Most pool covers do one thing: keep the water clean when the pool isn’t in use. An Australian company called Maleco is building covers that do something different. When a pool is not in use, the Maleco Swimming Pool Cover sits flat over the water like a conventional cover — blocking debris, reducing evaporation, and acting as a safety barrier. When it’s time to swim, a key-operated switch raises the entire panel 2 meters (about 6.5 feet) into the air, where it stays suspended over the pool as a shade canopy, blocking 99.9% of UV radiation while you swim beneath it. The company calls it a 2-in-1 system, and it is the centrepiece of a product line that also includes automated covers for standard spas and swim spas.
Maleco is based in Keysborough, Victoria, in Melbourne, where it designs and manufactures all three of its cover products. The company says it sources materials from Australian suppliers and has been operating for close to eight years. Its covers are currently available across most of Australia, and the company has announced plans to expand into Florida in the United States.
The problem the company was built to solve
Maleco traces its founding to a straightforward observation about the Australian climate. On the company’s About page, it describes identifying “significant deficiencies in the market concerning pool and spa coverage” — specifically, the way Australian weather conditions, including debris, sandstorms, and irregular rainfall, can compromise outdoor pools. The company’s response was to engineer a cover system designed to be retrofittable on existing pools as well as suitable for new builds.
The result is a product line of three automated covers, each designed around a different type of water feature but sharing the same core approach: a rigid, insulating panel that lifts off the water automatically when it’s time to use the pool or spa, and closes back down just as easily.
The Swimming Pool Cover: Cover and shade in one system
The Swimming Pool Cover is the most versatile product in the Maleco range, and the most technically involved. Its defining feature is the two-stage operation. When the pool is idle, the cover panel rests at water level, functioning as a physical barrier that keeps the water clean, holds in heat, and restricts access. When activated with a key box, the panel lifts hydraulically to a height of 2 meters — roughly the same height as a standard residential pergola — and becomes a UV-blocking shade canopy suspended above the pool on a powder-coated aluminum frame.
The cover panel itself is made from SUNLITE polycarbonate, a material the company describes as blocking approximately 99.9% of UV radiation. Maleco refers to this as “Smart Solar Polycarbonate,” noting that during the day the material helps heat the water below it, while at night it acts as insulation to retain that heat — effectively extending the usable swimming season beyond what an uncovered pool would allow.
When in the lowered position, the cover reduces evaporation to near zero, which translates to lower water bills. It also cuts down on the frequency of chemical treatments needed to maintain water quality, since debris and airborne contaminants are kept out. For households with children or pets, the cover in its closed position acts as a physical safety barrier over the pool surface.
The system is controlled through a PLC (programmable logic controller) that Maleco describes as drawing on robotic technology principles. The company says the system requires no maintenance and needs no lubricant to operate.
The Swimming Pool Cover is designed for rectangular pools. For non-rectangular or irregular-shaped pools, Maleco says its engineering team assesses the pool on a case-by-case basis. The aluminum frame structure is available in multiple colours, and the polycarbonate panel itself always comes in a translucent finish to allow light transmission while blocking UV.
The Sunrise Spa Cover: Automated access for hot tubs
For standard spas and hot tubs, Maleco offers the Sunrise Spa Cover — an automated lid that replaces the traditional foam and vinyl cover most spa owners are familiar with. The premise is similar to the pool cover: press a button on the remote control, and the cover rises automatically to give access to the spa. When closed, it provides insulation that the company says exceeds that of conventional spa covers, while also preventing unauthorized access by children, pets, and intruders.
Like the pool cover, the Sunrise opens to form a shade over the spa, providing UV protection for users while soaking. It is designed for rectangular spas. The Sunrise is the entry-level product in the Maleco range, starting from AU$7,990 — roughly half the price of the company’s larger offerings.
The Sunset Swim Spa Cover: Built for larger enclosures
The Sunset Swim Spa Cover extends the same automated-cover concept to swim spas, which are longer and more structurally demanding than standard spas. The Sunset is available in custom sizes up to 8 meters long (approximately 26 feet), accommodating the wide range of swim spa dimensions on the market.
Its construction is more specified than the other two products. The frame is powder-coated aluminum — rust-resistant and built for outdoor exposure. The panel is a fiberglass sandwich construction with 100mm (about 4 inches) of polystyrene insulation inside, and it comes in white only. Like the other Maleco products, the Sunset operates via remote control and is rated maintenance-free with no lubrication required. It starts from AU$14,890.
What to keep in mind
The Swimming Pool Cover and Sunset Swim Spa Cover are sized for rectangular water features as a standard. Owners with non-standard pool shapes will need to contact Maleco directly to determine feasibility, and outcomes may vary depending on the geometry involved.
Maleco does not publicly specify maximum pool dimensions for the Swimming Pool Cover, so buyers with unusually large pools will need to confirm compatibility before purchasing. Custom sizing adds a layer of communication to the buying process that a standard product purchase would not require.
The cover system also adds a fixed aluminum structure around the pool perimeter and overhead. While the design is clean, it is a permanent installation that changes the visual character of the pool area — worth considering for buyers who prefer an open-air aesthetic when swimming.
Distribution is currently limited. Maleco covers are available across most of Australia but not in Western Australia or the Northern Territory. International availability outside of Australia is limited to a planned rollout in Florida, with no confirmed timeline given for other U.S. states or international markets beyond that.
Pricing and availability
All prices are listed in Australian dollars (AUD).
- Sunrise Spa Cover — from AU$7,990 (approx. US$5,730)
- Sunset Swim Spa Cover — from AU$14,890 (approx. US$10,680)
- Swimming Pool Cover — from AU$14,990 (approx. US$10,755)
Maleco offers payment plans through Handypay for customers who prefer to spread the cost. Pricing is listed as a starting point; final pricing depends on pool or spa dimensions and configuration.
Source: Maleco
