Telescopic swimming pool shelters
Telescopic pool shelters are the most popular on the market today. They allow you cover and uncover the pool whenever you feel like it.
The different elements of these shelters run on rails or on wheels, and are comopsed of parts which diminish in size - they therefore fit into each other at the end of the pool, like Russian babushka dolls, which means that the whole pool can be uncovered during your swim.
There are two types of sliding mechanisms : on wheels or on rails. The rail system has the disadvantage of having visible tracks running the length of the pool, which isn't very aesthetic. However, the upside is that it can be opened and closed by one person without much effort, as the elements slide easily. However, the rails, depending on their form, can be unconfortable or even harmful to walk on and tend to collect all sorts of dirt.
The shelter on wheels doesn't have these disadvantages, but it is often harder to open and close, as both sides don't always move in perfect unison. It often needs to be manipulated by two people. Shelters come in a variety of materials. The most practical material is alveolate polycarbonate which is light and gives good isolation, but is translucent. Glass or plexiglass is more aesthetic and are completely transparent...but be careful, depending on the mateial chosen, a shelter of the same dimensions can double in weight, which makes it more difficult to move.
As the range of telescopic shelters is very wide, there is no problen in finding the one that suits you best. They come in many different shapes : arched, or with straight or cut walls. They vary in height : low, high or in between. The structure may be made of heat glossed aluminium or glued laminated timber.
In any case, be careful : there is a difference between a telescopic shelter and a sliding shelter. The term "sliding" often refers to a shelter which covers only half the pool. Therefore, don't confuse these two terms.