How Much Does a Swimming Pool Cover Cost in 2025?
Installing a swimming pool cover costs an average of $1,798
The average cost to install a swimming pool cover is $1,798, ranging between $871 and $2,794.
Pool cover costs vary based on factors such as cover type, pool size and shape, and additional features.
Investing in a pool cover reduces maintenance costs, conserves energy, and enhances safety.
Professional installation ensures proper fit and maximizes the benefits of your pool cover.
This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
Pool covers cost an average of $1,798, with prices ranging from $149 to $4,500. The type of cover, pool size, and additional features affect your total cost. Budgeting for your pool cover project and hiring a professional is important to ensure proper installation and maximum safety benefits. Basic pool covers start at $149, while high-end automatic covers can cost up to $25,000.
Pool Cover Cost Factors
Many factors impact how much you'll pay for a pool cover, ranging from the type and shape of your pool to the brand of cover and the track options.
Above-Ground vs. In-Ground Pool
Pool covers cost between $35 and $10,000 without installation or extras. For your above-ground pool, you can expect to pay between $35 and $750 for the cover itself. For an in-ground pool, you'll pay more—starting at $75 for a simple winter cover and up to $10,000 for a high-end automatic cover.
Adding a cover to your above-ground pool order won't change the installation cost much, and you may even get a basic safety cover included for free if you shop around. Bundling an automatic pool cover as part of your in-ground swimming pool installation can save you money, as these covers are easier to fit during a new installation than to retrofit to an existing pool.
| Cover Type | Above-Ground (Cover Cost Only) | In-Ground (Cover Cost Only) |
|---|---|---|
| Safety | N/A | $600–$2,100 |
| Winter | $50–$200 | $75–$250 |
| Solar | $35–$400 | $70–$400 |
| Solar with reel | $200–$750 | $250–$700 |
| Automatic | N/A | $6,000–$10,000 |
Labor
Labor for manual pool covers runs from $400 to $1,500, with above-ground pool covers priced at the lower end and in-ground ones at the higher end. Automatic pool covers cost much more in terms of labor, running anywhere from $2,000 for installation of a small automatic cover at the same time as the pool, up to $10,000 for a large, retro-fitted automatic cover.
Brand
The cost of your pool cover will vary by brand and type. Especially with safety pool covers and high-end automatic options, it's important to choose a reputable, trustworthy brand to ensure quality and reliability.
| Brand | Price Range (Installed) | Average Price (Installed) |
|---|---|---|
| Aquamatic (automatic) | $10,000–$20,000 | $15,000 |
| Coverstar (automatic) | $10,000–$20,000 | $15,000 |
| GLI (safety) | $1,500–$2,800 | $2,150 |
| Latham (safety) | $1,800–$3,600 | $2,700 |
| LOOP-LOC (safety) | $1,600–$3,600 | $2,600 |
| Tara (safety) | $1,500–$3,400 | $2,450 |
Pool Shape and Features
If your pool has an unusual shape, water features, boulder edges, or waterfalls, you may end up paying more for your pool cover. These unique features often require more labor to install correctly, and you may even need a custom-designed cover. Labor costs can be up to 50% higher with a challenging pool shape, especially if you're installing a heavy-duty or walk-on safety cover. There are extra difficulties to overcome to ensure the cover is truly safe, so your kids and pets aren't at risk of falling in.
Repairs and Replacement Parts
Pool maintenance and repairs cost $75 to $100 per hour. While you might be able to patch a basic pool cover yourself—like a winter cover or a simple safety cover—more complex repairs need a pool cover pro. Walk-on and automatic covers cost more to repair because they’re higher-risk and require thorough, secure repairs. If a track or an anchor breaks, a professional will need to replace it, not just repair it, to ensure safety.
Track Options
There are three track systems to choose from.
Top-Track
A top-track system is deck-mounted and the least expensive option but also the most obvious and least aesthetically pleasing. Top tracks are popular with those on a budget and those with free-form or non-standard pool shapes, as they sit above the pool and can cover any shape.
Recessed Track
Recessed track systems are the mid-price option. Pros install them into the pool deck, meaning it’s best to have them installed at the same time as the pool or deck. These are less obvious than top-track models but cost more to install. They can be compatible with free-form pools, but the cost increases to accommodate the increased challenge.
Undertrack
Undertrack systems are the gold standard, as they're invisible when not in use. But they also cost the most and aren’t compatible with all pool shapes. Installing an undertrack system on a rectangular pool is the most affordable undertrack option, but if you have a suitable free-form pool, you can install an undertrack system using a pool-in-pool installation, but this is much more costly than other options.
Pool Cover Costs by Type
You have plenty of choices for pool covers, from simple net and winter covers that keep leaves and debris out to safety covers and walk-on covers that prevent accidental drownings. The one you choose depends on your pool type and your personal preferences.
| Type of Pool Cover | Average Price (All-In) |
|---|---|
| Solar | $90 |
| Winter | $160 |
| Walkable | $1,440 |
| Pool net | $2,100 |
| Mesh safety | $2,100 |
| Solid safety | $2,700 |
| Manual | $2,750 |
| Retractable | $3,750 |
| Automatic | $15,000 |
Solar
A solar pool cover costs between $30 and $150, depending on the material's thickness and quality. Its primary purpose is to slow your pool's water loss through evaporation when you're not using it. Keep in mind that solar pool covers fit loosely and offer few safety benefits.
