How to Cover Freeform and Kidney Shaped Pools

Whether you are a new pool owner or have been enjoying your pool for years, an important part of owning a pool is knowing how to best protect your investment. A pool cover is a great way to maintain clean and safe water and can help reduce your energy costs as well.

There are many different types and styles of pool covers available on the market, and choosing the right one for your pool can seem daunting, especially if you have a unique pool shape, like a freeform or kidney-shaped pool.

My below guide will help you understand the types of covers available and choose the best option for your freeform or kidney-shaped pool.

Main Takeaways

• Most pool covers, even tarp, solar, and winter, can be custom-made to fit any shaped pool.
• Some other options to cover your freeform or kidney-shaped pool include recessed top track covers, deck-mounted pool track covers, or DIY pool covers.
• Pool covers can range in price from as little as $100 to $20,000, depending on the size and type of pool cover you choose.

How To Cover a Freeform Or Kidney Shaped Pool?

You can conveniently cover your kidney or freeform pool using a variety of different covers. Even if you have a uniquely shaped pool, many companies sell custom-made covers for kidney and freeform pools. These covers can be custom-fit to your pool’s unique shape so that they can fit your pool perfectly.

Take this freeform pool I built for example – even though it’s oddly shaped, you can definitely find or create a cover for it.

There are plenty of different types of custom-made pool covers you can choose from:

• Tarp cover – The cheapest and easiest way to cover your pool. You can purchase a tarp at any home improvement store, and they come in a variety of sizes.
• Solar cover – A great way to keep your pool warm and reduce energy costs. Solar covers are made of a thin, transparent material that allows the sun’s rays to pass through and heat the water. Feel free to check out my guide on the best solar pool covers if you feel this option is right for you!
• Winter cover – A must if you live in an area where the temperatures drop below freezing. Winter covers are made of a heavy-duty material that will prevent your pool from freezing. If you want to learn how to winterize your pool, check out my article!
• Mesh cover – Made of a lightweight material that allows the wind to pass through while still keeping debris out of your pool. Mesh covers also allow sunlight and rain to enter the pool, so you don’t have to worry about the water becoming stagnant.
• Solid cover – Provides a barrier between the pool and the snow and can also be used to cover your pool during the off-season. Solid covers are available in various materials, including polypropylene, vinyl, and UV-stabilized polyethylene.
• Net cover – A good choice if you only want to keep your pool clean and free of debris. Net pool covers are made of a strong, lightweight net material that will allow rain or melting snow to pass through but will keep out leaves, bugs, and other debris.

The above pool cover options can be used to cover a freeform or kidney-shaped pool, but there are other options too that I’ll discuss in more detail. Namely, I will go over: recessed top track covers, deck-mounted pool track covers, and DIY covers.

Best Option: Recessed Top Track Cover

If you have a kidney or freeform-shaped pool, a recessed top track cover is the best cover type on the market. This type of cover will sit flush with the decking around your pool, making it nearly invisible. Plus, it will provide a robust and reliable barrier against the elements, helping keep your pool clean and safe.

You can get a recessed top track cover custom-made to fit the exact dimensions of your pool. This ensures a perfect fit and optimal performance.

A recessed top track rectangular cover is the best option for your freeform or kidney-shaped pool. However, its installation will be more difficult than a standard solar cover. You should hire a professional to ensure it’s installed correctly. The other major concern for many pool owners is the high price tag. These types of covers do not come cheap but may be worth the investment if you are looking for the best pool cover available for your kidney or freeform-shaped pool.

Good Option: Deck Mounted Pool Track Cover

If you’re looking for a less expensive cover than a recessed top track cover, a good option is a deck mounted pool track cover. This type of cover is also made of a durable material and can be custom-made to fit your pool, but it does not have a recessed top track. Instead, the cover mounts directly onto your deck.

One advantage of a deck-mounted cover is that anyone with basic carpentry skills can install it. If you’re handy and have some basic tools and knowledge, you can install this type of cover yourself. However, if you’re not confident in your ability to install the cover, you can always hire a professional.

Another advantage of a deck-mounted pool track cover is that it can be removed and stored away easily.

Cheapest Option: DIY Mesh Or Solid Cover

If you’re looking for the cheapest option to cover your freeform pool, consider making your own cover. Making your own cover will obviously be the most affordable option, but it may not be the most durable or aesthetically pleasing. But if you have some basic sewing skills, you can easily make a cover that will do the job. Plus, this can be a fun project if you want to invite some friends and family over to help you build it as well.

If you need any help with DIY, there are plenty of resources available online, including tutorials and videos. You can also check my guide on How to Build a DIY Pool Cover for easy-to-follow instructions.

Cost of Pool Covers for Freeform and Kidney Shaped Pools

The cost of pool covers for freeform and kidney-shaped pools will vary depending on the type and size of cover you choose. But I will go over the average prices for each type of pool cover discussed above.

Custom-Made Pool Covers

If you are purchasing a custom-made cover, you can expect to spend anywhere from $500 to $5,000, depending on the size of your pool and the type of material you choose. For example, a tarp will be on the cheaper side, while a solid pool cover will cost more.

Recessed Top Track Pool Covers

Recessed top track covers are the most expensive type of pool cover, but they are also the most durable and fit best with your pool and your backyard’s aesthetics. They can range in price from $10,000 to $20,000, depending on the size of your pool. They are expensive due to the complexity of the installation and the need for professional installation.

Deck Mounted Covers

Deck-mounted covers are less expensive than recessed top track covers, but they still come with a hefty price tag. These types of covers can range in price from $1,000 to $10,000, depending on the size of your pool and the type of material you choose.

DIY Covers

If you decide to make your own cover, the cost will vary depending on the type and quality of material you use. However, you can generally expect to spend around $100 to $500 on materials. There will be no extra labor costs as long as you do all of the work yourself.

Bottom Line

When it comes to choosing a pool cover for your freeform or kidney-shaped pool, it may feel a bit overwhelming when you begin to do your research. However, with a little bit of digging, you can find that there are plenty of options on the market. Most companies can custom-fit a pool cover to fit your specific pool, or you can hire a professional to cut the pool cover to size if needed too. But buying a pool cover for your pool doesn’t have to be expensive, as you can always DIY a pool cover as well.

To learn more about freeform pools, head on over to my pool shapes and freeform pool designs article. Once you have your pool cover, you can head on over to my guides on how to install your pool cover and how to clean your pool cover to ensure that your pool cover stays top-notch!

If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I would be more than happy to help!