We’ve all seen the big, ugly pool covers taking up valuable storage space next to the pool. It’s just one of the less delightful things about owning a pool. But what if there was a better way? Join Melbourne Pool + Outdoor Design’s Belinda Coleman as she sits down with Steve Lothian, Owner of Aussie UnderCover®, to discuss the latest developments to his revolutionary hidden pool cover system.
Lothian started in the pool industry more than 20 years ago, in 2008, seeing firsthand a gap in the market, he developed an underground pool cover system for his local customers. Prior to this, the only option was for an above ground pool roller, so this product was truly revolutionary for the pool industry. In fact, the product was so popular that he began the process of developing a kit that could be installed by pool builders far and wide.
In 2021 the company brought in an extremely popular semi-remote system but, over the past year they have upgraded to a full PowerLift system allowing much more control over both the product itself and the surrounding elements. Lothian describes it as a “gamechanger” for the Aussie UnderCover system.
THE GAMECHANGER
What makes the PowerLift Frame so good? Well, the semi-automatic and other preceding Aussie UnderCover systems were drastically limited in the amount of weight they could take. Early models had to be topped by lightweight materials. Wood was recommended.
Lothian noticed that “more and more customers wanted to tile the lid frame.” As a result, he and the team worked to make it possible for the lid frame to have tiles up to 20mm thick.
Better than all preceeding systems, the PowerLift Frame ushers in a new era of pool surrounds. Able to support 30mm pavers and even concrete finishes, this upgrade means that “weight is no longer an issue,” Lothian explains.
With the PowerLift Frame, the Aussie UnderCover can have crazy pavers over it – their rise in popularity has been noted by several pool builders in this magazine, including Aussie UnderCover. In fact, the pool cover can have almost any finish on it, allowing it to seamlessly blend with any pool and surrounds.
As Lothian points out, this means that the pool cover can be “completely disguised into the landscape” of the pool and removes the need for a “metal plank that gets hot in summer” and “gives away the location of the pool cover.”
The PowerLift Frame truly ushers in a new era of pool cover storage.
WHY UNDERCOVER?
This remarkable product may at first seem like an unnecessary, though remarkable, investment, but the advantages are undeniable. The system is so much more than just an aesthetic choice. It not only saves on lifting and manoeuvring, as well as hazards associated with above-ground systems, but it also helps preserve the warranty on expensive pool covers.
Above ground pool covers are definitely an eyesore, and the systems have a tendency to blow away in bad weather, causing a lot of issues end.Many owners of above pool rollers will also move the roller away from the end of the pool while not in use to free up space. This makes returning the cover to the pool a great hassle.
The Aussie UnderCover system solves all these problems by keeping everything underground and out of the way when not in use.
Perhaps the greatest advantage Lothian points out is the advantage in pool cover warranty protection. Pool covers last a lot longer when covered while not in use. According to Lothian, most pool owners ignore this “automatically reducing the life of their pool cover.” What many clients may not know, however, is that storing the pool cover in a covered environment when not in use is a condition on most product warranties for pool covers.
As a result, the Aussie UnderCover system not only saves money by allowing the pool cover to have a longer life, but it can also save you when making warranty claims on faulty pool covers.
INSTALL TODAY
The Aussie UnderCover is very versatile allowing clients to install into an existing pool, or build it into a new pool project. As Lothian says, the “Aussie UnderCover System can be used on any pool type.” The company has developed their system for concrete or fibreglass pools up to approximately 7m wide. They can also accommodate up to about 25m long, though achieving max length can cut into the overall width. These pool
covers come in 11 different sizes “which covers 99 percent of pools” and for the remaining 1 percent, Aussie UnderCover is committed to working with the client to create a custom cover to suit.
For clients who already have an Aussie UnderCover system, but want to upgrade to the PowerLift version, the process is very simple with Aussie UnderCover designing the newer cover to add on nicely to the earlier semi-automated models and work off a four button remote, rather than a two button one.
For clients building a totally new pool, Aussie UnderCover should be planned in from the start. When addressed in the planning phase, the UnderCover system is at its very cheapest, though Lothian notes that unfortunately, “many pool owners and designers neglect the pool cover” and then incur greater costs to get it installed. Starting in the planning phase can also help sort out custom requirements for the cover system.
According to Lothian, many of the clients the team work with are upgrading from a traditional roller to the Aussie UnderCover system. They can add this pool cover to any pool, though some surrounds may be messier to alter than others. Lothian adds that the “outcome is well worth the effort.”
Over time, this product has become a great innovation in the backyard to “show off when having a BBQ with friends,” Lothian says
Images courtesy of Aussie UnderCover
