Answer
Sep 30, 2026 - 11:51 AM
Yes, for a solid winter pool cover, the black side must face down toward the water, while the colored or lighter side faces up toward the sky.
The black underside acts as a complete light block, which prevents photosynthesis and starves algae of the sunlight it needs to grow, saving you significant clean-up time during spring opening. Conversely, the top lighter colored side is specially treated with UV inhibitors to withstand direct sunlight without degrading prematurely, while also reflecting excess heat to preserve the cover's structural integrity over harsh winter conditions.
When installing, unroll the cover so the black side rests directly on the water surface, feed the cable through the perimeter grommets, and secure it tightly using the winch under the top rails.
