What's inside a hide kit?
Each shop-and-go HIDE kit contains all the components for a no-fuss install by a professional contractor.
The homeowner only needs to make one decision - what inlay material should I use?
Installation Instructions
Use the latest HIDE installation instructions
Each HIDE Kit now includes a single Contractor Information page with QR codes.
Contractors must scan the relevant QR code to access the current, region-specific digital Installation Guide. These online guides are updated regularly, so they always override any printed instructions.
The digital guide includes step-by-step instructions, diagrams, required tools and key safety notes.
Licensed contractor required
HIDE products must be installed by a licensed, suitably experienced contractor.
Before starting, your contractor must:
- Scan the QR code and open the full guide.
- Read it carefully.
- Follow every step exactly during installation.
Correct installation, in line with the latest HIDE instructions, is a condition of your 20-year warranty. Failure to follow these instructions will void the warranty.
Installation instructions and how-to videos (including retrofit examples) can also be accessed from the links below.
Inlay Lid
316 Stainless Steel Inlay Lid
The HIDE Inlay Lid is engineered for long-term performance in pool and landscape environments.
- Marine-grade 316 stainless steel for superior corrosion resistance in coastal and chemically treated areas.
- Fully welded corners maintain lid rigidity, preventing twisting or distortion under load.
- Radiused internal corners provide smooth, stress-free edges and allow precise, close-tolerance fitting of inlay materials.
The lid is designed to be filled on-site with the chosen surface material – tile, stone, paver, decking, concrete, etc. Once installed, it delivers a flush, seamless finish and helps protect the inlay edges from chipping or damage when the lid is opened and closed.
For best visual results, the inlay should be cut to continue any external grout lines or surface patterns straight across the lid. Patterns such as crazy paving, modular tile layouts or directional grains can be run through the lid so the cover appears almost invisible within the surrounding surface.
Expansion clearance – do not grout tight
To allow for normal movement of both the stainless steel and the inlay material:
- Do not fill the gap between the lid frame and the inlay with grout, adhesive, sealant or any other filler.
- Cut the inlay accurately so it sits neatly within the lid, leaving the small expansion gap specified in the Installation Instructions.
- The clean joint line should be achieved by careful cutting and pattern alignment, not by hiding gaps with grout.
Correct allowance for expansion and contraction helps prevent binding, cracking and damage to both the lid and the inlay material.
EDGE PROTECTOR
316 Stainless Steel Edge Protector (External Frame)
The HIDE Edge Protector forms the external frame of the system and sets the finished depth of the Inlay Lid, making installation fast and repeatable.
Many tilers prefer the square HIDE system, as it is far easier to cut clean, straight lines than to cut round openings through tiles and stone.
- Marine-grade 316 stainless steel for superior corrosion resistance in pool and landscape environments.
- Fully welded corners for strength, stability and a clean, seamless appearance.
- A discreet keyway design is positioned on the edge of the lid so the keyhole has minimal visual impact once installed.
The Edge Protector sits around the outside of the Inlay Lid and:
- Protects the surrounding coping/surface from chipping or breakage when the lid is opened and closed.
- Defines a neat perimeter joint between the stainless steel frame and the surrounding surface, allowing for normal movement.
An expansion gap must be maintained between the Edge Protector and the adjacent coping/tiles. This gap should not be hard-grouted. Instead, use a suitable flexible expansion joint filler or sealant, as outlined in the HIDE Installation Instructions, to help accommodate movement and reduce the risk of cracking or edge damage.
HIDE SAFETY KEY
316 Stainless Steel Safety Key & Holder
The HIDE Safety Key is ergonomically designed and precision-made from high-strength 316 stainless steel.
It is the dedicated tool used to safely and easily lift the installed HIDE lid from its recess, providing access to the components below.
A HIDE Key Holder is supplied with every kit. This holder can be mounted near the pool equipment, fence or another convenient location so the key is:
- Easy to find when needed
- Protected from damage and loss
- Stored safely out of reach of children
The contractor MUST:
- Hand the HIDE Safety Key and the Homeowner Guide directly to the homeowner at completion.
- Show the homeowner where the key holder is installed (or agree on a suitable mounting location if not yet fixed).
Important safety instructions
- DO NOT LEAVE THE SAFETY KEY IN THE HIDE LID.
- ALWAYS store the HIDE Safety Key in a secure, childproof location, preferably in the supplied Key Holder, out of reach of children.
- Return the key to safe storage immediately after use.
Correct use and safe storage of the HIDE Safety Key are essential for both safety and the ongoing performance of your HIDE system.
ADHESIVE
HIDE Adhesive Cartridge
Supplied in a cartridge for use with a standard caulking gun, HIDE Adhesive is a specially formulated construction adhesive designed for assembling the Inlay Lid.
It is used to:
- Bond the stainless steel inlay tray to the chosen inlay material (tile, stone, paver, etc.).
