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The awning is a dense covering material, usually made from flexible PVC. A cheap option is a blanket made of two-layer polyethylene. A large pool awning is attached to a rigid frame. Bedspreads, covers, lids and other similar devices are in demand for open-type bathtubs. The awning prevents debris from entering, and on a hot day it accumulates solar energy, directing it to heat water.
Types of bedspreads
The pool cover differs in the material it is made from:
- For any type of pool, a two-layer film with air bubbles is considered the best cover. SOLAR is considered a popular bedspread manufacturer. The advantage of the material is its low weight. One person can easily cover the pool with bubble wrap. The blanket doesn’t even need to be attached to the sides of the bowl. Such awnings are sometimes called a blanket. The secret lies in the air bubbles. In fact, the bedspread is an excellent heat insulator. Air bubbles prevent the pool water from cooling down at night.Important! Cheap pool awnings will last a maximum of 2-3 seasons, and a two-layer film will last up to 5 years. The disadvantage of the bedspread is its high cost.
- PVC awnings for swimming pools have a durable structure. The disadvantage is the difficulty of storage.If the recommended conditions are violated, the PVC blanket will crack. The large weight of the awning makes it difficult to lay on a font with a diameter of more than three meters. The service life, subject to all conditions, is up to three seasons. A branded product will last about 10 years. The awning is used for any type of pool, but it is made individually according to the size and shape of the bowl. Manufacturers sometimes include inflatable and frame bathtubs with blankets or offer to buy them separately for a specific model.Important! The PVC awning is fastened with ropes to the posts of the frame pool.
- The bedspread is made of laminated polypropylene and looks like burlap. The awning is light and cheap. Typically, such covers are used for small inflatable hot tubs. The service life does not exceed two seasons. Fixation to the bowl is done with ropes.
If we consider in general the methods of fixing awnings to hot tubs, there are three types:
- rope fastening;
- SOLAR bedspreads without fixation;
- Difficult fixation to the frame on large fonts.
In everyday life, the most common is the rope fastening of the awning to the pool.
The need to use a bedspread
It’s not for nothing that manufacturers recommend a cover for a pool and even include some models of bowls as standard. Any cover will make it easier for the owner to care for the pool. Leaves from trees will not fall into the water of a covered bowl. The wind will not carry light debris or dust. Birds fly over the pool, and without an awning, droppings will end up in the water.
It is easy to pull the blanket over small bowls, which can be done daily. Covering large hot tubs is problematic, which determines the use of an awning in the following cases:
- the font is not used for more than two days;
- the bowl is located under the trees;
- winter preservation of the font.
For small inflatable and children's pools, the cover can be abandoned if there is a possibility of free discharge of dirty water.
The video talks about the pool awning:
Debunking myths
There is an opinion that a pool cover protects against all misfortunes and should last a long time, and other myths. In fact, the illusion is refuted by the facts:
- No blanket can completely protect water from pollution, much less from flowering. Manufacturers provide up to ten small holes on the awning. If it rains, water will flow into the bowl rather than pooling on the lid. Otherwise, under the heavy weight, the entire shelter will be too heavy to lift or will dive into the pool. Along with rainwater and drafts, dust enters through the openings, polluting the font. From blooming water in the pool an awning definitely won’t help, since the process occurs due to organic contamination.
- When buying a cover, you shouldn’t expect it to last longer than the pool. Blankets, like filter cartridges and bottom pads, are consumables. The service life of the awning depends on the quality, careful use and rarely exceeds 5 years. Belgian covers will last up to 10 years, but they are very expensive.
- There is an opinion that any swimming pool that goes on sale should be equipped with a cover. In fact, the manufacturer usually places a protective blanket on large sized hot tubs. The case is not an essential accessory. If necessary, the consumer buys it separately.
Having decided to install a pool, the owner considers all the nuances, deciding whether he needs to overpay for an awning or can do without a cover.
Nuances of choice
Retail outlets offer a huge selection of pool covers.The choice is based not only on the appropriate size, but there are a number of other nuances:
- In summer, a lightweight PVC fabric with a density of maximum 580 g/m is suitable.2.
- For winter preservation use covers with a density of at least 630 g/m2.
- The dark color of the cover is used for unheated swimming pools. The covers accumulate solar energy to heat the water. If the awning is stretched over a frame in the form of a canopy over a bowl, then preference is given to light colors that reflect the sun's rays.
- Cheap cases from unknown manufacturers will not last long. It is more profitable to buy a branded item.
- Bedspreads made of PVC material are only soldered. If they offer to buy a sewn awning, it’s a fake.
Awnings on large bowls will submerge in water without additional support. To hold the canvas, a frame is made from a metal profile. The cross-section of the metal structure elements is calculated taking into account the dimensions of the bowl. Stationary frames are installed for the entire life of the pool without the possibility of careful disassembly. Mobile sliding systems. If necessary, the frame can be disassembled.
Awnings
An expensive design is a pool canopy that protects the water from pollution and the entire recreation area from the scorching rays of the sun. Lightweight structures of low height are covered with a light-colored awning on top. The side part is covered with transparent curtains, protecting the resting place from wind and dust. If necessary, the curtains are removed or rolled up, leaving only the roof over the font.
High canopies represent a serious structure, where a combination of materials of different structures is practiced. The roof is usually made of polycarbonate. The side part is covered with an awning, sliding systems are installed, and glass is installed.Such a recreation area can even be equipped with heating for swimming in spring and autumn, when it is still cold outside.
Popular manufacturers
When buying an awning, you should not chase a low price. Disappointment will set in after the first season. Having decided on the type of shelter, pay attention to the manufacturer. Blinds from Belgian, German and French manufacturers are characterized by high quality. Examples are brands: Vogt, Ocea, DEL.
Canadian canvas covers under the HTS Synthetics Ltd. brand have proven themselves well. Among those available in terms of price/quality ratio, products from BestWay and Intex are popular. Manufacturers offer awnings of different densities and sizes, covers, bedspreads.
If the budget for organizing a vacation spot is unlimited, go straight to VOEROKA or PoolTechnics. Professional specialists will install a pavilion that protects the pool from precipitation, wind and debris.
Homemade bedspread
To sew an awning for a small country pool yourself, you will need waterproof material. It is advisable to give preference to a dark color to speed up the heating of the water. Particular attention is paid to the strength of the material. Thick PET burlap will do.
The shelter will be fixed with cables or ropes. The cover is provided with holes framed with metal rivets, or grooves are sewn together.
The process of making a bedspread consists of the following steps:
- Using a tape measure, measure the dimensions of the font, taking into account the slopes of the tarpaulin on the sides.
- The rolled material is cut into fragments. Patterns are cut out for a shaped bowl.
- The finished pieces are sewn together by machine.The seam is made strong, preferably double.
- Metal rivets with holes for rope are placed along the edges. You can sew a frame in the form of a groove and pull in the cable.
The homemade case is ready. All that remains is to provide fastenings on the bowl for tying ropes, and you can cover the font.
If the cover is made for a large font, you will additionally have to take care of the frame. Trusses are welded from a profile pipe or a ready-made structure is purchased from a specialized store.
