Pool Safety Fences: Everything You Need to Know

There are a lot of pool fence options to consider when you decide to add a pool fence and gate to your pool area. All-Safe can help you with all the pros and cons of pool safety fences, the available options, pricing, and more to consider when purchasing your new addition. This comprehensive guide will decipher all that information and more to help you make the best decision for purchase and installation of your pool fence and gates.

Pros and Cons

Every All-Safe pool fence and gate is built to be attractive and durable. Safety fences are removable and are designed with transparent mesh that acts as a reliable layer of protection around your pool. These mesh panels are resistant to abrasion, mildew, and sunlight, so they will never shrink, rip, or fade and kids won’t be able to easily poke through them during playtime.

All-Safe’s team of well-trained technicians are highly qualified to install the concentric tension-based fencing system we customize for your swimming pool. We can incorporate existing structures like exterior walls or build it as a freestanding addition to your yard. The fencing system can also include self-closing, self-latching, lockable gates that ensure you will always have quick and easy access to your swimming pool without worrying about your children’s safety.

The Pros:

• Every pool fence and gate is ASTM F2286-05 compliant, meaning they are tested for safety and up to regulation standards.
• Attractive and unobtrusive natural color options.
• Optional pool fence sections can be incorporated into existing structures to lower costs.
• Customizable designs for easy and convenient access to your pool that doesn’t jeopardize children’s safety.

The Cons:

• Pool fences will take up additional room on your pool deck.
• Depending on your pool layout, there may be less flexibility in routing options.
• If the fence is penetrated, there may not be an additional protective barrier between children and the pool. We recommend a pool safety net in addition to the pool fence and gate to prevent this.

Mesh Material for Every Option

While there are several types of pool fences, mesh pool fencing is the ideal material for safety. All-Safe removable mesh pool fences are designed with safety as the #1 priority and are manufactured to prevent children from climbing over them. This option doesn’t have slats or crossbars, making it very difficult for children to find foot- or handholds.

There are plenty of other advantages, too, including:

• Enhanced visibility
  After safety, fence visibility is one of the most important factors to consider. Removable mesh pool fences are easy to remove and replace, and while they are in use, the mesh fabric allows everything to be seen from either side. Looking through mesh material is similar to looking through translucent plastic, providing an unencumbered and safe view of the pool and most importantly, your children.
• Resilient fabric
  Mesh pool fences are one of the strongest and most durable pool fence options, as the material All-Safe uses is of the highest quality in the industry and is resistant to tearing and sun damage.
• Cost-effectiveness
  One of the most popular qualities of this pool fence is its affordability. With this choice, you will spend far less than you would for wood, glass, or chain link fences. Since this affordability doesn’t compromise safety, mesh pool fences are usually a natural choice for families.
• User-friendly design
  Whether you prefer the classic mesh pool fence or the ultra mesh design, you will come across a user-friendly experience. Convenience is one of All-Safe’s core design principles, which is why we make these fences fully removable and easily stored until you’re ready to pop them back in and use them again.

Types of Pool Safety Fences

Depending on your pool design, your local All-Safe dealer will provide you with two pool fence and gate options to choose from for installation: A-to-B pool fences and isolation pool fences. You can see images of the pool fence options our clients invested in by going to our pool fence gallery.

• A-to-B Pool FencesA-to-B pool fences are the more economical option, as they simply connect existing structures around your pool area to form a barrier. Upon installation, your All-Safe technician will attach a 40 to 60-foot fence, which includes a self-closing gate, to structures like garages, perimeter fences, or a windowless wall of your house.
• Isolation Pool Fences
  Isolation pool fences are between 60- and 120-feet, including a self-closing gate, and circle the entire pool. This fencing has four sides and acts like a box around the pool to make sure every inch of your pool area is visible for parents and protects children.

Installation Considerations

There are plenty of aspects to consider when narrowing down your pool fence and gate options. For example, it is common to have a fence be at least 24 inches from the edge of the water to ensure there is enough space to walk inside the fence. The fence should never be closer than 18 inches from the water edge so swimmers have enough space to pull themselves out from the water.

Consider these other guidelines and tips to help you plan your pool fence installation.

• Deck surface requirements
  It is a good idea to design a fence path that goes across a solid surface like paver stones, concrete, coated concrete decks, or flagstone set in mortar. Pool fences and gates are tension-based and must be set on a rigid structure that is at least 4 inches thick and 6 inches wide for stable and durable installation.
• Accommodating your pool and yard
  Ideally, pool safety fences should always be installed in straight lines, but sometimes bends and turns need to be included to accommodate the curves of your deck or pool. It’s best to avoid expecting your yard to fit your design plans and instead, plan your design to fit your yard. Your local All-Safe dealer will focus on 45-degree turns to create visually appealing fences that are safe, strong, and match your yard.
• Concrete footings
  The path for your safety fence may need to run across dirt or grass areas. For this to work, concrete footings must be used for every fence post. The footings are placed no further than three feet apart and gates are installed on sturdy stone or concrete decks.
• Pre-existing structures
  Many All-Safe customers opt for pool fence options that accommodate existing structures, such as perimeter fencing or house walls, to complete the pool barrier. These types of installations must have at least 5 feet of elevation.
• Additional considerations
  • A level surface provides the safest and most visually appealing pool fence and gate.
  • Steps along the fence path require more detailed installation techniques.
  • Sprinkler, electrical, or gas lines buried along the fence path may alter the design plan.
  • If surface dips are present, there may also be areas that children can crawl through.
  • Walls used in A-to-B pool fences should not have doors, windows, or pet entrances that can be opened by children for pool access.
  • Look out for nearby structures that children can use to climb the fence. This could include outdoor play structures, potted plants, trees, small sheds, or even bars or outdoor cooking areas may be dangerous as well.
  • Above all, double check that your installation plan is as safe as possible. Make sure the pool fencing and gate is installed at least 36 inches away from outdoor features like rock formations, decks, or food prep areas.

Installation Costs

Every All-Safe pool fence option is a good investment because they are built with convenience and safety. The cost of this investment depends on a number of factors.

Cost factors include:

• Fence height
• Fence layout and surface
• Pool deck area
• Double painted hammer-tone paint finish versus a single powder coat paint finish
• The preferred size of aluminum poles used for fencing
• Materials and Installation

When you meet with your local All-Safe dealer for your free consultation, they will provide a more accurate cost estimate. They can help pick the best pool fence and gate to balance your safety and aesthetic needs while staying within your budget.

Safety Alternatives and Additions

While All-Safe’s pool fence options are a great solution to protect your kids from falling into your pool or unsupervised swimming, there are other ways to protect them as well. Our pool safety nets, covers, and alarms can be used instead of fences, although we recommend using them as additional means of protection.

Everything in a Wrap

You should never have to compromise safety for affordability. Regardless of what pool fence and gate you find is best suited for your needs, your local All-Safe dealer is available to help you plan and install the perfect backyard addition.

Don’t delay, keep your kids safe by calling your All-Safe dealer for a free consultation and price quote today.