Winter Pool Covers for Inground Pools

An inground winter swimming pool cover keeps leaves and debris out of a closed pool, and a solid cover also blocks the sunlight that feeds algae over the winter. This part of our inground pool covers selection includes solid, mesh, and leaf net covers for rectangle inground pools, with warranties from 4 to 25 years. Each cover is listed by the pool size it fits and is cut larger than the pool so its edges extend onto the deck; a 30' x 50' cover, for example, fits a 25' x 45' pool. Use the Size filter to see the covers that fit your pool, and review our inground winter cover best practices before installing.

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Choosing a Winter Cover for an Inground Pool

Choose a Solid, Mesh, or Leaf Net Cover

A solid winter cover blocks sunlight and keeps rain and snowmelt out of the pool, which helps limit algae growth and makes spring cleanup easier, though that water collects on top of the cover instead. A mesh cover lets rain and snowmelt drain through, so water does not build up on it, but it also lets some sunlight and fine silt through, which can mean more cleanup when the pool opens. A leaf net cover can be added to any pool cover and is intended to allow you to get those leaves and debris off your pool easily, and without removing the traditional winter cover.

Size the Cover to Your Pool

Order by the size of your pool, including any steps, rather than by the size of the cover. Every cover in this category is made for a rectangle pool and is cut several feet longer and wider than the pool it fits, leaving room along each edge for water tubes. Royal Swimming Pools winter covers accommodate a water level up to 18 inches below the top edge of the pool. If you normally lower the water more than 18 inches, order a larger size cover. Covering an above ground pool instead? See our above ground winter pool covers.

Match the Warranty to Your Winter Climate

Warranties in this category run from 4 to 25 years, and the Warranty filter narrows the list to the length you want. If you have mild winters with small amounts of debris or leaves, consider an economy cover such as the 8 or 12 year rated winter cover or even a mesh winter cover. For more severe winters with heavy snow, rain, leaves, and debris, a heavy duty cover such as the 20 or 25 year rated winter cover will suit your needs much better.

Inground Winter Pool Covers FAQs

How do I hold an inground winter cover in place?

Use water tubes or aqua blocks around the edge of the cover; they are sold separately from the cover itself. Avoid bricks, sharp blocks, or any weight that is abrasive or dirty, since it can damage the cover. Fill water tubes only half to three-quarters full so the water has room to expand if it freezes. If you tie the cover to a fence or other permanent structure, use a flexible bungee cord.

How tight should an inground winter cover be?

Pull out slack and wrinkles so the cover lies flat and stays properly positioned over the pool. That does not mean stretching it: a cover that is too small should never be pulled across the pool to make it fit, so order by your pool size instead. Check the cover and the water tubes for holes before you close the pool and again during the season, and keep sticks and leaf buildup on the cover to a minimum with a leaf rake or blower.

Do I need a cover pump for an inground winter cover?

With a solid cover, yes. Rain and snowmelt collect on top, so remove that water regularly with a cover pump to keep weight off the cover. Keep the pump off the seams, because a pump placed on a seam can drain pool water from underneath the cover. An automatic cover pump, used regularly through the season, keeps the water from building up. A mesh cover lets water drain through, so it does not need a pump.

Is a winter cover the same as a safety cover?

No. A winter cover is a tarp-style cover held down with water tubes, and it has no safety benefits. A properly installed safety cover helps keep children and pets out of the pool, and it is stronger and more durable than a winter cover. Winter covers cost less and are easier to install; if keeping people and pets out matters, compare our pool safety covers and automatic pool covers.

What else do I need to close my pool for winter?

Most inground pools also need winter plugs for each return inlet, skimmer protection against freeze damage, and a pool closing kit of winterizing chemicals. Skimmer plugs such as the Gizzmo are designed to absorb the expansion of freezing water in the skimmer. Water tubes or aqua blocks hold the cover in place, and a cover pump handles water on a solid cover. Our guide on how to winterize a pool covers the full closing process.