Owning a swimming pool is one of life’s great gifts, especially in the summer months when your neighbors peer into your yard longingly, wishing that they had a nice cold pool to jump into. There are a few risks involved with having a pool, however, and one of them is unintentional drowning.
The best way to avoid a tragedy is to install a safety fence around your pool. With a myriad of options and all sorts of bells and whistles, shopping for a new pool fence can be a bit overwhelming. Luckily, we’re here to help you find the best pool fence to meet your needs.
Top Picks for Best Pool Fences
Preview | Product | Price | |
---|---|---|---|
Giantex Pool Fence in Ground Fencing Section 4Foot X12Foot Kit Safety Mesh... | $74.99 | Buy on Amazon | |
Blue Wave NE145 Above Ground Pool Fence Kit (8 Sections) - White | $299.99 $172.00 | Buy on Amazon | |
WaterWarden Pool Fence 4’ x 12’, Removable Child Safety Pool Fencing,... | $68.96 | Buy on Amazon | |
WamBam Traditional 4 by 7-Feet Premium Yard and Pool Vinyl Fence Panel with... | $145.00 | Buy on Amazon | |
XtremepowerUS 90130 Pool Safety Fence HD 4X12 Sand Beige Stainless Steel... | $85.95 | Buy on Amazon |
What is a Pool Fence?
A pool fence is exactly what it sounds like: a fence for your pool. To do its job right, a pool fence needs to be a complete barrier around your pool to separate it from the rest of your home. There should be no way to enter your pool except through a designated gate in the pool fence.
Swimming pool fences come in many shapes and sizes and can be made out of a variety of materials. Some fences are permanent, while others are easily removable for times when they’re not needed.
Why You Need a Pool Fence
The main reason to have a fence around your pool is for safety. If you have children, pets, or anyone at home who is uncomfortable swimming or unable to swim, a pool safety fence is a must.
Even if your children are great swimmers, many homeowners’ insurance policies have a ‘pool addendum’ that actually requires a pool fence for your pool if your children are under a certain age. The risk of drowning is a serious concern and when it comes to the safety of your family, you can never be too careful.
Having a pool fence is a convenient way to keep pets and potentially wild animals out of your pool. It’s also a good way to wrangle pool toys and keep them contained out of the rest of the yard. Pool fences are incredibly beneficial in so many ways but there are so many options out there, where do you start?
What Types of Pool Fences Can You Buy?
Mesh Pool Fences
Mesh fences are (in my humble opinion) the best, least expensive, and lowest maintenance option on the market. Almost all of our product recommendations are mesh just because they are so accessible and affordable to the majority of people.
Mesh pool fences are recommended for family homes with children. Although these types of fences can be installed by yourself in just a few hours and can be removed when needed, they are sturdy and have great visibility.
Wooden Pool Fences
Wooden fences are adorable, especially around gardens and front yard flower beds. Pool fences can be made of wood and look amazing but they do come with a few drawbacks. The constant contact with water can cause damage to the wood, making frequent repair a costly issue.
The major problem with wooden fences is lack of visibility. They are not at all seethrough, making it a challenge to tell if someone has made their way into the pool area undetected.
Vinyl Pool Fences
Vinyl fences are an attractive option for pool fencing due to their reasonable price tag, self-installation, and the fact that they can be made to look like wood or metal with very little maintenance. They are really strong and usually set in concrete, making them permanent safety solutions for your pool area.
The only downsides to vinyl fencing is that is it not removable (it that’s your thing) and the visibility is less than you’d get with a mesh fence, although it depends on the design.
Wrought Iron Pool Fences
Do you know the fancy house that you always pass on your way to work? Well, chances are they have a wrought iron fence somewhere on their property. These types of fences are gorgeous but also very expensive. They are also very easy to climb, making them lovely and stylish but not especially practical for a pool safety fence.
Glass Pool Fences
Glass fences are also architecturally beautiful and are made with space-age glass that has zero chance of breaking. They do, however, come with a hefty price tag and a whole lot of maintenance. Glass pool fences have the best visibility out there to keep an eye on your little ones but the cost is having to clean those panels every single day. Oh, and forget about privacy.
Which Type is Best?
