Custom-Made 500 Micron Bubble Cover for Swimming Pool – APE, Made in France

Custom 500 Micron APE Bubble Pool Cover: Blue or Translucent Insulated Cover, Made in France

The 500 micron APE bubble cover is a custom-made insulated summer cover, manufactured in France, specifically designed to fit the exact dimensions of your swimming pool (rectangular, freeform, kidney, octagonal). It consists of a 500-micron thick (0.5 mm) polyethylene film with air bubbles, with the bubbles positioned facing the water to create a greenhouse effect and thermal insulation. Available in two colors, opaque blue and translucent, this cover fulfills four essential functions: it maintains water temperature by limiting nocturnal thermal loss, reduces water evaporation by 90 to 98%, decreases chemical consumption (chlorine, pH) by 30 to 40% by protecting the water from UV rays and external pollution, and prevents debris (leaves, insects, dust) from falling into the pool. The translucent version also offers a solar thermal gain of 4 to 8 °C due to its transparency, which allows sunlight to penetrate to the bottom of the pool.

Each cover is custom cut according to the dimensions you provide, with a reinforced sewn edge (grey for translucent, dark blue for blue) that protects the edges against wear and facilitates handling. It comes with a protective cover for off-season storage. Guaranteed for 3 summer seasons on a pro-rata basis for the translucent and 2 summer seasons on a pro-rata basis for the blue. Manufacturing time: 2 to 3 weeks after order.

How a bubble cover works: greenhouse effect and thermal insulation

The bubble cover works according to two complementary physical principles: the greenhouse effect and thermal insulation. The thousands of tiny air bubbles trapped in the polyethylene film create a layer of still air between the water surface and the outside air. This air layer acts as a thermal insulator, preventing the heat accumulated in the water during the day from escaping at night through radiation and convection into the atmosphere.

Without a cover, a pool loses 1 to 3 °C per clear, windy night, depending on the outside temperature and air humidity. With a bubble cover, this heat loss is reduced by 70 to 90%, which helps maintain a stable water temperature from day to day. In temperate climates, this can represent a gain of 3 to 5 °C in average temperature over the entire season compared to an uncovered pool.

The greenhouse effect primarily occurs with translucent covers: the sun's rays pass through the transparent film, heat the water deeply, and the heat remains trapped under the cover because infrared cannot pass through the polyethylene in the opposite direction. This phenomenon allows the water temperature to increase by 4 to 8 °C compared to an uncovered pool, depending on the sunshine and weather conditions. Opaque blue covers also benefit from a slight greenhouse effect, but to a lesser extent, as they absorb some light instead of letting it pass through.

Opaque blue vs translucent: which color to choose based on your needs?

APE offers two colors of 500 micron bubble covers, each with specific advantages depending on your priorities (thermal gain, lifespan, maintenance, aesthetics):

Opaque blue cover: Maintains the water temperature acquired during the day by limiting nocturnal heat loss by 70 to 85%. Reduces evaporation by 90 to 95%. Limits algae growth by blocking part of the sunlight, which slows down the photosynthesis of microorganisms. Longer lifespan than translucent: guaranteed for 3 summer seasons (with pro-rata warranty), but can last 4 to 6 seasons with normal use and good maintenance. Matching dark blue border. Recommended for heated pools (heat pump, electric heater) where the primary goal is to retain heat rather than gain it, and for pools highly exposed to the sun where there is a risk of overheating.

Translucent cover: Retains water temperature AND increases temperature by 4 to 8 °C due to the enhanced greenhouse effect from the transparent film. Reduces evaporation by 95 to 98%. Heats water faster at the beginning of the season (April-May) and extends swimming at the end of the season (September-October). Ideal for unheated pools or those in cool climates, where every degree gained counts. Disadvantage: transparency slightly promotes algae growth if the water is not properly treated, and translucent covers age faster due to UV rays (guaranteed for 2 summer seasons on a pro-rata basis, actual lifespan 3 to 5 seasons). Grey border. Recommended for maximizing solar thermal gain and extending the swimming season without heating.

