For most inground swimming pools, a fence is a must. In fact, in many cases, it’s literally a must, as local laws may require you to have a fence around your pool for safety reasons. However, fences can also provide a sense of privacy that’s important to many people as they lounge around the swimming pool in their bathing suits. Before making a final decision, do your research and mull over as many pool fencing ideas as possible.
Removable vs Permanent Fencing
If you don’t want a permanent fence on your property, you can get a removable pool fence to make your pool safe (and legal) during the swimming season. These fences can typically be put up or taken down in less than an hour, so it’s convenient to simply store them away when you close the pool for the season. Many people also use them as an extra level of security for young kids, removing them when the children grow older.
Removable fencing is great for people who are only concerned with pool safety. However, if you’re looking for something that provides privacy and/or an attractive appearance, there’s no substitute for a permanent fence.
Pool Fencing Goals
The exact type of pool fence you get should be based on your goals and their relative importance to you. Obviously, with any pool fence, you need something that complies with local building codes. But beyond that, some of the goals you may have for your pool fence include:
Safety. For a safety pool fence that goes beyond minimum standards, you want a surface that doesn’t provide a foothold for anyone who might attempt to climb it. You’ll also want a gate that locks, with a latch that’s unreachable by small children. To top it off, you may also want to install a pool alarm to alert you whenever someone gets close to the water.
Privacy. If you’re primarily concerned with privacy, look for something like a wood fence that completely blocks outsiders from seeing the pool area. As a side bonus, privacy fences also improve safety, as children aren’t as tempted to wander into your yard if they can’t see the pool.
Appearance. For looks, it’s hard to beat a decorative wrought iron fence surrounding your pool. However, if wrought iron isn’t your thing, there are a lot of other options to choose from to enhance the appearance of your home.
Affordability. With all the other costs associated with an inground pool, you may not have a lot of room in the budget for a top-of-the-line fence. As always, the amount of money you have to spend looms over all decisions.
Fortunately, these goals aren’t mutually exclusive. It’s not hard to find a swimming pool fence that addresses more than one need. The challenge is finding one that meets all of your needs.
How to Find Pool Fencing Ideas
While the more extravagant designs might not fit your budget, you never know where you might find inspiration. You may also want to look at pool design books to see how the pros integrate pools, fencing, and landscaping into a functional and visually appealing arrangement. Your pool fence doesn’t have to be a work of art, but there’s no reason it can’t serve its purpose while also being an attractive addition to your home.