The best type of pool fence is going to be entirely up to your needs. If safety and price are your highest priorities, then mesh fencing is going to be the way to go. However, if you’re creating a gorgeous backyard landscape that would rival a monarch, you pretty much have your pick of materials.
Several of the options out there do allow for a self-latching or self-closing gate. So if you have young children and your goal is to keep them out of the pool when unsupervised, getting a compatible fence is definitely a good idea.
What to Consider When Buying a Pool Fence
There are several important factors to consider when purchasing a pool fence that will be determined solely by your preferences. Here are the main things to look out for when making your decision.
Installation
Getting a pool fence that’s easy to install yourself is a no brainer. If you had the funds to hire a pro, why not get a contractor to make you a custom fence in the first place? Our goal is to find some great options that you can DIY without being an expert handyman (or woman).
All of our recommended fencing solutions are easy to install, DIY projects that can be completed in a few hours’ time. The main things you need to know ahead of time are your measurements (to determine how many panels you need) and what tools the job will require.
Color & UV Resistance
The color of the fence won’t affect its safety or effectiveness but it does matter to the aesthetics of your yard and the way it will weather over time. Most fencing comes in white, black, or tan with very few other options out there. Lighter colors are preferable for areas with direct sunlight, although almost all mesh is going to be black, sometimes with colored trim.
A good idea is to match the fence with the other colors surrounding it to coordinate as much as possible. If you live in a warm/hot climate and your pool is in direct sunlight all day, make sure to look for pool fences that have some kind of UV protection. This will ensure that the materials aren’t damaged by the sun right away.
Safety & Strength
Safety is the main reason most people with pools install a fence to begin with. With children at home, the safety and strength of your pool fence are the most important considerations when looking to purchase a new fence. In this case, it’s not just decoration you’re going for, it’s strength and durability.
Make sure to look for a fence that is tall enough that your kids can’t climb or jump over it and that it’s strong enough to withstand even the charge of a toddler during their worst tantrum. Keep an eye out for terms like ‘tension-based support’ and ‘vinyl/polyester mesh coating’ to ensure you’re getting the strongest product out there.
Removable vs. Fixed
Installing a permanent fence is a big commitment. You probably want something that you know will last for years to come and look good the whole time. But maybe you’re a grandparent who only has the grandkids over on weekends and doesn’t really like having a fence around your pool.
Fixed fencing looks great and offers a bit more stability for longterm use than removable fences, especially since most require concrete footing on installation. Removable fencing, however, provides safety when you need it and can be stored away when you don’t. Whatever your circumstances, there are pool fences out there just for you.
Does it conform to your state and municipal codes? Your insurance policy?
This is an important one, although, probably the least interesting to talk about. Many states and municipalities have specific codes when it comes to swimming pools and fences. If your state or local government mandates specific swimming pool fencing, then this is an important detail to check before you buy.
The other consideration is the legal language in your insurance policy. If your homeowner’s policy specifies guidelines or requirements for your swimming pool safety equipment, make sure you read the fine print!
Does it come with a warranty?
This is a bit of a trick question. Many of the best pool fences out there come with some form of warranty but as we all know, warranties are never that simple. The limitations of warranties can be a real pain to deal with, especially if you were counting on it when you purchased the product.
The bottom line is that you should think of the warranty as a bonus that may come in handy someday, rather than a failsafe in case of issues with the product down the line.
Best Pool Fence Reviews
#1 Pool Fence DIY by Life Saver Fencing Section Kit, 4-Foot
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The Pool Fence DIY Kit by Life Saver features one 12-foot long section of mesh fence with a 4-foot height (as recommended by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission). It’s supported by five integrated posts made of heavy gauge aluminum, and the kit comes with easy-to-follow instructions that make installation a breeze.
Pros:
- Made with industrial-strength mesh
- Comes with a limited lifetime warranty
- Easily removable when no children are present
Cons:
- The latching hooks are a bit tricky to use
- May ship with missing parts. Be sure to buy from a trusted seller.
#2 Giantex 4-Foot Swimming Pool Fence
This Giantex pool fence is made from lightweight aluminum tubing that is durable and strong but can easily be rolled up and stored when you no longer require the fencing solution. The plastic cap sleeves work well with either grass or cement base and all sections connect easily together, making this an excellent solution for anyone who wants to increase the safety of their pool.