In summary: choose blue if you have a heat pump or heater and your priority is to retain heat with minimal maintenance. Choose translucent if you don't have heating and want to gain several degrees for free thanks to the sun.

500 micron thickness: optimal balance between performance and durability

A thickness of 500 microns (0.5 mm) represents the quality standard for residential bubble covers. It offers the best balance between thermal insulation, mechanical resistance, and ease of handling. Thinner covers (300 to 400 microns) are cheaper but also less insulating and more fragile: they tear easily during handling, resist UV rays poorly, and have a lifespan of only 1 to 2 seasons. Thicker covers (600 to 700 microns) are more robust and insulate slightly better, but they are also much heavier and more difficult to handle, especially for large pools (>50 m²).

At 500 microns, the APE cover combines efficient thermal insulation (reduction of nocturnal heat loss by 70 to 90%), sufficient mechanical resistance to withstand daily handling (installation/removal) without tearing, and a reasonable weight that allows it to be easily rolled up and unrolled by two people, even on an 8 × 4 meter pool (approximately 15 to 20 kg for this surface). The 500-micron polyethylene also resists pool chemicals (chlorine, bromine, salt) and UV rays well, which explains the 2 to 3 season warranty offered by APE.

Custom manufacturing in France: adapts to all pool shapes

All APE covers are custom-made in France in the manufacturer's workshops, according to the exact dimensions you provide when ordering. This custom manufacturing offers three major advantages compared to standard covers sold in fixed sizes:

Perfect adaptation to your pool dimensions: Whether your pool is rectangular (8 × 4 m, 10 × 5 m, 12 × 6 m, etc.), square, freeform, kidney, octagonal, or oval, the cover will be cut to the exact dimensions of your water surface. It will cover the entire surface without leaving unprotected areas, and will not unnecessarily overlap the coping (which accelerates wear).

Consideration of obstacles and equipment: If your pool has integrated stairs, Roman steps, an immersed beach, special angles, or cutouts for a rolling shutter, APE can cut the cover accordingly to adapt to these specific features. You must provide a precise dimensioned plan or detailed measurements when ordering.

Optimization of covered surface: A custom-made cover maximizes thermal and anti-evaporation efficiency by covering exactly the water surface, without uncovered areas that would let heat escape or promote evaporation. For a freeform pool, a standard rectangular cover would inevitably leave uncovered areas or overlap unnecessarily.

The manufacturing time is 2 to 3 weeks after validation of your order. This time corresponds to the time needed to cut the polyethylene film to the correct dimensions, weld the reinforced edges, and package the cover with its protective bag.

Reinforced sewn edge: edge protection and ease of handling

Each APE 500 micron cover is equipped with a reinforced sewn edge around the entire perimeter, made from thicker polyethylene (approximately 600 to 800 microns) to protect the edges against wear. This edge fulfills several essential functions:

Protection against mechanical wear: The edges of the cover are the most stressed areas during handling (pulling, rolling, rubbing on the coping). Without a reinforced edge, the polyethylene film would quickly tear at the edges, creating tears that would then propagate to the center of the cover. The sewn edge protects these sensitive areas and extends the lifespan of the cover.

Perimeter stiffening: The edge slightly stiffens the edges of the cover, which facilitates installation and removal. It allows the cover to be firmly grasped without fear of tearing the thin film, and helps keep it taut on the water surface.

Aesthetics and identification: The contrasting colored border (grey for translucent, dark blue for blue) visually delimits the contour of the cover and facilitates its correct positioning on the pool. It also helps to quickly identify the orientation of the cover (length vs. width) if you have removed and folded it.

The edge is sewn by thermal welding (fusion of polyethylene at high temperature), which guarantees perfect sealing and maximum strength of the assembly. Welded seams resist traction and aging better than mechanical seams (thread + needle).

