Everything About Pool Fences And The Best Materials to Use
Did you know that there are more than 10 million residential swimming pools in the United States alone? If you happen to have a swimming pool, you might be thinking about installing a fence around it, but what kind should you choose? After all, there are chain link fences, wrought iron fences, mesh fence options, and so on. Is one fence necessarily better than the other? More than that, which one is the most stylish and affordable? Why should you have a pool fence in the first place? Keep reading and learn all about why you need a pool fence and what options you can choose from.
Why Should Your Pool Have a Fence?
One of the main reasons why your pool should have a fence has everything to do with safety. Accidental drownings in residential pools happen all the time, especially among children and pets. Without a fence to block the way to your pool, a young child or a pet could easily end up falling into the pool and unable to get back out. If you’re not around the pool to watch what’s happening, this could end up with terrible consequences. People die every day from accidental pool drownings that could easily be prevented. Many swimming pools have this problem since the majority of them don’t have any kind of fencing surrounding them. This, of course, is not a good example of water safety. While you can learn CPR to save your children or pets if they happen to fall into your pool, the last thing you want is to be stressed every time one of your family members is running around your pool.
The Details
But by installing a pool fence with a latching gate, you won’t have to worry so much about the danger factor of your pool. Instead, you can keep your family safe and focus on your pool being a place to have fun and enjoy yourself with your family. Another reason why having a pool fence is a good idea is that it can offer an extra bit of style to your pool. Whether you have an in-ground pool or an above-ground pool, a pool all by itself can look a bit dull if you don’t add something to it. By adding a simple fence such as mesh pool fencing, you can immediately change the appearance of your pool and its surrounding area. Another great reason to get a pool fence is to increase the privacy surrounding your pool. Not many people like the idea of being watched by their neighbors as they swim around in their pool. By installing a fence around your pool area, you can finally get some privacy while you enjoy your pool.
Do Above-Ground Pools Need a Fence?
Many people think that above-ground pools don’t need a fence, but this is not necessarily true. While it is difficult for a child or pet to fall into this kind of pool, it certainly isn’t impossible. If you’re not paying attention, your child might climb up the ladder to get into the pool and then be unable to climb back out. This will cause the same problem that in-ground pools have. Again, the only sure way to prevent this problem is to use some type of pool fence to block off any access to the pool. Even if you have older children or other family members, it will still be a good idea to install a fence around the pool. Older individuals can still end up in dangerous situations if they somehow end up in a pool without a way to get back out.
What Materials Are Best for a Pool Fence?
There are many types of fence systems you can choose from. Some fence materials may be better than others, depending on a few important factors. For example, there are some fences that have removable mesh. This makes it very easy to move the fence around however you see fit. You can also take the fence mesh down if you’re around to supervise the safety of your family members. Of course, if you don’t want to go to the trouble of putting the mesh up and down, there are more permanent options to choose from. Consider chain link fencing, for example. While this type of fence won’t give you much privacy, it is perfect for keeping young children and your kid’s pets out of the pool. You can even add a pool alarm if you really want to make that area completely safe.
However, the bad thing about chain link fencing is that older children will be able to climb over it if they really want to get into the pool. Some large or intelligent dogs may also be able to climb over the fence in some cases, but only if the fence is relatively short. To ensure that no one gets into the pool when they’re not supposed to, you can either increase the height of the fence or try a different option.
What You Need to Know
For example, vinyl and wooden fences are both good options. Both are quite stylish in comparison to chain link fences. Vinyl fences, in particular, come in all sorts of colors.
Some are even designed to look like other materials like wood. The great thing about vinyl fencing is that there is little to no maintenance required. So, all you need to do is have this fencing installed and you won’t have to worry about it ever again in the future. All you really need to do to keep it looking good is occasionally hose it down so pollen and other debris don’t get stuck to it. Wood fencing is also very attractive and adds a lot of privacy to your pool space. However, it does require more maintenance compared to other types of fencing. Fortunately, many modern wood fences are designed in a way that prevents them from rotting or falling victim to termite damage.
