Who doesn’t love to swim? Sitting by the water, lounged back, with a drink in hand; it’s even better when you can do that in your own backyard. Pools can be an amazing addition to your yard.
It’s nice to have the ability to swim or kick back by the water at your convenience. It also creates a gathering place for friends and family on those warm summer days.
If you are looking to host often around your pool, it can be important to make the space as comfortable and functional for social functions. There are a number of ways to enhance a pool area, including decks, patios, and fences.
Of these enhancements, fences are a great way to not only increase the appeal of your pool area, but also increase safety around the water. One of the major concerns when owning a pool is safety.
All of the children and small pets that may visit your pool will be thankful that you took the time to fence off the water. By constructing fences, a pool owner can take the biggest step in reducing the likelihood of children and pets accidentally falling in.
Whatever your reason happens to be, whether it is sprucing up the look of your pool area, or building a safety barrier for young children and animals, there are a great number of different options for pool fences for you.
You can make a pool fence from wood, metal, glass, or vinyl, and there are a countless variety of designs. What are some things to consider when looking at whether or not to build a pool fence?
Pros
- Safety – Putting a fence around your pool is the safest thing you can do for your family and pets. It can really bring some peace of mind, knowing that you are drastically reducing the chances of accidents.
- Privacy – If the fence you choose is tall enough, and not see through, a fence can provide a secluded and private swimming space.
- Style – A fence can really add an interesting design element to your pool. There are sleek, interesting and creative ideas that can make your pool incredibly attractive.
Cons
- Accessibility – As it is with anything you build a fence around, you create limited ways to get in. The only access to your pool becomes the gates in your fence.
- Visibility – A fence cuts down on the visibility of your pool. If you like your pool as part of your view, a fence may hinder that view.
- Cost – Pool fences can be costly. To properly install a functional fence around your pool, expect to put some money down.
When building a pool fence, it is important that you remember that a pool fence need to be at least 4 feet in height, for safety reasons. Many places that sell materials for pool fences specifically sell their pre-constructed parts to at least this height.
So if you go down a DIY route, remember that 4 feet tall is the magic number for pool fences. Chain link fence is also always an option for a fence. It may not be the most flashy or high end design choice, but it is always a functional and easy choice.
The most common styles of pool fences are bars, panels, and planks. Bar style fences are often made from steel, vinyl, aluminum, or iron. There are hundreds of bar style fences that can be found online or at a landscaping vendor. A basic lattice, slat, or post fence can be made from wood or vinyl.
Glass can also be a great idea for a sleek and high end look to a fence and pool. Glass panel fences can either have metal frames, or come a frameless style with minimal metal components holding the panels in place.
Glass panels not only look good, but also have some resistance to the wears of time and damage that pool chemicals can cause to metal and wood. This makes glass a bit more of a care free option.
There is a wide range of price when it comes to pool fences. If you are looking for a wooden fence you can expect to spend between $10-$30 per linear foot of coverage. Vinyl fence can cost between $25-$40 per linear foot, and simple chain link fences fun from $8 to $12 per foot. (Source: Kompareit)
If you go for a frameless glass pool fence, your costs could range from $300-$500 per foot, depending on thickness of glass. An iron bar variety of pool fence can cost $25-$30 per foot. (Source: Improvenet)
Want more information on all the varieties of fence materials out there? Check out our definitive post on fences as well as our extensive guide on fence design software (includes free software options).
This is an amazing pool fence option if you need to build it directly around the pool because it allows you to see the pool from anywhere in and outside of the home.
This is a simple black metal post fence. this is a very simple and utilitarian way to fence off your pool. It is a classic, simple and easy to manage option. It also creates minimal obstruction of the view.
A simple wood lattice is an easy way to fence off a pool with some extra height, without blocking out too much of your view.
A tall wooden fence is classic. With a tall fence, you can have a bit of privacy for you and your family while taking a dip in your pool.
A simple wood lattice short fence provides a nice simple and safe option.
An iron bar design between concrete structures can tie a pool fence into the rest of the landscaping.
A tall iron bar fence surrounds this pool area, separating it from the garden and yard.
A white wood and brick fence brings a ranch look to this stunning pool.
This tall stone wall makes a great looking substitute for a pool fence. A creative use of walls and fence allows you to mix and match ideas. You can really vary the composition of your barrier.
White vinyl or wood bar style pool fence gives a clean breezy and bright look to this deck and pool area. Source: Zillow Digs™
A glass pool fence can have minimal impact on the look of a yard. When a yard is not a large estate, this fence does not make the space look smaller.
This fence mixes an iron bar fence with a taller wooden fence. Mixing fences can vary the look of your pool fence. Source: Zillow Digs™
A simple post style fence separates a pool from the rolling hills. This style does not block much of the view.
An interesting brick and pillar barrier acts as a pool fence surrounding this infinity pool.
A tall wooden slat fence provides privacy and solitude to this pool.
A simple mesh fence surrounds this rooftop pool, allowing a view of the cityscape.
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