Pros:
- Climb-resistant mesh surface
- Extremely strong aluminum tubing
- Can be easily installed and removed by one person
Cons:
- Instructions are a bit unclear with unspecified drill sizes
#3 GLI Above-Ground Pool Fence Base Kit
This solid 24-inch fencing by GLI helps to safely keep unwanted intruders out of the pool and keep toys and water games in. The rigid vinyl construction is maintenance-free, UV-protected, and can be mounted on any above-ground pool. The mounting brackets are super-strong with rounded edges that easily attach to your pool’s uprights. Installation is easy and fencing can fit any pool.
Pros:
- All installation hardware is included
- Made from a durable, rigid vinyl with UV protection
- Satisfies most homeowner’s insurance requirements
- Comes with a 5-year warranty
Cons:
- Does not come with self-tapping screws (pre-drilling holes in posts is a must)
- May need to trim a few pieces to fit when installing
#4 Water Warden 4-Foot Swimming Pool Fence
The Water Warden safety pool fence system comes fully adjustable 12-foot sections for a perfect fit around any size or shape pool. The fencing comes complete with hardware, measuring template, instructions, a free installation video, and can easily be installed or removed in minutes by a single person. Available in 4-foot or 5-foot height.
Pros:
- Easy to install
- Very sturdy when assembled with unique climb-resistant mesh
- Comes with a 5-year warranty
Cons:
- Prolonged sun exposure can make the mesh brittle
- Poles are prone to rust and possible corrosion
#5 Sentry Safety Visiguard 4-Foot Swimming Pool Fence
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VisiGuard by Sentry Safety, made of interwoven fiberglass, is the most transparent fence in the industry. Constructed with a powder-coated aluminum that will withstand even the harshest elements, a strong frame of lightweight PVC piping, and a stainless steel rod that anchors the fence into the ground that resists breaking when removed for storage. The fence comes pre-assembled in 12-foot sections supported by poles every 3 feet for easy installation.
Pros:
- Easy installation and removal (with the right tools)
- High-quality components and strong frame
- Comes with a limited lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Sun damage may be apparent after a few months
#6 WamBam 4-Foot Traditional Swimming Pool & Yard Fence
Keep your pets and children safe with the WamBam Traditional Pool and Yard Fence. Offering a clean and simple design, this premium-grade vinyl fencing comes with a lifetime warranty to stand the test of time. This 4-foot high white fence conforms to most pool codes and the 15 pickets in the panel minimize the space in between, making it safer for your pets and children. Designed for ease of assembly, this clean-style fence is the perfect product for your pool fence or yard fence needs. Available as white fence only.
Pros:
- Low-maintenance, sturdy, functional, and aesthetically appealing
- Easy to clean
- Built-in UV inhibitors protect it from the sun
Cons:
- Requires digging post holes and concrete footing
- Not easily removable once installed
#7 XtremepowerUS 4-Foot Swimming Pool Fence
Made of a lightweight and strong aluminum frame, the XtremepowerUS pool fence is durable and long-lasting. This fence can be rolled up when not in use for easy storage and space-saving. It comes with plastic covers for the postholes when the fence is not in use. Easy to install, the fence comes complete with hardware, instructions, and 4 sections of fencing.
Pros:
- Easy to install and remove when no children are present
- Climb-resistant mesh and stainless steel construction
- Tan-colored mesh looks great with most pools
Cons:
- Does not come with a warranty
Conclusion
By now, you’re sure to be an expert in swimming pool fences and hopefully, this guide has helped in your decision making. A pool fence can be a decorative, practical, and sometimes completely necessary addition to your pool area—all depending on the needs of your family.
A swimming pool can be a dangerous place if you’re not prepared to meet the challenge. With a pool safety fence, your family and pets have an extra layer of protection from unforeseen accidents. Just remember, a pool fence is not a substitute for child supervision but can be a great supplement to your existing safety procedures.
Once you’ve made your decision and installed your new fence, you can rest easy knowing that your friends, family, neighbors, and pets will be safe around your pool for years to come.