So I started off with a winter cover designed for oval above ground pools. It was basically an oval tarpaulin with a metal cord running around the edges and a ratchet to tighten the cord. This didn’t work brilliantly, even when secured with clips.
The first year it was OK because the pool had no decking around it, but when the decking went down, the placement of the deck on my pool was such that the cord couldn’t really tighten below the top parapet edge of the pool. The tarpaulin material was also very flimsy. It was £75 and it was a waste of money. It lasted two winters, pretty much.
My next option was a cheap rectangular tarpaulin from screwfix which I held in place with bungee straps. This was much better although it shredded itself during a storm and only lasted one winter.
My final, and current option is a more expensive rectangular waterproof tarpaulin from www.allplas.co.uk. I went for their heavy duty range. Cost with shipping for an 8.4m by 5m tarpaulin in blue was £335 but I’m pretty sure it will last me many seasons.
With all of these options the main thing is making sure that the tarpaulin is not only pulled reasonably tight across the pool, but to also make sure it is weighed down/secured so the wind cannot get underneath it.
