The best type of pool fence is the one that best fits your household’s needs. A family with toddlers may need a climb-proof mesh fence, while a sleek glass fence may be ideal for someone prioritising a modern design.
This choice goes deeper than just looks versus safety. It’s about how a vinyl fence truly holds up in a storm, or the one thing no one tells you about cleaning a glass fence. Let’s get into some real-world details to help you pick a fence that looks amazing on day one and that you can live with long-term.
Wooden Fencing
Everyone dreams of having a white picket fence, right? Well, it’s no wonder that wood privacy fencing is a popular material for many property owners, and there are plenty of options when choosing this type of fence. It’s a good idea to know what your property needs are before making a big decision. Privacy fences are common for properties with pools, or homes that have young children or pets that tend to wander into the pool area if given the chance. Decorative trims and caps can also be added for a more polished look. Wooden fences are sturdy and will enhance your home’s overall look and natural appeal.
Vinyl fence
Vinyl panels are best for homeowners who want a strong, tall wall that blocks every curious gaze yet won’t rust or rot the way wood and metal eventually do. PVC is non-porous, so moisture, termites, and corrosion simply aren’t on the menu.
Vinyl privacy panels can feel sturdy at first, but in windy areas, they act like a sail, leading to panels cracking, bending, or even collapsing in storms. You should reinforce and brace the fence in windy areas.
Ornamental iron fencing
A popular option for homeowners, an ornamental iron fence provides a perfect way to enclose your private pool. It is very strong and, with regular maintenance, stands up well to bad weather and the wet conditions that come along with pools. With narrow pickets, wrought iron fences provide excellent sight lines for increased supervision and safety of the pool area, without compromising the look of your yard and home.
Glass fencing
While glass is a costly option for fencing your swimming pool area, it can be a stunning choice for modern homes. As glass is fully transparent, this option provides the best visual sight lines to the pool, though ongoing cleaning needs make glass a high-maintenance choice.
What are the pool fence safety guidelines?
- The fence must be a minimum of 48 inches tall.
- The middle horizontal rail must be at least 45 inches above the bottom horizontal rail. So most three-horizontal-rail pool fence styles must be either 54″ drop rail or 60″, depending on whether there are spears above the top rail.
- The gaps between pickets must be less than four inches.
- The gap between the bottom horizontal rail and the ground must be less than two inches, measured on the barrier side which faces away from the swimming pool.
- The gate must be self-latching and self-closing.