With all the benefits that owning a pool brings, you also have a few responsibilities regarding pool safety. First and foremost, you have to make sure that nothing can accidentally fall into the pool. Small children and animals are the most vulnerable, and the best pool fence is the only sure way to keep them out.
Even if you don’t have kids or small pets, you might be obligated by state or county regulations to put up a fence. To help you find the best swimming pool fencing, we’ve created a buying guide where we discuss all the important aspects. But first, take a look at our list of top pool fences that will significantly improve the overall safety.
OUR TOP PICK
Life Saver DIY 72-foot
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Drill guide makes installation faster
- Self-latching gate for additional safety
- Easy to remove when you don’t need it
- Limited lifetime warranty from Life Saver
Material: PVC-coated nylon mesh
Sections: 6
Length: 72 feet (12ft per section)
Height: 4 feet
Color: Black, brown
EDITORS CHOICE
GLI Above Ground Base Kit
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Designed for above ground pools
- Rigid vinyl construction ensures durability
- Eight sections allow easy fence assembly
- Covered by a 5-year warranty
Material: UV-protected vinyl
Sections: 8
Length: 64.5 inches (per section)
Height: 24 inches
Color: White
BEST VALUE
Water Warden Removable Safety
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Installation hardware and measuring template included
- Steel pins make the fence secure
- Polymer pin sleeves with cap covers (when not in use)
- Complies with ASTM F2286 UL safety standard
Material: Mesh
Length: 12 feet
Height: 4 feet
Color: Black
Sentry Safety Child Barrier
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Each section comes with 5 pre-installed poles
- Installation template makes the process faster
- Incredibly easy to remove and reinstall
- Comes with a limited lifetime warranty
Material: UV-resistant fiberglass
Length: 12 feet
Height: 4 feet
Color: Black
EZ-Guard Child Safety
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Extra durable steel/aluminum poles
- Modular design allows easy customization
- UV-resistant mesh fence material
- Four color options available
Material: UV-resistant fiberglass
Length: 12 feet
Height: 4 feet
Color: Black, brown, tan, white
Giantex In-Ground Swimming
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- High-quality 1000D mesh construction
- Climb-resistant surface prevents going over
- Strong but lightweight aluminum tubes
- Easy to roll up for convenient storage
Material: 1000D Fabric
Sections: 4
Length: 48 feet (12ft per section)
Height: 4 feet
Color: Black
GLI Safety Removable
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Pre-assembled 10ft sections make the installation easier
- Comes with instructions, hardware, and measuring templates
- Very firm and doesn’t allow anything through
- Climb-resistant design for increased safety
Material: Mesh
Length: 10 feet
Height: 4 feet
Color: Black
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Designed for securing above ground pools
- Highly customizable sections to fit any pool
- Blow-molded brackets give additional strength
- Made of durable resin with steel hardware
Material: Vinyl
Sections: 8
Length: 64.5 inches (per section)
Height: 24 inches
Color: White
How To Choose The Best Pool Fence – Buying Guide
Type of Pool Fence
While most of the products we’ve talked about are made of mesh, there are many different types of fences available each with its pros and cons.
- Mesh: Mesh fences are very common for several reasons – they are affordable, easy to install, and work well in most situations. On the other hand, mesh fences are not the strongest type and won’t be enough for larger kids.
- Aluminum: While it’s a bit more expensive, aluminum provides a higher degree of safety. In addition, powder-coated aluminum has excellent weather resistance too. On the other hand, they might require professional installation.
- Chain link: The main problem with chain link fences is that they often aren’t safe enough (easy to climb). Also, sometimes they’re prone to rust, so the durability is questionable too. Still, many people choose them because they are very affordable.
- Wrought iron: A wrought iron fence is the type of fence that you often see outside of luxurious homes and buildings. It looks great, it’s very durable but, unfortunately, it can be very expensive to buy.
- Wood: Wood fences are great for gardens and look fantastic when done properly. They are also budget-friendly, significantly reducing fencing pool costs. However, there is a good chance that the water will damage the swimming pool gates and fence over time.