Protective cover included: off-season storage and transport of the cover

Each APE cover comes with a protective cover made of durable fabric (usually woven polypropylene or polyester), which allows the cover to be stored and transported when not in use. This cover fulfills two important functions:

Protection against UV and dust during off-season storage: When you store your bubble cover in winter (October to April), it must be stored away from sun and humidity to prevent degradation. The cover protects the polyethylene against UV rays (which weaken it and make it brittle), against dust and rodents (which can gnaw the film if stored in a garage or cellar). Proper storage in the cover can extend the lifespan of the cover by 1 to 2 seasons.

Ease of transport and handling: The cover allows the folded cover to be transported without getting dirty or torn, for example, if you need to take it to the technical room or up to the attic for the winter. It also facilitates daily storage if you remove the cover every morning: instead of leaving the cover folded at the edge of the pool where it may get dirty or degrade in the sun, you can slide it into its cover and store it in a garden shed.

To maximize the lifespan of your cover, follow these storage recommendations: (1) rinse the cover with clear water before folding it to remove residual chlorine and scale deposits, (2) let it dry completely before folding it (to prevent mold), (3) fold it without excessive compression (to avoid permanently crushing the air bubbles), (4) store it in its cover in a dry, cool place away from the sun (garage, cellar, frost-free technical room, attic).

90 to 98% evaporation reduction: water and chemical savings

One of the main advantages of a bubble cover is the drastic reduction in evaporation. Without a cover, a pool loses 3 to 10 mm of water per day in summer due to evaporation, depending on the outside temperature, wind, and air humidity. For an 8 × 4 meter pool (32 m²), this represents 100 to 300 liters of evaporated water per day, or 3,000 to 9,000 liters per month — the equivalent of several bathtub fillings wasted each week.

With a bubble cover placed at night and during the day when the pool is not in use, evaporation is reduced by 90 to 98%. The cover creates a physical barrier that prevents water molecules from escaping into the atmosphere. This results in considerable water savings: for the same 32 m² pool, you will only need to top up the level by 10 to 30 liters per day instead of 100 to 300 liters, a 90% reduction in refill water consumption.

This reduction in evaporation also generates chemical savings. When water evaporates, it carries dissolved chlorine with it (volatilization of gaseous chlorine), which requires regular additions to maintain a correct disinfection level. By limiting evaporation, the cover reduces chlorine loss by 30 to 40%, which in turn reduces your consumption of tablets, pellets, or liquid chlorine. Similarly, the cover protects the water from external pollution (leaves, insects, dust, pollen) which consumes chlorine and unbalances the pH, thus also reducing the need for pH correctors and maintenance products.

Solar thermal gain of 4 to 8 °C with the translucent version

The translucent cover offers an additional thermal advantage compared to the blue one: it provides a temperature gain of 4 to 8 °C thanks to the enhanced greenhouse effect due to the transparency of the film. This thermal gain depends on several factors:

Sunshine: The sunnier the region, the greater the thermal gain. In a Mediterranean climate or in the south of France, the gain can reach 6 to 8 °C compared to an uncovered pool. In an oceanic climate (Brittany, North) or mountainous region, the gain will be more like 4 to 6 °C.

Covering duration: To maximize thermal gain, the pool should be covered as soon as the sun sets (late afternoon) and left covered all night and all morning until the first swim. The longer the cover stays in place, the more heat it accumulates and the more it limits heat loss.

Starting temperature: The thermal gain is greater when the water is cold (early season in April-May) than when it is already warm (July-August). In early season, the translucent cover can raise the water from 15 °C to 22 °C in 2 to 3 weeks of sunshine, whereas in mid-summer it will typically raise the water from 26 °C to 30 °C.

This free thermal gain offers two major advantages: (1) it allows you to enjoy the pool earlier in the season (from April-May instead of June) and later at the end of the season (until September-October instead of stopping at the end of August), extending the swimming period by 4 to 6 weeks per year, and (2) it reduces or eliminates the need for artificial heating (heat pump, electric heater), which represents energy savings of several hundred euros per season.

