| For anyone owning an outdoor swimming pool the | | | | Permanent covers |
| three keys to getting the most from the pool | | | | More permanent (non-retractable) enclosures are |
| are: | | | | also available, but these are classified as |
| 1. Keeping the pool clean and free of debris | | | | permanent structures and, depending upon local |
| 2. Maximizing the periods during which it can be | | | | laws, may require a planning permit. |
| used | | | | These structures are usually referred to as "pool |
| 3. Keeping heating costs as low as possible. | | | | houses" and they can be built of brick or stone, |
| There are various ways of achieving these | | | | but with a wall and roof area that is |
| objectives and they range from pool covers and | | | | predominantly made of glass. This type of |
| solar heating, to floating solar rings. However, the | | | | structure has a considerably greater cost than its |
| most effective way of protecting the water, | | | | telescopic counterpart and it has the effect of |
| conserving latent heat energy and increasing | | | | converting an outdoor pool into an indoor one. |
| year-round usability is by covering the swimming | | | | These glasshouses can be simple or elaborate and |
| area with a structural enclosure or canopy. | | | | they can encompass an area that allows for a |
| Swimming pool enclosures differ from covers in | | | | patio area and the inclusion of heating and/or air |
| that they not only cover and protect the area, | | | | conditioning. |
| but they also allow swimming and bathing to take | | | | The cheapest option |
| place whilst the enclosure is in its covered position. | | | | At the opposite end of the scale there are |
| Enclosures come in a number of different forms | | | | inflatable bubble enclosures that are tied or |
| with the most popular being a sectional telescopic | | | | weighted down over the swimming pool. |
| canopy. With this type of structure several | | | | These bubbles use an air pump that inflates them |
| sections telescope out to cover the pool during | | | | so that they encapsulate the swimming zone and |
| cooler weather and retract to leave the area | | | | create a bubble of warm air around and above it. |
| uncovered during warmer days. These canopies | | | | This makes swimming conditions much more |
| can be motorised or opened manually and slide on | | | | pleasurable on cool days, however these "bubbles" |
| runners. | | | | are not suitable for windy days and therefore |
| All sections are made of a toughened glass or a | | | | they do have some limitations. |
| "Perspex like" material which is held in a lightweight | | | | Which option is the best? |
| frame that slides over the pool's perimeter. The | | | | The answer to this question is ultimately |
| height of the canopy is usually sufficient for | | | | determined by the limitations of a budget. |
| someone to walk under without stooping and | | | | A pool house converts an outdoor pool into an |
| most models will have manually adjustable | | | | indoor one, whilst a telescopic enclosure offers |
| ventilation openings. | | | | the best of both worlds. Bubbles are a cheap to |
| This type of canopy offers maximum versatility | | | | buy, but they are an easily damaged alternative |
| and it can even be positioned in a half open and | | | | and they also require packing and storing when |
| half closed state. | | | | not in use. |