Swimming Pool Must-Haves: Fences

You can’t completely eliminate all risks when it comes to preventing drowning; however, you can be prepared. Part of that preparation is having a swimming pool safety cover and using it whenever the pool is not in use. Another part of that is having a swimming pool fence as an added barrier to preventing children from entering the pool area unsupervised. Unlike traditional backyard fences, the goal here is quite specific: to keep people from unsafely entering your swimming pool. While your pool fence may also offer a degree of privacy or run along one of your property lines, it’s not designed to border your entire yard. While some municipalities require your fence to stand at least 4 feet tall and include a self-latching, self-closing gate, other municipalities may not require a fence at all. Either way, this added safety barrier is a helpful addition to your pool-safety plans.

Basic Types of Swimming Pool Fences

The two basic types of swimming pool fences are perimeter and interior.

Perimeter fence around back yard and pool

A perimeter swimming pool fence will surround the entire yard, including your swimming pool. Usually consisting of 3 sides and going up to the back of your house, technically, this style of fence is not nearly as effective in providing safety; the basic reason is that it doesn’t allow you to have children playing anywhere in your backyard, without also having access to the pool.

By contrast, an interior pool fence will enclose your swimming pool and the immediate area surrounding it on all four sides. This scenario allows children to be in other parts of the yard without having access to the pool area. Certainly, an interior pool fence can be coordinated with a new or existing perimeter fence, sharing one or two sides and saving both space and money in the process.

Basic Styles of Swimming Pool Fences

Whether you choose to have a perimeter or interior swimming pool fence — or both — there are still plenty of options available when it comes to style.

If you were hoping for a completely natural, organic aesthetic, you may be quite disappointed with the idea of needing to incorporate a fence. However, regardless of the landscaping motif you choose for your backyard in general and pool area in particular, you can find a fence style that will coordinate with it. You have your choice of materials and design, including natural materials such as wood. Wood fences can be custom-designed to mesh with the most unique, natural aesthetic, and can provide added benefits such as privacy and longevity with the right finish and periodic maintenance.

If your style preference is more contemporary, a glass fence may be a more suitable option; however, with that comes the need for regular cleaning. Maintenance-free options include PVC, vinyl, or aluminum. Once you’ve selected a material, you’ll be able to choose between panels and posts; depending on what you choose, you’ll have varying amounts of privacy.

Swimming pool completely enclosable by glass/screen panels

Lyon Financial

Since 1979 Lyon Financial has made the backyard resort dream come true for over 400,000 families across the U.S. Through our solid relationships with more than 3,000 pool contractors and our continued commitment to putting our clients first, we have built a reputation as the first choice in providing pool financing solutions. For more information, visit lyonfinancial.net or call (877) 754-5966 today.