18 x 40 ft Pool Safety Covers

An 18 x 40 ft pool takes a 20 x 42 ft cover. Two PoolTux Royal mesh covers at this size, green and blue, both plain rectangles.

2 covers made for this size

Questions about this size

What size safety cover fits an 18 x 40 ft pool?

A 20 x 42 ft cover. The extra 2 ft is the overlap onto the deck, about a foot on each side, and that is where the anchors are set.

How much weight does a cover this size have to hold?

485 lb, since the pool is well over 8 ft wide. ASTM F1346 applies it as 210 lb, 225 lb and 50 lb, each spread over one square foot and all within a 3 ft radius, and describes it as two adults and a child, enough to get someone out.

Do these need a cover pump?

No. Both covers at this size are mesh and self draining, so rain and snowmelt go straight through into the pool. Mesh passes some light, so the algaecide dose under it is commonly doubled.

What stops something slipping under the edge of the cover?

ASTM F1346 tests for exactly that. Section 7.2 requires that deflection under load does not let the test object pass between the cover and the side of the pool, and 7.4 requires any opening, in the cover or between its edge and the deck, to be small enough and strong enough that it cannot be forced open. The strap tension and the anchors are what satisfy it.

Is there a version with a step?

Not at this size. Both covers here are plain rectangles with no step cutout. A stock step panel is 8 ft wide and 4 ft back at the water line, and a pool that needs one, or needs larger, takes a custom cover.

Other pool sizes

Select pool size

12 x 20 ft 12 x 24 ft 14 x 28 ft 15 x 30 ft 16 x 32 ft 16 x 34 ft 16 x 36 ft 16 x 38 ft 18 x 36 ft 18 x 40 ft 20 x 40 ft 20 x 44 ft 25 x 45 ft
Everything else: all inground winter covers