Pool cover roller buying guide

Pool rollers consist of a long tube which is used to wind up the pool cover. Most models feature a crank handle or wheel is to control the roller and some pool rollers are mounted on castors for easy transport. Whether you buy your roller at the same time as the cover or decide to invest separately – after realising how tricky pool covers can be to handle – a good pool roller will really make your life easier.

This is especially true of large pools as the bigger the pool, the harder it is to handle the cover. Furthermore, if you're using a solar cover in summer, you run the risk of damaging the air pockets while folding it up. Finally, with a pool roller, you can guarantee that your pool cover won't touch the ground once it's removed from the pool.

Your pool roller should be chosen according to:

• the type of cover you need to store;

• the type of pool you want to protect (i.e. above ground or in-ground);

• the size of the pool;

• the properties of the cover (e.g. strength, ease of use and adjustments, and so on).

There are a few different criteria to weigh up when making your choice.

• The type of cover you want to roll up – some rollers are designed for solar covers, others for slatted covers.

• It goes without saying that the material of the roller must be rust-resistant and able to deal with moisture. For this reason, most pool rollers are made of stainless steel or aluminium. It's also possible to find lighter plastic models for above-ground pools.

• The base of the roller must be as stable as possible; most are U- or T-shaped.

• The central tube of the roller needs to be big enough to support the weight of your cover. We recommend a diameter of 80 to 90 mm for a pool measuring up to five metres and at least 100 mm for larger pools.

• If you have an in-ground pool, a roller on castors will be much easier to move around but the castors themselves need to be very strong.

• An in-ground pool cover roller will be more balanced and stable if the wheel is offset to the base.

• A telescopic roller is designed to adapt to the width of your pool. This is a really handy option if your pool size is not standard.

• A motorised roller will save you cranking the roller by hand which can be tiring.

• Remote control will make the roller even easier to use.

• Be sure to look into the length of the warranty – this can be an excellent way to gauge the quality of a pool roller.

You can use a pool roller with any type of pool as long as you take care to choose the right design for your pool.

Above-ground pool rollers

There are three main types of pool rollers for above-ground or semi in-ground pools:

• A pool roller fitted on the pool coping will usually cover up part of the pool but do blend in well with the pool. Some models are designed to be hidden from view in a hatch or casing.

• Pool rollers for above-ground pools can be fitted directly to the steel frame.

• A height-adjustable pool roller that simply sits in place and can be lowered or raised, depending on whether you have an above-ground or semi in-ground pool.

Pool rollers for in-ground pools

There are two main types of pool roller for in-ground pools:

• A fixed roller that is anchored to the ground; these rollers work a bit like a roller shutter.

• A portable roller that can be wheeled away from the pool to make more room around the pool while you swim.