How much does a Pool Enclosure cost?

Typical pool enclosure cost ranges from $50 to $110 or more per square foot depending on design factors and options like size, layout, configuration, wind load, etc.  Additional cost include, shipping, site prep, installation are all considerations.  Now let’s understand how this cost is determined, but first what is a pool enclosure.

Pool Enclosure

Pool Enclosures are an architectural product, it is an actual building that encloses the swimming pool and the deck area.  They are building structures that require a foundation and designed to meet local building codes.  Stamped engineering drawings are required for each location to ensure the building meets snow and wind loads and are submitted to the local town or city for building permit approval prior to installation.

Design Factors of Pool Enclosure Cost

Typical pool enclosure prices are determined by the following main factors or options:

  • Size of the Pool Enclosure
  • Enclosure Design
  • Fixed or Retractable Pool Enclosure
  • Snow load & Wind load
  • Framing Materials & Glazing

Size of the Pool Enclosure

Size determines everything.  Typically the larger the enclosure, the lower the cost per square foot, but the overall cost will be higher.  That is why when considering the enclosure size consider the layout of the pool and deck.  If the swimming pool and pool enclosure is new, consider looking into a seating area beside the pool for lawn chairs, lounges, tables, etc..  Some projects get into features such as fountains, diving board, rocks, slides, planters or other decorative items that may be placed around the pool and the walking area around these items.  And don’t forget at the end of the swimming pool a pool cover, either built in or on the deck, space is usually over looked for this piece of equipment.

Enclosure Design

Once the size is determined the design of the enclosure needs to be considered.  The design is also influenced if it will be a freestanding enclosure or attached to an existing structure.  If attached to an existing structure the interface and height needs to be looked at to ensure it compliments and functions well with the existing structure.  When attached to an existing structure the enclosure cost maybe lower if a wall section is not required, but if a house interface or a house attached is required it may be the same or slightly higher in cost.

Fixed or Retractable Pool Enclosures

The second major factor on cost is deciding between a fixed or retractable pool enclosure. Retractable pool enclosures cost more than fixed enclosures because of the increase complexity when covering the same area.

A fixed pool enclosure is simply a fixed building that doesn’t move and the most cost effective to build. By adding sliding bi-fold doors, windows and sliding doors enhance the fixed building by providing fresh area in the summer months.

Fixed pool enclosure

Retractable pool enclosures or telescopic pool enclosures on the other hand have fixed and moving sections of the building to be opened in warmer weather uncovering the pool and deck area. The moving sections also known as bays typically slide over or under each other.  Your pool in effect becomes an indoor or outdoor pool whenever you open or close the enclosure.  This greatly enhances the function of the pool area when opened by extending the deck beyond the enclosure area. Typically the bays are moved by hand and require two people to open and can be closed over a 5 to 10 minute period.  New telescopic pool enclosures are easier to move, but over time it requires more effort. It is recommended that all retractable pool enclosures be purchased with an electric drive system that automatically opens and closes the enclosure.  This increases retractable pool enclosures cost, but well worth it over time and if you are alone or have any physical or health issues, it would be a must have.

Retractable Pool Enclosure Open

Snow load & Wind load

Considering snow and wind load when deciding an enclosure is the last thing on people’s minds, but not the engineer’s.  If you live in an area that receives a lot of snow and wind then the indoor outdoor pool enclosure must be designed for it.  Because pool shelters are not designed for any real snow loads or wind loads, they typically fail for this reason and have a limited life.  So, the higher the snow and wind the larger the structural members or framing will be.  These larger framing components will also increase the pool cage cost, but not by a huge factor since pool enclosures are first designed for high winds and snow loads. And they will stand up to the weather no matter where you live.

Also the roof of the enclosure should not be flat in any section but have a peak or gable roof as a minimum to allow snow and water slide off the enclosure.  On any weaker system, too much rain, freezing rain or snow will result in the collapse of the pool cage.

Framing Materials & Glazing

Pool Enclosure structural framing materials can range from wood, steel to aluminum but not unsupported or non-reinforced vinyl (vinyl alone doesn’t have the strength).  Aluminum is considered to be best due to its ability not to rust or rot in an indoor outdoor pool environment. The high humidity created by the evaporation of pool water will require a HVAC system if wood or steel is used.  Even then, over time the wood and steel will deteriorate if regular maintenance is not performed.  The additional cost of the HVAC as well as the electricity to run the HVAC continuously should be considered.