What Materials Make the Safest Pool Fence?
Which pool fence is safest for your family, you might ask? While all fences add a certain amount of safety, some are far safer than others. If you really want to make sure that no one falls into the pool and gets tangled up in any pool covers, you should think about getting a vinyl or wood fence. As mentioned before, these fences are quite stylish and offer a lot of privacy, but what exactly makes them so safe? The reason is that these fences consist of tall planks all lined up together. This makes them very hard to climb even for the most rambunctious children or pets.
If you have a vinyl fence that is particularly tall, your children won’t even be able to jump up and see above the fence. Having such a formidable fence will make it easy to keep your pool area and your family members safe. This is unlike other types of fencing such as chain link or wrought iron which some children and pets can climb over. There is also aluminum fencing which looks similar to wrought iron fencing. While this type of fence might be able to keep very small children away from your pool, it might not be able to keep out older children, especially those that are good at climbing. This type of fencing, however, should be quite good at keeping out most pets.
As long as you choose a fence that has solid panels like wood or vinyl fences, then it will be nearly impossible for children and pets to get to the pool. These fences would be the ideal option if you are often not around the pool area to supervise what’s going on.
What Materials Are the Most Durable for a Pool Fence?
The last thing you want to worry about is how long your fence is going to last. The problem is that some fence types do indeed last longer than others. For example, wrought iron has the downside of rusting after being exposed to oxygen and water over a period of time. Of course, no one wants to have a rusty fence right next to their swimming pool. While you can make sure your fence doesn’t rust by cleaning and painting it throughout the year, many people don’t want to bother with this extra upkeep. Chain link fences can also get rusty over the years.
Even though they are cheap, you will have to replace them more often compared to other types of fences. If you want a fence that will last you years and years without any trouble, you should opt for vinyl fencing. Vinyl fences are famous for their longevity and they can easily last 20 years without hardly any upkeep. As mentioned before, the only thing that you need to do is hose down the fence every so often so it looks good. Wood fences are also very long-lasting, but only if you take care of them. If the wood is sealed and if you wash down the wood every year, a wood fence can last several decades as well.
What Kind of Gate Should Be on a Pool Fence?
Of course, you can’t install a fence around your pool without also installing a gate. But what kind of gate is best for a pool fence? The trick is to get a fence that is accessible for you but not too accessible for your children or pets. It is a good idea to get a secure fence that closes on its own and also locks on its own. That way, if you happen to go into the pool area, you don’t have to worry about anyone following you when you’re not paying attention. It is also a good idea to get a fence that swings outward from the pool instead of inward.
Fences that lock on their own will make it difficult for children to figure out how to open the gate. Old-fashion gates are easy for anyone to open since a child could simply reach out and unlock the lock. But with more advanced pool gates, a young child (or an intelligent pet) will have no chance of opening it. Adding this extra layer of security will allow you to rest easy.
How Tall Should a Pool Fence Be?
The height of your fence is arguably just as important as the material you get for your fence. You might have a very sturdy vinyl fence around your pool, but if it isn’t very tall, your children might be able to climb right over it. For that reason, you will want to consider different height options for your fence. If you only have small children to worry about, a fence that is about 4 feet high may do the trick. However, if you want to be extra safe, you may want to increase the height to 5 feet or even 6. Keep in mind that the higher your fence is, the more privacy you will get as well. If you are unsure what height you should get, you should always opt for the higher option just to be on the safe side.
Chain Link Fences and Other Pool Fence Options
Whether you’re interested in chain link fences, vinyl fences, or any other type of fence, it is important to fence in your pool area to keep your children and pets safe. Many accidental drownings happen every year due to people falling into residential pools and not being able to get back out. By fencing in your pool area, you can rest easy knowing that your family members are safe. To learn more about fencing options, contact us here.
