Cover, Heater and Concrete - The Basic Options To Consider

After you select one of our pool packages, you have to select options: the cover, the heater and the concrete are the basics.

Pool covers

No pool cover is included in our pool packages.  We sell a standard winter cover with a cover pump that installs with water tubes in the $950-1,200 range.  We sell an array of bolted down winter safety covers in the $3,300-4,000 range for standard shapes (Includes pump).  Of course, we love our year-round Coverstar automatic covers which we sell with a new install about 85% of the time because of safety, convenience, and cost.  As with anything, automatic covers are of varying quality and cost.  We sell only premium brands in the $12,000-16,500 range depending on size and options (especially track and lid options).  More information on our automatic covers can be found here and here is a good blog discussion about automatic covers, benefits and costs.

Other cover types that can be purchased are safety covers with anchors and standard covers with watertubes. These are covers that only go on in the winter.

Daniel Majestic - F3AB2A81-A7E7-49A7-BED4-F7092388D53F
2024 auto cover pic

Auto Cover

2024 safety cover photo

Safety Cover w/ Anchors

2024 standard cover photo

Standard Cover w/ Watertubes

Pentair Heater (1)

Heaters

We offer propane or natural gas heaters as well as electric heat pump for those who are looking for efficiency.

A heater will almost double the time during which you can use your pool.

All of our gas heaters have a digital control and electronic ignition.  While initially more expensive, also ask about Heat Pumps for low cost over time and can also cool! Check out Pentair heaters here. For a discussion of heating options and costs, click here.

Pool Decking

Perma Pools generally constructs their pools with a concrete patio but pavers and stone are also an option.

Options, Costs and Benefits - For a comprehensive discussion of most of the options, including costs and benefits, click here.

Concrete - This is usually the preferred deck material because of aesthetics, cost, and automatic cover concerns. Alternatives are stone and pavers.

We are especially proud of our regular concrete and exposed aggregate installed by our own concrete crew. We also subcontract for a full array of specialty concrete including stamped concrete and textured overlay decks. The below picture is an example of stamped concrete and there are many stamped concrete and spray deck colors and design options.

To look at a lot of examples of stamped concrete check out this photo gallery.

Stamped concrete is truly the KING of concrete and is an art in the right hands.  We are extremely confident of our stamped concrete process.

Here are some decking tips from our experience:

1.  The top priority should be to get all the concrete you need even if this means getting regular concrete. Don't plan on getting more later--it will be more expensive, won't match and will be a pain.  Regular concrete is the least costly starting at $11.50 per sqft and entails the least maintenance (all other concrete requires sealing at appropriate intervals).

2.  Once you select the quantity, then decide on the type: regular gray, dyed concrete, exposed aggregate or stamped concrete. Generally discard the dyed concrete option as it has issues.  Exposed aggregate is about $3.00/ SF (includes one seal coat; add $1.00 per sqft for a second seal coat) more than regular gray and is a great look but is the most maintenance (requires annual sealing).  Stamped concrete is the "king" but comes at about twice the cost of regular gray.

3.  Stamped Concrete. We believe you will get more "bang for the buck" buying great landscaping and great pool furniture than by buying upgrade colored concrete.  However, the increased cost of stamped is worth it- turns your pool into a work of art! You pick colors and a pattern. Stamped concrete is a cost effective of adding elegance around your pool and it is approximately 60% less than pavers around your pool.

4.  Concrete Craftsmanship. There are tricks to pouring a pool deck and there is a high expectation of quality. Pouring a thousand driveways, basements, and sidewalks does not make anyone an experienced pool deck craftsman. Our concrete contractors have worked with us for many years and have tons of experience with our pools. Sockets, auto cover tracks, diving boards, ladders, handrails and copings make pool decks a specialty. We will, of course, work with any concrete contractor you choose.

5. Design. A great concrete design will greatly increase the value of your pool deck, both visually and from a functional standpoint. Here are some considerations: proper areas for furniture, sun and shade, curvy shapes vs. geometric designs or somewhere in between, landscaping, views, structural, and drainage considerations.