Pool Enclosure vs Pool Cover: Which Is Right for Your Pool?

Every UK pool owner knows the routine, and it's usually what starts the pool enclosure vs pool cover debate. The sun comes out, you head for the pool, and by the time you've found your towel there's a cloud overhead, a breeze across the water and a fresh layer of leaves on top.

Most people start with a pool cover. Sooner or later, though, the question comes up: should you stick with a cover, or invest in a proper pool enclosure?

A cover protects the water. A good enclosure protects the water and gives you somewhere to enjoy it, whatever the British weather is up to. Let's start with what you get from a made-to-measure enclosure, then put it head-to-head with the main types of cover.

Why Is a Made-to-Measure Pool Enclosure Worth It?

Our made-to-measure enclosures come from the Alukov range, which we regard as the best pool enclosure on the market. They're not the cheapest way to cover a pool, and we won't pretend otherwise. What you're paying for is quality, a proper fit and a proper service. Here's what that means in practice.

Is It Really Built for Your Pool?

Yes. Every enclosure is made to order and built to fit your pool's exact size, whether it's rectangular, freeform or a slightly awkward shape. Before anything is manufactured, our team visits for a site survey to take precise measurements and check access to your garden.

No gaps, no "near enough" and no squeezing your pool into a standard kit size.

Can You Choose How It Looks and Works?

You can. You choose the height, from ultra-low designs like the Terra, which sits so close to the ground it barely registers, to medium and high enclosures you can walk and swim inside.

Frames come in silver, white, anthracite or antique brown, often called bronze (custom colours are available on request). Depending on the model, you can pick different polycarbonate thicknesses, clear or smoked panels, and manual or motorised opening. Some models add clever touches, such as the Tropea Neo's raised locking system (so you don't have to bend down) and adjustable ventilation.

Why Does the Track System Matter?

This is the part you'll notice every day. Our enclosures run on tracks, so each segment glides smoothly over the next as you open or close the pool. Single-track designs leave three sides free of rails for easy access, while dual-track designs support the segments on both sides for stability and smooth operation. Opening the pool on a sunny morning becomes a quick, easy job rather than a two-person workout.

Who Installs It?

We do. Delivery and professional installation are part of the service, and an enclosure is often fitted in a single day (depending on size). The guide prices on our product pages include transport, installation and VAT, so there's no weekend of flat-pack instructions waiting for you.

What Happens After It's Fitted?

Our enclosures are built from rust-proof aluminium with UV-protected polycarbonate, designed to stand up to wind, rain and snow year after year. And if you ever need anything, our team is on hand for maintenance and aftercare support.

What's the Difference Between a Pool Cover and a Pool Enclosure?

A pool cover sits on or just over the water. Most are removed or rolled back before you swim, and they're mainly there to keep heat in and dirt out.

A pool enclosure is a structure over the pool: an aluminium frame with polycarbonate panels that slides open when the sun shines and closes when it doesn't.

What Types of Pool Cover Are There?

Floating solar (bubble) covers are the familiar blue sheets that float on the water. They cut evaporation and overnight heat loss, but come off before you swim and won't take anyone's weight.

Winter and debris covers keep leaves out during the off-season, when the pool is out of action.

Safety covers are designed and tested to act as a barrier. Check exactly which standard a cover has been tested to and how it must be fitted.

Automatic slatted covers roll out at the push of a button. They're convenient, but usually planned into the pool build or fitted as a significant retrofit.

Pool Enclosure vs Pool Cover: How Do They Compare?

Which Gives You a Longer Swimming Season?

This is the biggest difference. A cover helps keep the water warmer, but when it's raining sideways you're still swimming outside in it.

An enclosure keeps the rain and wind off, so you get a sheltered place to swim on days you'd otherwise stay indoors. Some low models, such as the Oceanic Low, leave room to swim lengths with the enclosure closed. Ultra-low designs like the Terra are opened before you get in, so the height you choose shapes how you'll use your pool.

Which Keeps the Heat In Better?

Both reduce heat loss by limiting evaporation and keeping wind off the water. An enclosure also works like a greenhouse, trapping warmth from the sun on brighter days. How much difference that makes depends on your pool, its position and how you heat it, so we won't throw numbers at you.

Which Is Easier Day to Day?

Putting a bubble cover back on is easy to skip, and it only helps while it's on.

With an enclosure, you simply slide the segments open or closed on their tracks, or press a button if you've chosen motorised operation. Nothing has to be dragged out of the water, folded or stored.

Which Keeps the Pool Cleaner?

A floating cover keeps debris out while it's on, but whatever lands on it tends to end up in the pool when you take it off. An enclosure keeps leaves, dust and rain out whenever it's closed, even while you swim.

Which Is Safer?

Our enclosures can be locked in place, adding a physical barrier between the water and curious children or pets. A standard floating solar cover gives no such protection.

Whatever you choose, nothing replaces supervision around water.

What About the Cost?

Covers are cheaper, though prices vary widely. An enclosure is a structure rather than an accessory, so it's a bigger investment.

As a guide, at the time of writing our made-to-measure Azure Low starts from £17,035 for a 4 x 8 m pool, including transport, installation and VAT. Your final price is confirmed after the site survey, and if the survey brings no surprises, it matches your initial estimate.

Do You Need Planning Permission?

A cover isn't a building, so planning doesn't come into it. An enclosure is a structure. Many domestic enclosures in England fall under permitted development, but height, position and location all matter. Our guide to UK planning permission rules for pool enclosures explains more, and your local planning authority can confirm.

What If Your Budget Is Tighter?

If a made-to-measure enclosure isn't right for you just now, a self-assembly kit is a sensible middle ground. We stock the Palram-Canopia Majorca in two fixed sizes, 4 x 6 (currently £6,533) and 4 x 8 (currently £8,775), with delivery within about two weeks.

It's a good-value budget option, with a powder-coated aluminium frame, UV-protected polycarbonate panels and a Push 'n Lock system, and it's designed so one person can open it.

Just go in with your eyes open. The Majorca comes in those two sizes only, so it can't be customised to your pool. You assemble it yourself. And it runs on wheels rather than gliding on tracks, which is what gives our made-to-measure enclosures their smooth, easy operation. Its sections telescope open to either side, but you can't split them to open from the middle.

So, Which Should You Choose?

A pool cover is likely to suit you if:

• You mainly swim in warm spells and are happy with a short season
• You want to cut heat loss and debris for the smallest outlay
• You don't mind taking a cover on and off

A made-to-measure enclosure is likely to suit you if:

• You want to swim through spring and autumn, not just on the few really hot days
• You're tired of skimming leaves and wrestling with covers
• You want a lockable barrier over the pool when it's not in use
• You want something built for your pool, professionally installed and looked after

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you swim with a pool enclosure closed?

It depends on the height. Medium and high enclosures give you room to swim and move around inside, and some low models allow lap swimming. Ultra-low designs are opened first.

Is a pool cover enough to keep children safe?

A standard floating solar cover isn't a safety device. Look for a lockable enclosure or a cover tested to a recognised safety standard, and always supervise children around water.

Can a made-to-measure enclosure fit an unusual pool shape?

Yes. Because each enclosure is made to order after a site survey, we can design one for rectangular, freeform and unusually shaped pools.

Can I use a pool cover under a pool enclosure?

Yes. A floating cover inside the enclosure adds extra heat retention overnight. Ask us whether it suits your pool and layout.

Ready to Enjoy Your Pool Whatever the Weather?

Get in touch with your pool's size and how you'd like to use it, or call us free on 0800 8611 679. We'll talk you through the options and arrange your site survey.