- Glass: Glass is the only option that gives a clear view of the pool while providing excellent protection. However, glass fences can be absurdly expensive and glass gets stains from water easily so you’ll have to clean it often.
Color
Color is usually a matter of personal preference. Most often you’ll just want to match the color of your fence with the color of your pool surroundings, so it blends nicely.
However, color can still impact some things. For example, a black fence gets hot faster, while a white pool security fence can be harder to clean and can become yellow over time.
Fence Safety
Pool safety is the main reason to install a pool fence, and it’s important to know the limitations of a certain type of fence. For example, mesh fencing has plenty of strength for keeping small children and animals out, but won’t be very effective against adults. If you’re building a fence against intruders, you’ll need something stronger like steel or aluminum.
Strength and Stability
Strength is obviously a key feature of any pool fence. The best pool fence needs to withstand not only kids and pets but various weather conditions too. Metal fences are the strongest, but they are also the most expensive.
UV Resistance
This isn’t the first thing you look for when it comes to fencing, but UV rays can damage both mesh and coating on the metal. Having UV protection is an added plus to ensure that your fencing will last for a long time.
Removable vs Fixed
All the in-ground fences we talked about are removable (even though they might look permanent to anyone passing by). If you only need it during the offseason or when children are around, this type gives you a choice.
With fixed fencing, there is no choice – once installed, it stays there until you cut it. While these can be very tough and look fantastic, they don’t offer the versatility of removable fencing.
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Height
The standard height for pool fences (in most states with regulations) is 4 feet, which is more than enough to prevent a small child or animal from climbing over. Of course, if you’re protecting your pool from older kids or adults, taller pool fences are available too.
Ground Clearance
A fence should completely block access to the pool, including crawling under it. For this reason, you want to ensure that any distance between the ground and the fence is kept to a minimum. A mesh fence does a great job of covering this space so that nothing can get past it.
Connections
The connections on a fence can often be the weakest points, so make sure that they are solid (preferably made of metal). Connections on the best pool fence also need to be tight, unable to be dismantled easily by anyone you’re trying to keep out.
Style
Concern about ruining our beautiful pools with an ugly fence is very real, which is why style is important when choosing. Mesh fencing doesn’t rank very highly on the style scale, but some models can still look pretty nice. On the other hand, wrought iron fences are generally the most detailed ones, while glass fences give a very sleek look.
FAQs
Q: Can I Install A Pool Fence Around A Swimming Pool That Has Dirt, Sand, Or Grass?
Yes, but this isn’t ideal. It won’t be as secure as concrete, which can compromise the fence’s stability. The looser the material that you’re trying to build on, the deeper you will have to spike the poles into the ground.
Q: How To Remove A Pool Fence?
One of the biggest advantages of mesh fences is that they can be easily removed when you don’t need them. Here’s how to do it:
- Unlock the connectors that hold the sections together (usually has a screw)
- If needed, unlock the post pins from the sockets at the bottom (twist it)
- Roll up the sections one by one, beginning with the poles
- Store the pool fence in a dry space away from direct sunlight
- If you have them, close the pole sockets with caps so nothing gets in
Q: How Big Can A Pool Be Without A Fence?
It depends on state and local regulations. If you’re wondering whether you’re required to fence your small pool area, we advise checking the laws that apply to your area. This being said, in some areas with strict fencing laws, 18 inches is the maximum pool depth allowed with no fence.
Q: How Much Does A Pool Fence Cost?
For an average-sized pool, a mesh or chain link will set you back several hundred dollars. If you want a wooden, aluminum, or wrought iron pool fence, you’ll need several thousand dollars to cover the fence itself and installation costs. Finally, tempered glass is the most expensive option that can go over ten thousand dollars in some cases.
Globo Surf Overview
If you want to prevent toddlers or animals from falling in the pool, a lifesaver pool fence is your best bet. While it may seem like a nuisance to buy and install, top rated swimming pool fencing could potentially save a life. If you don’t have the money for an expensive fixed fence, even a removable mesh pool fence will give you peace of mind and make your pool a safe environment.