- Bond the height adjuster, where required, to the inlay tray and/or inlay material.
Always apply HIDE Adhesive exactly as outlined in the HIDE Installation Instructions, observing recommended bead size, coverage and cure times.
Height Adjuster
Height Adjuster (2mm Acrylic Pack Sheet)
The Height Adjuster is a 2mm-thick acrylic sheet used when the chosen inlay material is too thin to achieve a flush finish once installed in the HIDE Inlay Lid.
It is positioned between the underside of the inlay lid tray and the back of the inlay material, and is always used together with HIDE Adhesive.
When packing up a thin inlay:
- Apply a controlled layer of HIDE Adhesive to the underside of the lid tray.
- Place the 2mm Height Adjuster into the adhesive.
- Apply a second layer of adhesive between the Height Adjuster and the back of the inlay material.
The combined thickness of the adhesive layers plus the 2mm Height Adjuster can build up the inlay by up to approximately 8mm in total (for example: ~3mm adhesive + 2mm Height Adjuster + ~3mm adhesive). Always follow the packing and maximum build-up guidelines in the HIDE Installation Instructions.
Depending on the HIDE product and lid size, your kit may contain one or multiple Height Adjusters.
Although the Height Adjuster is a similar shape to the stone/tile being cut, it is not a template.
Mark the stone for cutting and for the key-way position using the stainless steel lid itself (marking through the key-way opening), or by using a tape measure as described in the Installation Instructions.
Note: HIDE Concrete kits do not include a Height Adjuster.
Homeowner Care & Maintenance
Your HIDE Homeowner Guide
Each HIDE kit now includes a single Homeowner Information page with QR codes.
Please scan the QR code for your region to open the latest digital Care, Maintenance & Warranty Guide for your HIDE product.
This guide explains:
- How to care for your HIDE covers
- Safe day-to-day use
- What is and isn’t covered under warranty
You must read and understand this information before using or cleaning the area.
Protect your HIDE product – and your warranty.
HIDE covers are manufactured from high-grade 316 stainless steel, but harsh chemicals can still damage them. To keep them looking their best:
- Never use acid or acid-based cleaners on, near or over HIDE products.
- Do not allow pool acid, acid wash, or chemical cleaners to run across the stainless steel.
- Clean the surface regularly with mild, non-acidic cleaners and rinse well.
Acid contact will damage the stainless steel and will void your warranty.
Keep this information with the property.
Store the Homeowner Information page and HIDE safety key in a safe place for future reference.
If you have any questions, please refer to the digital guide or contact your local HIDE office using the details provided.
WHAT SIZE + STYLE DO I NEED?
The HIDE product range is available for Skimmer Lids, Access Covers and Drain Covers. The first step is to determine which style of HIDE product you need.
The size of your HIDE product refers to both the outer measurements of the lid, and the thickness (depth) allowed for your inlay materials. Your helpful HIDE sales professional, or your contractor, can assist with providing correct information on the size you will require. All of the outer and internal measurements for each product are provided on our product pages.
NEW INSTALLATION + RETROFITIING
The HIDE kits are suitable for new landscape projects, and in most instances can also be retrofitted in existing landscaped areas. Many customers choose to upgrade their existing landscape lids to HIDE, because of the luxury, safe and durable finish that HIDE provides.
The comprehensive installation instructions will guide the contractor through the process to achieve a seamless finish in either a new build or replacement.
I WANT A HIDE IN A DIFFERENT SIZE!
Usually your contractor can cut a new recess in your landscape area to retrofit a HIDE in one of our standard sizes. However, if our available size options do not match the recess area for your lid – don’t stress!
HIDE can manufacture custom-sized lids for skimmers, drain and access points. We will happily guide you through the custom manufacturing process.
…AND BEHOLD THE AMAZING EFFECTS!
HIDE lids can be fitted with most types of landscaping materials, including concrete, timber decking, stone pavers and tiles as thin as 10mm. Depending on where the HIDE product is to be installed, it may run across two different types of landscaping materials. Similarly, it may need to be inserted where grout lines are present, or fitted with an intricate tile pattern.
That’s totally fine! With a little extra care, the HIDE product can be installed with a minimum of fuss so it’s virtually invisible.
BACKED BY A 20 YEAR WARRANTY!
You know you are purchasing a quality product when you receive a 20 year warranty.
And that’s exactly what you receive with a HIDE kit. We offer such a long-standing warranty because we’ve designed our lids to be set-and-forget. Hide lids are 100% safe, constructed of high-grade materials with a beautiful finish, and maintenance is required only occasionally. HIDE warranty covers the Safety Key, the Inlay Lid and the Edge Protector.
Meanwhile, other traditional landscape lid options can have durability issues which require regular, and often costly, lid replacement. Due to these durability issues, the homeowner usually receives little to no warranty coverage.
So, which option would you rather?
