Sliding Deck Pool Covers (Design & Cost)

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Everyone who owns a pool knows that having a pool cover is a necessity to weather-proof your pool. 

Pool covers are also a great safety precaution to have in place as well. There are many types of pool covers, but the sliding deck pool cover reigns supreme among the rest. 

These pool covers are useful to keep your pool and landscaping looking great. Their purposes include shielding your pool from the changing seasons, extreme weather cases, and pure aesthetics. 

Sliding deck pool covers aren’t just your run-of-the-mill pool cover. These covers act as another part of your outdoor decor and are quite trendy but practical. The sliding deck covers look like what you would expect—a wooden deck—and can be easily slid on and off your pool. 

If they are made of quality materials, you can put deck chairs on top of the sliding deck cover or even a small table to add to the entertaining area of your backyard. 

Let’s go over some of the basics of a pool cover. How does the deck work? How much do they cost? Do you have to make a custom order? Are these sliding deck pool covers safe to support the weight? What are some of the pros and cons of having this kind of pool cover versus a regular pool cover?

We will answer these questions and more to help you determine if a sliding deck pool cover is right for you.

How Do Sliding Deck Covers Work? 

These covers work on a rolling wheel system. They can be in a manual or automatic format. To work, the framework should be bolted down on a sturdy surface, such as a pre-existing deck.

Many roller decks can be outfitted with a safety stop when they sense an obstruction. You don’t have to worry about any safety hazards or people getting trapped in the deck. 

There are sliding deck covers that are not operated on a rolling system, but these require a lot more work to use when you need to. 

If you are worried about small children wandering into the pool, this is a safer option due to their heavy weight-bearing capabilities. When in place, the pool cover will not move, and it will provide support to walk on. 

How Much Do They Cost?

Of course, with more sophisticated features, the price will increase on your sliding deck pool cover. The price can range anywhere from $25,000 to $75,000, depending on the features, company, material, and size you go with. 

For reference, a generic winter tarp pool cover goes for about $75 to around $200.

WutPool, a company that designs deck covers to conceal your spa or pool, operates on the highest end of the spectrum. Their covers for spas go for $25,000 to $140,000 and their pool covers go for about $110,000 to $500,000. 

WutPool is just one company that offers sliding deck pool cover technology, but others operate on a lower budget. 

Overall, these pool covers are quite a luxurious option. 

Do You Have to Make a Custom Order When Ordering a Sliding Deck Cover for Your Pool? 

For the most part, yes. Since each pool is a different size and shape, there is usually a consultation to determine what is right for you. 

Customization is part of the reason these covers can be so expensive. 

You also have to pick out the material of the sliding deck. Many people choose to match the color they already have on their regular deck. 

The deck has to match the area where it would fit in your space. 

There are a few different ways to place a deck, so you would need a consultation to figure that out. 

Generally, these sliding deck covers are in an H-line formation. An H-line is just a flat, retractable configuration that slides straight back and straight forward. These covers are considered a simple design.

In addition to the fit, size, shape, and material of your sliding deck, you also have to consider the various available features to decide on what is best. 

For instance, you can enable a password-protected opening system that will keep your pool closed until you want it open. You can also install safety features that prevent the cover from trapping anything inside the pool or getting stuck in the cover itself. 

These safety features will add to the installation price. However, you may find it is worth it for you in the long run. 

Are These Sliding Deck Covers Safe, and Can They Support the Weight? 

As mentioned before, these sliding covers can be safety-proof. In general, Pool covers are intended to keep your pool clean and prevent accidental fall-ins into the pool. 

With a sliding deck pool cover, their safety is even more secure as they are harder to break or tear a hole in. Some pool covers are sturdy enough to allow owners to set a small table and chair set upon them. 

You can also use the top of the cover to bring greenery into the space. Depending on the size of the pool, you could make a mini putting green or a small grassy area with astroturf. 

Not all covers are made equal, so be sure to research the type of material your sliding deck pool cover will be outfitted with. Whether or not it can sustain weight will be decided on this factor. 

How Are These Pool Covers Different from Basic, Weather-resistant Pool Covers? 

The main difference is in the materials. Your average weather-resistant pool cover is made of a tarp, mesh, or type of vinyl that will lay over the pool and keep any unwanted items out of the pool. 

The sliding deck pool covers are often made of metal and wood. This makes them much more sturdy, though expensive to make. 

Both sliding deck and tarp, mesh, or vinyl pool covers can be manual or automatic. Sliding deck covers are more often automatic. 

Another difference is that sliding deck covers can be configured in many ways to best fit. You can have the deck slide in an H-line or slide up and out to be stored vertically. It can also be stored in a nesting formation or a sliding deck that joins in the middle. 

With the tarp, mesh, and vinyl options, only sliding formations run horizontally. 

The big difference between the two is the pricing. Sliding deck covers for your pool run far more expensive than the other types, though they offer more safety, stability, and aesthetics. 

Are Sliding Deck Covers for Your Pool More Environmentally Friendly? 

Sliding deck pool covers, and all pool covers for that matter, help alleviate the number of chemicals put into the air by evaporation. 

The unique quality of sliding deck covers regarding evaporation is that they keep heat from escaping. Your pool will stay warmer and reduce the costs of having to heat the pool. 

Some sliding deck pool covers can reduce electricity costs up to 50 percent, reduce chemical use and pool heating costs by 70 percent, and reduce water evaporation by up to 90 percent. 

Sliding deck covers are much better for the environment than simply leaving your pool uncovered. 

How Long Does the Sliding Cover for Your Pool Last? 

These pool covers are very sturdy and well-made. They will last for a long time. The maintenance is just like any other deck, but you should also be sure the mechanical component of the deck is in good condition. 

When you compare sliding deck pool covers to other pool covers like tarp, mesh, or vinyl covers, you can see that the lifespan of a sliding deck pool cover is much longer. 

In general, tarps only last a few seasons before needing to be replaced. These are among the cheapest options for pool covers, but you have to replace them much more frequently. 

So, What Are the Pros and Cons of the Sliding Deck Covers?

There are many pros to installing a sliding deck cover and very few cons. We will go through them here. 

Pros: 

  • Sliding deck pool covers add space
  • They are a safer alternative to an open pool and reduce slipping hazards commonly associated with other types of pool covers
  • Pool covers prevent evaporation which cuts down on water usage and pollution 
  • These can be customized to fit your individual needs
  • Various materials are used for the top of the cover, like wood or astroturf. 
  • They can be electronic for an easy-to-use system 

Cons: 

  • Far more expensive than a mesh, vinyl, or tarp pool cover 
  • These can be bulky and difficult to move in some cases 
  • They may take up too much space and might not leave room for other pool accessories like a wheelchair lift or slide. 
  • Usually, they aren’t ideal for covering large pools because the space needed to house them in a backyard might be limited 

The cons to owning a sliding deck cover are minimal. The main downside to owning a sliding deck pool cover is the cost. This is why you should do your research on what option best fits your needs. 

There are many companies out there that offer these types of pool covers. The company can give you a better sense of what you need for your specific situation with a consultation. 

Overall Review

These sliding deck covers can be expensive. When you factor in the environmental savings, the longevity of the product, and the safety component of the pool cover, you may find that it is worth it for you. 

These are good if you are looking to spice up your landscape design or safety-proof your pool area. 

They also save on energy costs. 

If these things sound like a plus to you, a sliding deck pool cover may be the right fit. 

The pros outweigh the cons in this case. The customizable aspect of the desk makes it the ideal situation for a smaller backyard pool.

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