the risk of drowning and injuries.
  1. Keep Animals Out: Wild animals love to drink out of the pool in summer when there is a water shortage. Some don’t hesitate to take a dive to cool down a bit. A pool cover keeps animals from dirtying the water and possibly drowning in it
  1. Reduce Chemical Loss: UV rays break down chlorine. By putting on a pool cover, you will extend the shelf life of chlorine. A pool cover can help you lower your pool chemical bill since you won’t have to treat water as frequently.
  1. Protect The Pool Liner: UV sunlight also degrades the quality and look of your above-ground pool liner. Prolonged sun exposure will cause irreversible damage to it. A pool cover will help you preserve your expensive investment.  

FAQs

Should I cover my above ground pool every night?

You should cover your above ground pool every night to retain the temperature of the water. An overnight pool cover will also keep the pool clean from leaves, dust, and critters that can drown in the water.

Should I cover my above ground pool for winter?

You should cover your above-ground pool for winter if you want to prevent damage to the pool surface, stains, and algae growth. If you don’t cover your pool in winter, your beautiful blue pool will turn into a green mess. Covering the pool in winter is highly recommended.

Should I cover my above ground pool in the summer?

You should cover your above-ground pool in the summer to prevent water evaporation and chlorine degradation. A pool cover will also reduce water temperature loss at night and keep your pool free of debris, dust, and thirsty critters

When should you cover your pool?

You should cover your pool when the temperature of the water averages below 65 degrees. It is also recommended that you use solar cover throughout the whole swimming season to reduce water evaporation during the day and heat loss at night.

Can I leave my pool uncovered?

You can leave your pool uncovered in the winter. Still, it is highly recommended that you cover it to protect your pool from stains, damage, and algae growth. If you don’t cover your pool in summer, you can lose up to 2 inches of water per week due to evaporation.

Are there hard covers for above ground pools?

There are hard covers for above ground pools called retractable pool covers or sliding deck pool covers. Not all retractable pool covers are hard. Those that look like window blinds are. Sliding deck pool covers are completely solid and act as an extension of your deck. 

Now You Know How To Cover An Above-Ground Pool With A Deck 

You’ve made it to the end! Now you know how to cover an above-ground pool with a deck.

You can use a solid pool cover like this one for winterization or use a mesh cover if you get milder winters in your region.

I also highly recommend you use a solar cover in summer when your pool is not in use. It will reduce water evaporation during the day and prevent temperature loss at night.

What do you think? Let me know in the comments below, and feel free to ask any questions. I would love to hear your thoughts!

About The Author

  • Nadya Jones

    Nadya's the creative mind behind this blog, sharing her passion for landscaping, gardening and making spaces that nourish the soul. An entrepreneur and writer based in Raleigh, NC, Nadya turns imaginative ideas into inspiration, fueling home and garden dreams. Though Nadya crafts gorgeous posts and photos showcasing lush yards or blooming gardens, the real magic happens behind the scenes where Nadya's partner Brett provides endless support, implementing each vision with care and dedication. Brett's the one ensuring her creative concepts come to life. At heart, Nadya remains an imaginative soul, forever dreaming of whimsical details, vibrant hues and lush landscapes. Each manicured edge or blossoming bloom fuels inspiration, expanding her vision of what's possible in design and life. She shares her love for landscaping, gardening, and outdoor design in her blog, the one you are visiting right now. If you are interested in the same things, be sure to check it out! Also, follow Nadya on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Flickr!

Photo of author

About The Author

Nadya Jones

Nadya's the creative mind behind this blog, sharing her passion for landscaping, gardening and making spaces that nourish the soul. An entrepreneur and writer based in Raleigh, NC, Nadya turns imaginative ideas into inspiration, fueling home and garden dreams. Though Nadya crafts gorgeous posts and photos showcasing lush yards or blooming gardens, the real magic happens behind the scenes where Nadya's partner Brett provides endless support, implementing each vision with care and dedication. Brett's the one ensuring her creative concepts come to life. At heart, Nadya remains an imaginative soul, forever dreaming of whimsical details, vibrant hues and lush landscapes. Each manicured edge or blossoming bloom fuels inspiration, expanding her vision of what's possible in design and life. She shares her love for landscaping, gardening, and outdoor design in her blog, the one you are visiting right now. If you are interested in the same things, be sure to check it out! Also, follow Nadya on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Flickr!

1 thought on “How To Cover An Above Ground Pool With A Deck? Should You Do It?”

  1. What about an above ground pool that has a deck around it?

    We don’t want the wood around the pool to get wet/stained every winter from it.

    What are your options?

    Reply

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.