Are you looking for a solution to protect your pool in Geneva or the canton of Vaud? A well-chosen pool cover can save you up to 70% on heating costs, reduce evaporation by 90% and provide safe access to the pool for your children.
At Astro Piscines, we’ve been helping homeowners in the Lake Geneva region choose and install their pool equipment since 1974. Submerged or above-ground automatic covers, bar covers, bubble covers or winter covers: each solution meets a specific need.
How do you know which one is right for you? It all depends on your priorities: do you want to heat your water naturally? Protect your pool from leaves and debris? Secure your pool all year round? This guide will help you choose the right cover for your pool and lifestyle.
Why cover your pool? The 5 essential benefits
Before choosing a type of cover, let’s understand why it’s essential in our Swiss latitudes.
1. Save on pool heating
An uncovered swimming pool loses up to 5°C on a cool night. In French-speaking Switzerland, where nights remain cool even in summer, this loss forces your heat pump to work continuously. An isothermal cover (bubble cover) or automatic shutter reduces these losses by 70-80%, halving your electricity bill.
2. Natural solar water heating
Bubble covers and solar louver shutters capture the sun’s energy and transmit it to the water. The result: +3 to +8°C of free heat gain, depending on the amount of sunshine. It’s the most ecological solution for heating your pool without consuming electricity.
3. Reduce evaporation and save water
An 8×4 m open-air pool can lose up to 400 liters of water a day in summer. That’s a lot of water to replace and treatment products to add. By covering your pool, you can reduce evaporation by 90% and cut chlorine and salt consumption.
4. Secure access for children
In Switzerland, regulations recommend securing private pools against the risk of drowning. Automatic shutters and bar covers conforming to NF P90-308 standards can support the weight of an adult and prevent accidental falls. Caution: a cover is no substitute for adult vigilance.
5. Protect water from external pollution
Dead leaves, pollen, insects, dust: anything that falls into an open-air pool adds to the workload of the filtration system and consumes treatment products. A cover keeps the water clean between swims and facilitates daily maintenance.
Which pool cover is right for you? Solution comparison
There are five main families of pool covers. Each meets different needs in terms of comfort, safety and budget. Here’s an overview to help you choose.
| Type | Safety | Heating | Comfort | Budget |
| Automatic shutter | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Bar cover | ★★★★★ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Bubble cover | ☆☆☆☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Winter cover | ★★★★☆ | ☆☆☆☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Protection | – | – | ★★★★★ | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Automatic pool covers for everyday comfort and safety
The automatic roller shutter is the top-of-the-range solution for homeowners who want to combine practicality and aesthetics. At the touch of a remote control, the slats extend or retract in less than two minutes.
We install AquaTop shutters (Technics & Applications), manufactured in Belgium and renowned for their reliability. Two options are available:
- Submerged shutter : invisible when open, it preserves the aesthetics of your pool. Ideal for new construction or complete renovation.
- Above-ground cover: can be installed on an existing pool without masonry work. The box can be fitted with a bench for added comfort.
Bar tarpaulins: 4-season safety and versatility
The bar cover is an excellent compromise between safety and budget. Made from reinforced PVC canvas and aluminum or composite bars, it can support the weight of an adult and complies with safety standard NF P90-308.
For summer and winter use, it protects your pool from debris and limits evaporation. It can be rolled up manually or with a motorized roller, such as APF Pool Design’s iScoot 700.
The bubble cover: solar heating and savings
The bubble cover (or isothermal cover) is the most economical solution for heating your pool naturally. Its air bubbles capture the sun’s heat and return it to the water, while limiting night-time evaporation.
We offer APF Pool Design tarpaulins in several thicknesses (300 to 500 microns) and technologies: GeoBubble™ for extended life, Sol+Guard™ for optimal heating.
Important: the bubble cover is not a safety cover. It should not be used on its own if you have small children.
Winter cover: optimum protection for the Swiss winter
Winter in Geneva and Vaud puts a strain on swimming pools. A filtering winter cover protects your pool from leaves, snow and debris, while letting rainwater through thanks to its technical mesh.
Our APF Pool Design winter covers comply with the NF P90-308 standard and can support the weight of an adult. They can be fastened with hooks or straps, depending on the configuration of your beach.
Shutter protection: protecting your shutters without piercing the beach
Do you have an automatic shutter and want to protect it from winter soiling without having to install pitons on your deck? Slat protectors like APF’s Protect One 2.0 or Walter Pool’s Slat Protect Premium can be installed directly on the closed shutter.
Installation in less than 10 minutes, no drilling, no permanent fixing. Ideal for homeowners who don’t want to change the appearance of their pool deck.
How to choose a pool cover Practical guide
The choice of a cover depends on three main criteria: your priority (safety, economy, comfort), the configuration of your pool, and your budget.
Is child safety your priority?
Choose an automatic shutter or a NF P90-308-compliant bar cover. These covers can support the weight of an adult and prevent accidental falls.
Your priority is to reduce your energy bills?
Combine a bubble cover for summer (free solar heating) with a winter cover for the cold season. If your budget allows, a solar shutter offers the best of both worlds.
Your priority is user comfort?
The automatic cover is unbeatable: one remote control, and your pool is covered or uncovered in less than two minutes. No handling, no effort.
Do you have an existing pool with no predispositions?
Above-ground shutters and covers (bars, bubbles, winter covers) can be installed on any pool without masonry work. Submerged covers generally require more extensive renovation.
Why choose Astro Piscines for your pool cover?
- 50 years of experience on the Lake Geneva region: we know the specificities of the Geneva and Vaud climates.
- Selected brands : AquaTop (T&A), APF Pool Design – only manufacturers recognized for their quality.
- Professional installation: our technicians travel throughout Geneva, the Côte (Nyon, Gland, Rolle) and the whole canton of Vaud.
- Responsive after-sales service: in the event of a breakdown or any other query, we can respond rapidly anywhere in French-speaking Switzerland.
- Personalized advice: free home visit to study your project and recommend the right solution.
Ready to protect your pool?
Our experts come to Geneva and Vaud free of charge to study your project. Whether you’re looking for an automatic shutter, a bar cover or a low-cost cover, we’ll be happy to provide you with personalized advice and a customized quote.
Call us on 0842 520 520 or request a quote online.
FAQ – Frequently asked questions about pool covers
Which cover heats my pool naturally?
Bubble wrap is the most effective solution for free solar heating. Depending on the amount of sunshine, it can save between 3 and 8°C. Shutters with polycarbonate blades also offer a greenhouse effect, but are less pronounced.
How much does a pool cover cost in Switzerland?
Prices vary according to type: bubble cover (CHF 500-1,500), bar cover (CHF 2,000-5,000), above-ground cover (CHF 6,000-12,000), underwater cover (CHF 10,000-20,000). Ask for a personalized quote for a precise estimate.
Is a pool cover compulsory in Switzerland?
There is no legal obligation at federal level, but the cantons of Geneva and Vaud recommend that private swimming pools be made safe. A cover conforming to standard NF P90-308 (shutter or bar cover) is a recognized safety device.
Is it possible to install a cover on an existing pool?
Yes, above-ground shutters can be installed on any pool without any masonry work. The box is installed at the end of the pool and can incorporate a bench. For a submerged shutter, renovation of the pool house or deck is generally required.
How long does a pool cover last?
It varies according to type: bubble cover (3-6 seasons), bar cover (8-12 years), winter cover (5-10 years), automatic shutter (15-20 years with maintenance). Our products are guaranteed from 2 to 5 years, depending on the model.