Protection against debris: clean water and lighter filtration

The bubble cover also provides mechanical protection against external pollution. Placed on the water, it prevents leaves, insects, pollen, dust, twigs, and other debris from falling into the pool. This protection offers three practical advantages:

Cleaner water: You no longer need to skim the water surface every morning to remove leaves and insects that fell during the night. The water remains clean and clear, ready for swimming as soon as you remove the cover.

Less manual cleaning: You spend less time cleaning skimmers, pre-filter baskets, and the bottom of the pool, as debris can no longer accumulate in the basin.

Lighter filtration: Organic debris (leaves, insects) consumes chlorine when it decomposes in the water and clogs the filter (sand, cartridge, diatomaceous earth). By preventing this debris from entering the pool, the cover reduces the workload of the filtration system, which decreases the frequency of backwashing and extends the lifespan of the filter media.

Caution: a bubble cover is NOT a standard safety cover (NF P90-308 standard). It does not support the weight of a child or an animal and must never be used as an anti-fall safety device. If you have young children, you must install an approved safety barrier, a secure rolling shutter, or a pool alarm in addition to the bubble cover.

Pro-rata warranty 2 or 3 seasons: lifespan and application conditions

APE guarantees its 500 micron bubble covers on a pro-rata basis over 2 or 3 summer seasons depending on the color:

Blue cover: Guaranteed for 3 summer seasons on a pro-rata basis. This means that in the event of a manufacturing defect (torn welds, detached border, bursting bubbles without external cause), APE will proceed with a replacement or reimbursement according to a pro-rata scale: 100% of the new value in the 1st season, approximately 66% in the 2nd season, approximately 33% in the 3rd season. After 3 seasons, the warranty no longer applies, but the cover may continue to function normally for 1 to 3 additional seasons depending on maintenance.

Translucent cover: Guaranteed for 2 summer seasons on a pro-rata basis. Translucent covers age faster than blue ones because the transparent film allows more UV rays to pass through, which degrades the polyethylene. Pro-rata scale: 100% in the 1st season, 50% in the 2nd season. Actual lifespan: 3 to 5 seasons with good maintenance.

The warranty covers only manufacturing defects (poor welding, material defect, premature border detachment) and does not cover damage caused by incorrect use, inadequate maintenance, prolonged sun exposure without removal, storage in unsuitable conditions, or chemical degradation due to chlorine overdose or a highly unbalanced pH.

Cover maintenance: cleaning and storage to extend lifespan

To maximize the lifespan of your APE 500 micron bubble cover and maintain its thermal performance, follow these maintenance recommendations:

Regular cleaning during the season: Once a week, remove the cover from the water, unfold it on the lawn or patio, and rinse it with clear water on both sides to remove limescale deposits, algae, pollen, and dust. You can use a soft brush or a non-abrasive sponge if necessary. Never use aggressive chemicals (bleach, powerful detergents) as they will damage the polyethylene.

Daily removal during the day: During periods of high heat (July-August), remove the cover during the day to avoid excessive overheating of the water (above 30 °C, the water becomes uncomfortable for swimming). Fold the cover over itself or roll it onto a reel, and store it in the shade (under a shelter, in a garden shed, or in its cover).

pH and chlorine control: A pH that is too high (> 8.0) or an excessive chlorine level (> 5 mg/L) will accelerate the degradation of the polyethylene. Maintain a pH between 7.2 and 7.6 and chlorine between 1 and 3 mg/L to preserve the cover.

Off-season storage: At the end of the season (September-October), rinse the cover thoroughly with clear water, let it dry completely in the sun for 2 to 3 hours, fold it without compressing it too much (to avoid permanently crushing the bubbles), slip it into its protective cover, and store it in a dry, cool, and dark place (cellar, garage, attic). Never store the cover wet (risk of mold) or in direct sunlight (rapid UV degradation).

• 1 custom-made 500 micron solar cover (cut to your dimensions)
• 1 protective cover for storage

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