Installing a new pool in the backyard is an involved process, starting from choosing and preparing the site all the way through buying the floats and toys for your first pool party. Pool fencing is an important part of this process, especially if there are legal requirements or small children involved. The best time to think about pool fencing options are before the pool installation has begun, knowing beforehand whether a fence is required means you can plan for it along with everything else, to avoid any delays in using the new pool while waiting on the fencing.
In-ground pools have a wide variety of fencing options available. The first consideration to make is whether the fencing should be solid or see-through. Solid fencing provides privacy, while a fence that can be seen through opens up the space more and won’t cast heavy shadows. There are also safety benefits of a see-through fence: parents don’t have to be next to the pool to keep an eye on it and make sure there are no accidents. Glass fencing is transparent, and provides a very modern, clean look. Metal fencing also offers see-through options with mesh or wrought-iron, while wood fences can be solid or see-through. Plastic pool fencing often mimics the appearances of wood or metal and has many different styles. Swimming pool fencing tends to run from four to five feet high, and local regulations might require a certain height.
Above ground pool fencing is considerably more limited than in-ground options. The most typical type of fencing for above ground pools is vinyl or resin railing. The fencing attaches to the sides of the pool, and is sometimes sold in sections to accommodate a variety of pool sizes. With above-ground pools, there is not as much risk of a child or pet wandering too close to the pool and falling in, but fencing will still help to keep out unwanted intruders as well as prevent someone from falling over the edge of the pool and onto the ground. For above-ground pools that are surrounded by a deck with a railing, fencing for the pool itself is probably not necessary.
In some cases, permanent pool fencing is unwanted or unneeded. If the fencing is only for children who will eventually grow out of needing it, or the fencing requirements may chance depending on how the space is used, removable or temporary pool fencing provides a viable alternative. This fencing can be set up in a variety of patterns and moved as necessary. The fencing can be left up during the off-season or normal pool use, for example, and then removed during heavy use or parties.
Pool fencing can be both functional and attractive, if you consider the options and how they will fit your space. Your safety needs, personal preferences, budget, and the aesthetics of your pool and yard are all factors in finding the right fencing. Home design magazines, blogs, and fencing suppliers can all be good places to get pool fencing ideas that might work for your home.
