The best of both worlds

Skimmer lids do much more than hide the mouth of a skimmer box – they play a critical role in the safety, aesthetics and longevity of a poolscape. A poorly chosen lid can pose a trip hazard or break if it isn't well designed. HIDE stainless‑steel skimmer lids are the gold standard for strength, and when kept clean and free of acid, they are exceptionally durable. Electrical codes in many countries require metallic lids to be bonded to a bonding grid or earthing wire. When no earthing is available – such as in renovations or older installations – installers often rely on inadequate solutions: we are all very familiar with those old, yellow, round and raised, thin plastic covers that jam and crack, creating trip hazards and eyesores, or loose tiles with holes drilled through them.   These ad hoc, loose-stone covers are illegal and will crack underfoot. They will easily chip when used, and children can fall through them.  Powder‑coating a metal lid isn’t an approved method to make it bond‑free, either, as soon as the thin coating is scratched, it is instantly conductive. The best and most suitable compliant option is either to properly earth a HIDE full-stainless frame or to use the HIDE Hybrid kit with a HIDE advanced polymer frame and its industry-standard stainless inlay lid – the best of both worlds.

HIDE’s Combination Cover range solves this problem. Their combination (hybrid) kits pair a high-grade 316 stainless‑steel lid with a non‑conductive polymer edge protector, delivering a premium flush finish without the need for earthing. The polymer frame insulates the stainless lid and eliminates the need for electrical bonding, yet it remains almost invisible once installed – only the top ~2 mm is exposed. In this blog, we look at how HIDE’s combination system works, the range of sizes and finishes available, and when it’s the right choice compared with full-stainless or full-polymer solutions.

Why Earthing Matters – and Why Combination Covers Don’t Need It

Electrical bonding regulations exist because metals are conductive. Standard stainless‑steel skimmer lids must be connected to a bonding wire to prevent stray currents in pool water. Without bonding, a conductive lid could pose a shock risk if a fault were to occur. HIDE’s full stainless kits, therefore, include a pre‑drilled hole for a licensed electrician to attach an earthing wire.

The Combination Cover sidesteps this requirement by using an advanced polymer recess frame around the stainless lid. Polymer is non‑conductive, so it insulates the metal lid and prevents an electrical circuit from forming. Because the frame is colour‑matched to the surrounding tile or grout and sits flush, it blends seamlessly into the hardscape. This design means there is no need to earth or bond the skimmer lid, making the Combination range ideal for retrofits, pool surrounds or renovation projects where no earthing wire was installed originally.

Technical Advantages of the HIDE Combination System

316 Stainless Steel Lid

The lid itself is 316‑grade marine‑quality stainless steel, the same material used in HIDE’s flagship full‑stainless kits. It offers exceptional corrosion resistance and structural rigidity, ensuring long service life even in saltwater pools. The underside of the lid is engineered for strength and stability, with no compromise on load‑bearing capacity.

Non‑Conductive Polymer Recess Frame

The polymer edge protector is the key innovation. It insulates the stainless lid so that no earthing or bonding is required. In addition to its electrical properties, the polymer frame is colour‑matched (Ash, Bone or Charcoal) and designed so that only about 2 mm of the frame is visible. This means the lid appears to be an uninterrupted continuation of the paving or coping, eliminating trip and slip hazards and avoiding visually obvious framing.

Flush, Safe & Child‑Resistant Access

Each kit has a flush‑fitting design with simple on‑site inlay fabrication for full stone coverage. HIDE’s proven safety key system provides child‑resistant access; the lid cannot be lifted without the supplied key. Discrete keyways have no fragile moving parts, so they resist debris and remain maintenance-free.

Range of Sizes, Depths and Colours

HIDE offers combination kits in three square sizes: a 342 mm skimmer lid, a 306 mm skimmer lid and a 206 mm access cover. These dimensions allow contractors to maintain a consistent look across skimmers, water levellers and other services around a pool. Each size is available with 20 mm and 30 mm inlay depths, suitable for most tile and stone thicknesses. A 40 mm concrete infill option (Ash colour) is also offered for thicker slabs or concrete installations.

Colour options match HIDE’s palette: Ash, Bone and Charcoal. Only the Ash colour is currently available for the 40 mm concrete depth. These colour‑matched polymer frames integrate with most pool deck finishes and ensure the metal lid remains discreet.

Warranties and Compliance

Combination lids carry a 20‑year warranty on the stainless steel lid and a 5‑year UV‑rated warranty on the polymer. The kits conform to Australian pool safety standards and are child-resistant, meaning they cannot be removed manually without the key. The polymer is UV stabilised, so it resists fading and embrittlement in harsh sun, and it remains non‑conductive for the life of the pool.

Concrete Infill: A Game‑Changing Non‑Conductive Option

For thick poured concrete surrounds, HIDE has released a concrete infill combination cover – Australia’s only fully non‑conductive concrete skimmer lid. This version features a 43 mm concrete lid depth with two easy‑form keyways and four lugs for optimal strength. It uses the same 2 mm stainless steel top plate but is fully insulated by the advanced polymer frame, meaning no earthing or bonding is required. Concrete infill kits are available in 342 mm skimmer lids and 206 mm access covers.

When to Choose a Combination, Full Stainless or Full Polymer

HIDE’s product matrix can be summarised as good, better and best.

• Full Polymer Kits (good) have a polymer lid and a polymer frame. They are completely non‑conductive and offer the lowest cost solution for situations where strength requirements are modest. They carry a 5‑year warranty and are only available in Australia.
• Combination Kits (better) pair the structural strength and premium finish of 316 stainless steel with the non‑conductive polymer frame. They are designed specifically for situations where no earthing or bonding is available – common in older pools, renovations or installations where an electrician cannot bond a metal lid. The combination cover provides a flush architectural finish with the aesthetic of stainless steel, without compromising electrical safety.
• Full Stainless Kits (best) are the ultimate in durability and load‑bearing capacity, offering a 20‑year warranty and a fully metallic construction. However, they must be bonded to the pool’s earthing system. These kits are ideal when an earthing wire is present and a uniform stainless finish is desired.

Choosing the right kit depends on the job. On retrofit projects where existing earthing is absent, the Combination range is the professional choice. It ensures compliance with electrical codes, avoids the risk of powder‑coated metals becoming conductive (as powder coatings are too thin and scratch easily), and preserves the clean, flush look that HIDE is known for. For new builds with proper bonding in place, the full stainless kit remains the pinnacle option. If budgets are tight or only polymer is permissible, the full polymer kit is a viable alternative.

Designing With HIDE Combination Covers

HIDE’s hybrid system is engineered for architects, pool builders and contractors who refuse to compromise on safety or aesthetics. The flush‑fitting lid eliminates trip and slip hazards, and the absence of grab points discourages unwanted access – an important consideration around children and pets. Because the polymer frame sits within the rebate and disappears into the grout line, the finished look is seamless and architectural, elevating the overall pool design.

The modular nature of the range means that skimmers, water levellers, inspection outlets and other services can all share the same form factor. The 342 mm and 306 mm skimmer covers and the 206 mm access cover each accept the same lifting key, simplifying maintenance and ensuring a consistent visual language across the hardscape.

Conclusion: A Technical & Practical Upgrade

For pool owners and specifiers seeking a non‑conductive skimmer lid that still delivers the strength, longevity and visual appeal of stainless steel, HIDE Combination Covers are unmatched. The advanced polymer recess frame insulates the stainless lid, eliminating the need for earthing. With multiple sizes, depths and colours available – including a new concrete infill option – the combination range adapts to virtually any retrofit or new build. Couple this with HIDE’s robust safety key system and generous warranties, and it’s easy to see why professionals are turning to hybrid stainless/polymer covers as the ultimate bond‑free skimmer solution.

To learn more or to explore the full polymer and full stainless ranges, visit the HIDE product pages or contact a HIDE representative. Whether you’re an architect, builder or pool owner, choosing the right lid is the key to a safer, sleeker and more durable poolscape.