Winter
Winter pool covers cost between $75 and $250 to install. They're essentially tarps that lay across the surface of your pool, with weights around the edge to keep them in place. While they're relatively inexpensive and designed to keep debris like leaves and storm-blown refuse out of your pool, they provide no safety features and can pose a drowning risk to young kids and pets.
Walkable
A walkable pool cover costs an average of $3 per square foot. This style is so-named because you can walk on top of it. A walkable cover is made from a mesh material and is designed for in-ground pools.
Pool Net
A net pool cover costs between $1,200 and $3,000 and is highly effective at keeping out leaves and other debris types. This type can support a considerable weight on top of it, which is especially important in areas that get snow during the winter. A net cover doesn't need a pump on top since it doesn't keep water out.
Mesh Safety
A mesh pool safety cover costs between $1,200 and $3,000, depending on your pool's size and shape. This is significantly less expensive than solid covers for both material and cost. Mesh covers offer several advantages and disadvantages compared to solid covers:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Doesn't require a pump | Allows some sediment to enter the pool |
| Doesn't pose a drowning risk from puddled water | Pool may require more cleaning |
| Lightweight and easier to install | Allows some UV light to enter the pool |
| More durable | May lower chlorine levels |
| Less expensive to install and purchase | May promote algae growth |
Solid Safety
Solid safety covers cost between $1,800 and $3,600. Like mesh covers, solid pool covers have their plusses and minuses too:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Completely blocks UV light from the pool | Expensive to purchase and install |
| Completely blocks sediment and debris | Requires a pump to drain |
| Pool stays cleaner | May pose drowning risk if not pumped |
| No algae growth | Heavy and more difficult to install |
| No effect on chlorine levels | Allows some sediment to enter the pool |
| Smooth to the touch |
Manual
The price range for manual pool covers is between $500 and $5,000. These pool covers are an economical alternative to automatic models, which cost twice as much. Manual pool covers often use a track system that eliminates the need for anchors, sandbags, and straps.
Retractable
A retractable pool cover costs an average of $2,000, including the reel's cost. A manual reel starts at $10, but can be as high as $250 for a crank-style reel. Mechanical reels range from $300 to $1,000 and may embed in the ground or install above ground like crank-style reels.
Automatic
The cost of automatic pool covers starts at $7,000 and can go as high as $25,000, which can add significantly to the cost of building a pool. Most installations cost an average of $15,000.
The most expensive parts for this type of pool cover include the motor and reel and the cover itself. Automatic pool covers also require regular maintenance due to the moving parts they contain. They provide many benefits, including convenience, safety, protection from the weather, and heat conservation.
DIY Swimming Pool Cover Installation vs. Hiring a Pro
You can install a basic solar cover yourself since it doesn't require special skills. However, other types of covers require permanent installation of equipment, which a professional should perform—especially for automatic pool covers with tracks and multiple moving parts. Local pool cover installers can quote you an all-in price when you purchase a pool cover from them.
How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data
No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
To protect your pool cover when it's not in use, make sure to dry it completely and store it correctly. Pool covers can be damaged by rodents, insects, and algae. After drying, place your cover in an airtight container with water and algaecide to help prevent damage, maintain its integrity, and prolong its lifespan. Remember to refresh the protective mixture each summer to ensure ongoing protection.
Pool covers reduce maintenance costs by blocking water evaporation, limiting energy loss, and restricting chemical consumption. They shield the pool from debris, which minimizes cleaning requirements and preserves the condition of pool components. By covering the pool when not in use, homeowners secure efficient performance and realize significant long-term savings while keeping the pool infrastructure in excellent condition.
Cover reels are mechanical devices that facilitate the installation and removal of pool covers by functioning as efficient spools. They are available in both manual and powered versions, with automated systems operating with a push-button mechanism to move the cover. These devices streamline pool maintenance by simplifying cover handling and reducing physical labor, ensuring a smooth and reliable process.
You should install a pool cover as soon as you close your pool for the season. This is a great project to complete before the leaves start falling, saving you from removing leaves from the pool. In some cases, you may need to remove the cover during the winter for maintenance temporarily.
The main difference between these two types is that a mesh cover allows precipitation and some fine debris to enter the pool. Some UV light can also penetrate a mesh pool cover. A solid cover blocks all precipitation and debris, which can save you money over time by preventing avoidable issues debris may cause your liner, filter, or other pool components.
A pool cover’s lifespan is determined by its material quality, design, and proper upkeep. A low-end vinyl pool cover engineered for high UV exposure is designed to perform for one to two years, while a high-end automatic cover installed with precision remains effective for 10 years or more. Investment in quality and diligent maintenance guarantees lasting protection, and secure installation practices further extend the cover’s durability.
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