The Different Types of Pool Fencing: What You Need to Know
Australian and NSW pool safety standards dictate that any pool area must be surrounded by a fence that separates your swimming pool from your property. Although required by law, as the pool owner, the type of fencing you choose is entirely your decision.
However, it isn’t necessarily a straightforward one largely due to the range of choice available. As a result, it’s important you carry out thorough research before making a decision.
In this guide, we will explore the most popular types of pool fencing available to you, taking key factors including safety and style into consideration to help you find the perfect design for your property.
How to Choose the Right Type of Fencing for your Pool
Nowadays, homeowners almost have too much choice when it comes to choosing pool fencing.
The biggest challenge is finding a style of pool fencing that meets Australian standards of pool safety whilst also suiting the style of your property perfectly.
At Seamless Fencing & Glass we make no compromises on the level of safety we offer and we also believe that pool fencing should blend in naturally with its surroundings.
What Types of Pool Fencing are Available?
In this section we compare different types of pool fencing, exploring the benefits, drawbacks and standout features of each to help you find the perfect style.
The most popular styles of swimming pool fencing are:
Glass Pool Fencing
Glass pool fencing is split into two main types, frameless and semi-frameless.
Both as equally contemporary and modern in style as the other, they differ in the way in which they’re installed.
Semi-frameless pool fencing sees glass panels secured to stainless steel or aluminium posts which connect the glass while frameless pool fencing sees glass panels installed into spigots secured to the ground at the bottom of the fence.
Frameless glass fencing in particular continues to grow in popularity, offering unobstructed views of your pool area and is the perfect way to monitor young children playing in the swimming pool whilst also meaning you never miss out on any priceless family moments taking place either.
Frameless glass pool fencing options does differ in cost when comparing to other styles of fencing but as a pool barrier, there aren’t too many more stylish options out there.
At Seamless Fencing & Glass we specialise in this type of pool fencing, working to ensure our custom designs complement your pool and backyard as a whole.
We also only use fully endorsed toughened glass, prioritising safety above all other features.
This means security and durability are no longer factors you need to worry about when it comes to glass pool fencing.
Metal Tubular Fencing
Metal swimming pool fencing can be split into two main types: Aluminium and steel.
Steel and aluminium pool fencing may look the same to the untrained eye but in fact, there are several key differences. Steel is a far heavier fencing material than aluminium meaning its not an ideal DIY solution for your backyard swimming pool.
In fact, while an aluminium pool may be lighter we would never recommend pool fence installation as a DIY project, the pool safety regulations that need to be abided by, as well as the level of skill required to install fence panels and pool gates securely mean it should be left to a professional.
One of the key benefits of aluminium pool fencing is that it is extremely long-lasting, this means you don’t have to have any worries regarding rust or corrosion. This also makes it very easy to maintain in the long run.
Aluminium and steel pool fencing are also seen as offering a more traditional design to a swimming pool and yard area.
When it comes to steel and aluminium fences there is a range of design styles to choose from. The two most popular are flat top and loop top finishes.
Flat top – sees vertical bars fixed within the top and bottom horizontal rails.
Loop top – designed in the same way with vertical bars fixed to a bottom horizontal rail but finished with a tubular fencing ‘looped’ through the top rail in a style that looks like it is bent round to its neighboring bar.
If you’re looking for an unobstructed view of your pool then frameless glass pool fencing is likely the best choice for you. However, if you’re looking for a slightly different style, one that matches perfectly with your security gates or front yard fencing then the extra secure choice of metal fencing could be ideal for your swimming pool.
Mixed Fencing
One style of pool fencing we see continues to grow in popularity of both concepts, with frameless glass for the unobstructed view from the entertainment area with flat top tubular fencing running along the less visual areas, or commonly where foliage is the backdrop.
We find this combination subtly exhibits that you have some given some thought on how to best complement the varying functions and aesthetics that occupy and make up your little oasis.
Other Styles of Fencing for Your Swimming Pool
Other types of metal pool fencing also include wrought iron, however, steel and aluminium fencing remain the most popular choices in regards to metal.
If you’re currently constructing a new pool it is also vital that you erect a temporary barrier around the pool area. A mesh pool fence may be an ideal temporary solution but is no competition for permanent pool barriers in the long term.
It is also worth noting that spa pools that do not include a securely fastened, child-resistant lid also require a fence in order to prevent access while the pool is not in use as per NSW pool safety regulations.
Timber is another alternative to the aforementioned swimming pool fencing materials. Although slightly cheaper in price than glass or tubular styles there are a number of drawbacks to timber fencing. These disadvantages include having to be treated far more than a glass fence for instance with the level of maintenance higher as a result.
Final Considerations
We hope this guide has helped to break down the different types of pool fences available. Whatever choice you make, first and foremost your priority should be to ensure pool safety.
At Seamless Fencing & Glass we have over 25 years of experience designing and installing glass, steel, and aluminium pool fencing. We offer a no-compromise installation and can work closely with you to find the ideal fencing option for your swimming pool.
