We have long been going back and forth about the ultimate pool cover. Nothing has felt quite right, and now we're considering trying to build our own solution.
My Spanish dad suggested that many of his neighbors have pool covers on rails that are hoisted straight up in the air, forming a roof when the pool is open. I can't find anything about this anywhere, but it seems like a fantastic idea!
This is a very new idea for us, so we haven't really started planning yet. It would be interesting to bounce some thoughts off you!
Thoughts so far:
What available lifting devices are there? It should be able to lift 2-2.5 m...
Frame made of wood or metal? The pool is round with a diameter of 5m
Any other spontaneous thoughts? Is there a reason why this isn't a common solution?
My Spanish dad suggested that many of his neighbors have pool covers on rails that are hoisted straight up in the air, forming a roof when the pool is open. I can't find anything about this anywhere, but it seems like a fantastic idea!
This is a very new idea for us, so we haven't really started planning yet. It would be interesting to bounce some thoughts off you!
Thoughts so far:
What available lifting devices are there? It should be able to lift 2-2.5 m...
Frame made of wood or metal? The pool is round with a diameter of 5m
Any other spontaneous thoughts? Is there a reason why this isn't a common solution?
Here, it's important to think about safety.
Should the pool cover in the lowered position also serve as protection against someone falling into the pool, or is the pool fenced off?
If other protection is in place, it can be a lightweight construction, similar to an umbrella.
But if this is to be the protection, i.e., possible to walk on, it becomes much heavier. Then you should consider how to secure it from falling down when people are underneath it.
Lifting mechanisms need to have double safety; think roughly that if a lift cable breaks, the protection shouldn't fall. You can lift a "lid" with an electric winch, but then the lid must be secured with other latches that can hold it if the cable or lifting mechanism breaks.
If you have space, perhaps a lid that swings to the side is a simpler solution.
A simple and lightweight construction can be PVC pipes, 16m, bent into a circle with a stretched plastic sheet (e.g., a tarpaulin). Three wires that come together into one, then to a small winch, electric or hand-cranked. Then a pole is needed next to the pool for the wire to go up to and out over the center.
Should the pool cover in the lowered position also serve as protection against someone falling into the pool, or is the pool fenced off?
If other protection is in place, it can be a lightweight construction, similar to an umbrella.
But if this is to be the protection, i.e., possible to walk on, it becomes much heavier. Then you should consider how to secure it from falling down when people are underneath it.
Lifting mechanisms need to have double safety; think roughly that if a lift cable breaks, the protection shouldn't fall. You can lift a "lid" with an electric winch, but then the lid must be secured with other latches that can hold it if the cable or lifting mechanism breaks.
If you have space, perhaps a lid that swings to the side is a simpler solution.
A simple and lightweight construction can be PVC pipes, 16m, bent into a circle with a stretched plastic sheet (e.g., a tarpaulin). Three wires that come together into one, then to a small winch, electric or hand-cranked. Then a pole is needed next to the pool for the wire to go up to and out over the center.
Good thoughts! The enclosure for the yard means the "roof" doesn't really have to be fall-proof. However, we want it to work as winter cover, so it needs to withstand some snow load.
It would also be great if the roof provided some insulation. I'm thinking maybe a construction with channel plastic?
Since we don't have space around the pool to "gather" any of the standard covers, a swingable roof doesn't feel optimal. I was drawn to the space efficiency of storing the roof above the pool.
Spontaneously, I'm thinking of 4 posts where the pool is hoisted to the desired height. Good input with extra securing! Maybe some type of pins that are put in after hoisting?
It would also be great if the roof provided some insulation. I'm thinking maybe a construction with channel plastic?
Since we don't have space around the pool to "gather" any of the standard covers, a swingable roof doesn't feel optimal. I was drawn to the space efficiency of storing the roof above the pool.
Spontaneously, I'm thinking of 4 posts where the pool is hoisted to the desired height. Good input with extra securing! Maybe some type of pins that are put in after hoisting?
I have been thinking about this myself since there is a lot of hassle with protection that you have to take on and off. If you have 2 posts on each side and then lift it and anchor it in some way. Have you managed to create a roof that is also protected during wintertime?