Sun2Solar Blue 4 ft x 8 ft Rectangle Solar Cover | 1200 Series | Heat Retaining Blanket for Rectangular Inground & Above Ground Swimming Pools | Use Sun to Heat Pool | Bubble Heating Blankets

I bought this expecting it to maybe last one year. With the amount of sun we get, I expected it to break down in a year's time. Purchased in Nov of 2021. It made it through 2 winters here in California, but was done this spring. Losing little pieces of the blue bubbles, and it tore finally.That being said, it did what I needed it to do. It kept dirt out of the pool and kept perhaps a little more heat in during the colder months. It lasted as long as the original pool cover that we had, so I think it was worth it. There's not really other inexpensive replacement covers available for the steel frame vinyl above ground pools from Intex/Bestway etc., so this was as affordable and performed probably as well as anything else would have that I found that would fit our pool (trimmed this to fit an oval shape).Just go into it with the right expectations. If you think this is going to last beyond 1-2 years, you need to reset your expectations.

I have purchased this item 3 times, dating back to 2016. The 1st two times the cover lasted 3 year each which is expected. The last time I purchased was June 2022 (exactly 12 months ago) and as I was scrolling through the recent reviews I have noticed other reviewers that their covers have rotted in EXACTLY the same location as mine. This looks like a manufacture defect. In the photo I have posted you can see my cover WHERE I HAVE CUT OUT the rotted section like in other customers photos. I’m positive this is NOT a coincidence that EVERYONES cover is rotted in the same spot. Which leads me to believe that it’s a manufacture defect in the section that fused together. I know it’s been a year and don’t expect to get a refund or replacement but I will be thinking TWICE before I purchase from this company again. Thanks for readingFrom aLoyal Amazon CustomerDJ

Update: So this lasted 2 1/2 season. It was fine up to 2 summer...about 1/2 way on the third summer, bubbles started to disintegrate and finally the cover ripped. I did keep the cover on during the day time on 3rd summer which caused algae bloom. Learned that the hard way and should uncover it in the morning from now on. 2nd cover so far and these cover don't seems to make it over 3 years. I use a pool reel and do put them away after swim season.I had 14 mil for my cover before and used it for 3 years before I decided it needed to be replaced. I accidentally purchased a wrong size (bit smaller) that the 14 min left a bit of gap toward edge of the pool, but it was able to get the temperature above 90 if I kept the cover on for a week during summer.I decided to give 12 mil a try since it was bit cheaper, and to test out the insulation. I did get correct size and trimmed away to make it fit my pool. I put it on the reel right away to make it easier to cover and uncover. Per a recommendation, I attached retractable dog leash on one side for covering of the pool for end of the night when it retracts to covers the pool (sort of). The cover extends the swim season by warming up the pool before summer starts and keeping it warm toward the end of the season. I did notice some difference between 12 mil and 14 mil cover. Mainly weight and temperature.14 mil is definitely heavier. But it puts more weight on the reel and heavier when pulling it to cover the pool.14 mil keeps the temperature warmer. In So Cal, when 14 mil covers the pool for a few days it'll raiser the temperature quickly. Keep it on for a week, it'll raise the temperature of the water to 90 degrees and possibly warmer if I kept it on longer. There were nights when I left the cover off since the water was too warm and needed to be cooled off. I left the cover on during and after a rain. With warmth and not mixing with chlorinated water, I had an algae bloom that started on the cover and spread. Lesson learned, take cover off after a rain.12 mil I've kept the cover on for a week and it hasn't quite reached 90 degrees. But I am able to keep the cover on for days when I'm not using the pool and not having to worry about getting too warm to swim.So for me I do like 12 mil better since I do not have to keep covering and uncovering on days I don't swim, but 14mil may be useful for people in bit cooler climate.14 or 12 mil, I would highly recommend getting a solar blanket. Even in Southern California summer, water is still pretty cold (some where in 70's) but the blanket will make it much more enjoyable for everyone.I'll be more diligent in putting away the pool cover after summer to see if that will stretch the life of the cover and write a follow up