In the past, pool owners covered their pools with simple coverings made out of mesh and vinyl. While these were tentatively effective, they were physically exerting, encouraged heat loss, and were not entirely accident foolproof.
Pool covering has, however, been redefined in recent times with inventions like sliding swimming pool lids. This new variation of pool cover is safer, more customizable, and more heat-conserving than the former
This article will be centered on sliding pool lids, how they work, their pros and cons, as well as the ideal user profiles they cater to.
What is a Sliding Swimming Pool Lid?
A sliding swimming pool lid is a foldable cover system that is designed to cover or reveal a swimming pool area. It has track linear actuators, which make the sliding movement of the lid possible.
Types of Sliding Swimming Pool Lids
1. Surface Pool Lid
A surface sliding swimming pool lid is a flat sheet placed on the surface of the pool. It is mainly designed for pool protection and is not expected to be moved around a lot.
2. Retractable Pool Lid
This type of pool lid is designed to retract and slide backwards in the process of opening and closing the pool. It is installed on tracks or guides and slides across them.
Aside from pool protection, a retractable pool lid can also be used for aesthetics.
3. Partial Sliding Pool Lid
Partial sliding lids give partial access to and use of the pool. They are made to cover only a portion of the pool while leaving the other part exposed.
4. Custom Pool Lid
This type of pool covering is flexible and designed to fit the exact specifications of the pool area it is intended for. You get to customize it and integrate interesting features, such as nightlights, exquisite materials, motion sensors, etc.
5. Integrated Sliding Pool Lid
The design of the integrated sliding pool lid is incorporated into the overall design of the pool from the onset, not as an afterthought.
This way, it is easy to achieve a unified and complementary look.
How They Work
The mechanism of the swimming pool lid involves a set of tracks installed on both sides of the pool area. The tracks make it possible for the interlocking panels embedded in the pool lid to slide across them. Then, the linear actuators are mounted on the supporting frame of the pool lid.
On the outside, the actuator is connected to a lead screw system. Inside the housing of the actuator, there is an electric motor which generates rotational force. To utilize this force, the motor moves the lead screw and converts the force into linear movement, i.e., movement along a straight line. To visualize this movement, recall how a robot moves its hands.
When the control button on the lid is pushed, the electric motor starts the process, and the linear actuator gets extended, pulling the sliding lid open. When the lid is fully opened, the limit sensor in the system sends a signal to the actuator to halt its movements.
When the control button of the lid is pushed again, the actuator retracts, pushing the lid into a closed position.
Sliding Pool Lid Designs
Sliding pool lids come in a lot of designs, but we’ll mention a few;
1. Dual-Sided Sliding Pool Lid
This sliding pool lid design is a foldable lid that can be opened and closed from either end of the pool area. The lid’s meeting point is the midsection of the pool.
2. Single Piece Sliding Deck Pool Cover
This design makes a pool cover double as a pool deck. It helps to make room atop the swimming pool when it is not in use and puts the space to good use.
3. Glass Sliding Design
This is a luxurious pool lid design that features glass panels. Because of the translucency of the panel, the pool area still achieves visibility even when closed.
4. Removable Panel Pool Lid
Instead of interlocking panels, a removal panel pool lid has several individual tiles. This means that it has a flexible system of use since you can just remove parts of the tiles to gain access to a section of the pool.
Advantages
A sliding swimming pool lid is a popular choice for a pool cover for several reasons, and the key advantages include the following.
1. Enhances Pool Safety
A sliding pool lid acts as a physical barrier, thus reducing the risk of accidental falls and slips into the swimming pool area when it is not in use.
It is a childproof design that prevents unauthorized access without supervision or permission.
2. Helps Maintain Cleanliness
By providing cover for the pool surface, the sliding pool lid helps to guarantee the cleanliness of the pool by keeping out dirt, leaves, and other environmental elements.
3. Guarantees Energy Efficiency
Sliding pool lids help preserve the pool’s temperature and insulate the pool from the risk of heat loss, thereby reducing the energy that would be required to reheat.
4. Visually Appealing
Sliding swimming pool lids, especially customizable ones, complement the general aesthetics of the pool area.
The design of sliding pool covers makes them integrate seamlessly with the overall design of the pool area, thus blending smoothly with the pool’s aesthetics. And because they are highly customizable, pool owners can opt for materials that complement the pool’s design.
Disadvantages
1. Installation and Space Requirements
If sliding pool lids were not incorporated into the pool design from the beginning, you might need to make major modifications to your pool area to make room for the tracks and sliding mechanism.
2. Aesthetics Dilemma
Although sliding pool lids generally blend with pool aesthetics, some pool owners might prefer the natural vibe of an open pool area.
3. Intrusive Noise and Vibrations
Some lid models generate unwanted noise and vibrations during operation, which might be bothersome.
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