What’s the Best Pool Cover for Your Backyard?

Let’s be honest: picking the right pool cover can feel more complicated than it should. Do you go for safety? Heat retention? Cleanliness? Something easy to take on and off? And what about those covers that claim to “do it all”—are they really worth $12K+?

At Nashville Dip Pools, we hear one version of this question almost every week:

“What kind of cover should I put on my pool?”

The truth? It depends on how you use your pool—and what keeps you up at night.

• Got kids or pets who might sneak out and wander into the pool area?

• Live in the woods and constantly battling leaves, sap, and tree junk?

• Hate the idea of wasting heat, water, or chemicals?

Let’s walk you through the three types of pool covers we trust, install, and recommend—and who each one is really best for. Spoiler: There is no “perfect” cover. But there is a best fit for your pool and your peace of mind.

1. Foldable Pool Cover (Think: hot tub style that folds up like a giant hardcover book)

This is the one we install most often for small pools, spas, or plunge pools. Ours is the Merlin Deluxe Spa Cover—sturdy, good-looking, and made to last.

Why people choose it

• Traps heat like a champ — keeps the water warm, reduces evaporation, and helps you save on heating.

• Keeps kids out — comes with locking straps and child-resistant mechanisms (ASTM F1346 compliant).

• Custom look — 14 color options to match your pool’s vibe.

• Backed by warranty — 3 years from Merlin.

What to know

• It’s not a full safety cover. It’ll stop a child from falling in, but it’s not meant to hold adult weight.

• You have to fold it off manually. Not hard—but not push-button easy either.

Price range: $2,000 – $3,000

Best for: Homeowners who want a durable, heat-saving, spa-style cover that’s kid-resistant—without spending five figures.

2. Floating Pool Cover (The lightest, simplest, “just cover it and forget it” option)

This one floats on the water itself—no hinges, no tracks. Ours is the Merlin Thermo-Light

Floating Spa Cover. Think: basic, effective, and super easy to move.

Why people choose it

• Saves heat + water — cuts down on evaporation and heat loss.

• Easy to handle — one adult can roll it up or pull it off.

• Keeps stuff out — leaves, bugs, pine needles? Not today.

• Includes warranty — 5 years from Merlin.

What to know

• This is not a safety cover. Don’t expect it to hold anything heavier than a squirrel.

• It reduces evaporation and heat loss but still allows some

Price range: $2,000 – $3,000

Best for: Budget-conscious homeowners who want basic cleanliness and energy savings without worrying about safety coverage.

3. Automatic Retractable Pool Cover (The gold standard: push a button, and your pool is sealed tight)

This is the Cadillac of pool covers—fully automatic, flush-mounted into the deck, and built like a tank. We partner with TN Pool Covers, a local Nashville company that installs only Cover-Pools® systems—the original creators of the automatic pool cover.

Why people choose it

• True safety cover — supports 485+ lbs (ASTM-rated), seals edges, and drains surface water.

• Push-button magic — open or close your pool in 30 seconds.

• Saves energy + water — the best in the business at trapping heat and reducing evaporation.

• Less cleaning, more swimming — keeps out dirt, debris, and all that Tennessee tree mess.

• Local support — installed and serviced by a Nashville-based team (not some national subcontractor). They provide a 7 year warranty on the fabric and a lifetime warranty on the mechanism.  

What to know

• It’s a big investment.

• Requires track installation, power hookup, and some prep work.

Price range: $12,000 – $15,000 (includes everything: cover, motor, tracks, install, electrical)

Best for: Families who want the highest level of safety, the convenience of automation, and a cover that does everything.

But What Does “ASTM Compliant” Actually Mean?

Great question. It’s one of the most misunderstood parts of pool cover shopping.

Here’s the short version:

• Spa-style covers (foldable or floating): They meet ASTM hot tub standards — meaning they help with insulation and prevent unsupervised child access (if you use the locks). But they’re not designed to hold real weight.

• Automatic pool covers: These meet full ASTM pool safety standards. They’re engineered to hold two adults and a child in a rescue situation (that’s where they get the 485 lb number from).

So if true safety is your top concern, there’s only one option: a full automatic retractable cover.

Still Not Sure Which One’s Right for You?

Here’s how we help homeowners decide:

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Ready to Figure Out Your Best Fit?

We’ll help you think through what matters most—budget, safety, convenience, heat retention—and give you honest answers.

Tap the button below or call us. Let’s get the right cover on your pool, so you can sleep better, swim easier, and protect what matters most.