The glazing or the material used to cover telescopic pool cages range from acrylic, polycarbonate to tempered or laminated glass. The acrylic and polycarbonate are more cost effective and durable than glass but during cooler months condensation maybe visible on the inside.  This will not be an issue for the aluminum framing but over time will be for wood or steel, which is why wood windows are not usually installed in homes to day.

If glass is considered it must be tempered or laminated for safety reasons.  It is heavier requiring the structural framing members to be larger to support the load increasing the enclosure cost.  Even tempered glass also can break on impact and more care is required not to hit the glass with the pool skimmer pole or other pool equipment.

Pool Shelters

Pool shelters are also called an enclosure, but are in fact a low cost structures that are made for mild climatic areas to be used in areas with no snow or very little snow and low wind areas.  Any warranty, if provided, clearly states that that snow must be removed, straps, poles to secure the building in high winds or the unit must be dismantled in order to avoid the warranty being void.  These shelters are not considered part of swimming pool enclosures prices in this article.

Average Pool Enclosure Cost

With everything to consider it sounds pretty expensive for pool cage cost, but not as much as you might think. At Covers in Play we prefabricate each Retractable Pool Enclosure system and ship it knockdown to the installation site. So the onsite assembly and installation time is reduced to approximately a week for smaller units or so, depending on the size and complexity of the enclosure design.

The system also has lots of options allowing for economizing the design to suit various client needs and site conditions.

With all the considerations listed above the average cost of pool enclosure ranges from $50 to $110 or more per square foot depending on all the options.  Applicable taxes, shipping, site prep, installation are all considerations.

23 thoughts on “How much does a Pool Enclosure cost?

  1. We are looking for an enclosure to cover our existing pool. Do you sell pool enclosures without the automatic/ motorized system to open or close and do I really need it.

    • We recommend a drive system for all of our enclosures except the very small units. Our enclosures roll quite easily on our tracks and tapered frictionless bearings without a drive system, but due to the weight of the enclosures required for strength the unit will require some force to move. Enclosures can weigh as much or more than a car.

      Some pool enclosures on the market that don’t have a drive system require the bays to be moved individually requiring quite a lot of time and effort to open or close. But with Covers in Play enclosures you can close it with a push of a button when it starts to rain and open it after the passing storm clears. No effort or worry about slipping and falling.

  2. We are looking at a dome system and live in an area where we get a bit of snow. But once every few years have a good amount of snow. How does your enclosures compare.

    • A dome system is very similar to a windshield covering that can be used in warmer climates, but as the name suggest the covers are not designed for colder climates where snow can accumulate on the unit. Snow must not be allowed to accumulate and must be removed otherwise it can collapse. Covers in Play’s patented aluminum framing system is designed with snow and wind in mind and no snow removal is required.

  3. Excellent post. I was checking constantly this blog and I am impressed! Very helpful info specifically the last part 🙂 I care for such info much. I was seeking this certain info for a very long time. Thank you

  4. We are looking to enclose a space (30X12) under our deck. We do not need a roof. We are located in the Waterloo area. Can you send me an estimate? Thank-you!

  5. Thanks for finally writing about > How much does
    a Pool Enclosure cost? | Welcome to the World of Covers in Play Blog < Liked it!

  6. looking for a retract cover for a small pool and greenhouse about 12 to 14feet by about 20 feet in the snow country attached to walkout basement

  7. Great info and detailing which gives me ideas and answers so many questions. One I have that is not mentioned is how is it shipped from Canada to California and do you have an ideal of custom charges, taxes, etc. Another question as what kind of contractor would you suggest? Another thought, I want a electrical retractable slide unit and want it to be around pools but only want it about 6 feet tall. Is that possible? Living in Central California there is Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, and very windy March/April and I want to cover from leaves. But I still want to open it back in rainless months of May-September. Our winds can be great in March and April only. We have no snow at all. Maybe one fluke hailstorm. I want to be able to use my pool YEAR ROUND. My pool is 25′ x 45′ and cool deck of around two to three feet. The pool is next to house and this wall could be used. I have 10 feet and both ends for retractable. The shape of pool is like teardrop. Does your company have option of sending qualified setup people?

    • Thank you for contacting Covers in Play. We ship all around the world and provide a technician onsite during the build of the enclosure to work with your local contractor and crew. We will be reaching out to you to answer more of your questions about your project.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *