Knowledge Hub
The engineering behind the ball cover
Plain-spoken, technical guides for engineers, operators, and procurement. Every article leads with a self-contained answer.
What Are Shade Balls? (And What They're Really For)
Shade balls are hollow plastic balls floated on water to block sunlight. Here's what they actually do, where the idea came from, and how industrial-grade Armor Ball® differs.
Read articleBromate, UV & Disinfection Byproducts in Open Water
Sunlight on chlorinated, bromide-bearing water can form bromate — a regulated disinfection byproduct. Here's how a floating ball cover limits the reaction by blocking UV.
Read articleIs HDPE Safe for Potable Water?
High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is widely used in drinking-water infrastructure. Here's how it's certified for potable contact and how Armor Ball® documents compliance.
Read articleWhy Floating Covers Blow Away — and How Ballast Fixes It
Wind is the main reason floating covers fail on exposed sites. Here's the physics of wind uplift and how self-filling water ballast lets Armor Ball® AQUA resist 75 MPH.
Read articleFloating Cover Types Compared: Balls, Membranes & Tiles
A neutral comparison of floating cover types — hollow ball covers, geomembrane floating covers, and hexagonal tile covers — and when each one is the right specification.
Read articleThe Lifecycle Cost of Ball Covers
How to think about the total cost of ownership of a hollow plastic ball cover — install, maintenance, lifespan, reuse — and a fair answer to the 2018 cost critique.
Read articleGet a custom Armor Ball® quote
Tell us about your site — surface area, liquid, and goals — and we'll size a cover and respond within 24 hours.
Manufactured by AWTT · 700+ installations · 25 countries · 10-year warranty