There’s nothing quite like an old-world wrought iron fence. They’ve been used for centuries to protect and create an imposing look that says, “keep out!” For many property owners and homeowners, wrought iron is one of the best ways to secure a property — and it also looks great. But did you know that black aluminum fences provide much of the look and style of a wrought iron fence without much of the cost, weight and difficulty in installation and maintenance?

In a sense, they’re basically aluminum wrought iron fences, and they’re every bit the heavy duty aluminum fence that you’ll need to adequately secure a property. They also look the part, too, with finials and all the right decorative pieces to give your home that great wrought iron look without the headache of actually owning and taking care of a wrought iron fence. 

Here are some more reasons why you may want to consider aluminum fencing vs a wrought iron fence.

Wrought Iron vs Aluminum Fence Cost

First and foremost, black aluminum fences are much more affordable than their wrought iron counterparts. While wrought iron is roughly the same cost per square foot — though it can easily be significantly more if you opt for more ornate wrought iron fencing — you’ll lose your shirt on shipping because they’re significantly heavier than the light weight of black aluminum fences.

The weight also makes wrought iron fencing much more difficult to work with, meaning that your installation costs will shoot up significantly. Whereas you might be able to get by with some limited labor to install a black aluminum fence, you’ll need significantly more resources at your disposal to manage and see that heavy wrought iron fence installed on your property. 

Wrought Iron vs Aluminum Railings Maintenance Costs

Even once your wrought iron fence is installed and securely in the ground, your cost concerns aren’t over. That’s because wrought iron is much less durable than aluminum fencing that won’t rust or corrode out in the weather all day, every day. Sure, wrought iron is tough, but iron is subject to rust, and years of being out in Mother Nature will take its toll on your new wrought iron fence if you don’t keep up with maintenance.

To protect against this, wrought iron fences are covered with special protective paints, helping to shield the welds, joints and the material itself from corroding over time. Unfortunately, the paint won’t last forever and has to be reapplied every few years, leading to considerable maintenance concerns. 

On the other hand, black aluminum fences hardly need any maintenance at all. Black paint can make them look more like old wrought iron fencing, but it’s more of an aesthetic concern, not a requirement to keep that fence from degrading under precipitation, weather and the other dangers of being left out in the open. 

Aluminum Fencing vs Wrought Iron Color Options

If you’re interested in a wrought iron fence, you basically have one color option. Wrought iron fences are typically black because that was the color of the paint used to protect them. While you could change the paint, you’ll have a lot of work ahead of you. After scraping and removing all the existing paint, you’ll have to apply a new paint layer and ensure that it’s able to provide protection against wear.

Beyond that, you’ll have to keep up on maintenance with a wrought iron fence in a way that you wouldn’t with an aluminum fence. A black aluminum fence won’t require any of those maintenance concerns, and aside from being able to repaint it in any color you’d like, you can also order them in black, white or bronze to fit your precise need and aesthetic tastes before it ever gets to you.

Older style houses with lots of greenery may look best with a black aluminum fence, though desert landscapes and more modern designs may be a better fit with white or bronze. It all depends on whether you want your fence to stand out or blend in, though if you’re interested in the traditional wrought iron look you’d do best to stick with classic black.

The Benefits of Aluminum Fencing

For all the differences between wrought iron or steel vs aluminum fence panels, it’s clear that a black aluminum fence gives you the look of a wrought iron fence without the cost, weight and maintenance concerns of wrought iron. Aluminum fencing is also much easier to install and work with, which can greatly reduce your up-front installation costs. Add to that the back-end of maintenance that you’ll need for a traditional wrought iron fence and a modern aluminum fence comes out the clear winner.

All in, aluminum fencing is cheaper, easier to install and comes with negligible maintenance concerns or costs. And with the countless style options you have with black aluminum fences, you can get much of the same look with aluminum that you get with wrought iron with virtually none of the trade-offs. Furthermore, the various color options allow you to fit your new fencing to the needs of your property as well as your aesthetic tastes, which can help that fencing fade into the background or call attention to itself as a stunning example of what’s possible with aluminum today.

The best part is that black aluminum fencing can be made in a variety of styles from the classic and simple Floridian to the imposing Sierra and other various designs including Outback fencing, Carolina fencing, Appalachian fencing, Manhattan fencing, Puppy fencing, XP fencing, Castle fencing, Commercial fencing, Elegant Arch fencing, Cathederal fencing, as well as Gates, Accessories and more! If you can think it up, you can likely get a black aluminum fence that fits your need.

Black Aluminum Fences From Aluminum Fences Direct

Helping to empower the DIYers of the world, here at Aluminum Fences Direct we sell aluminum fencing to contractors, property owners and homeowners that want great fencing at affordable wholesale prices. We’ll ship everything you need to install your fence (minus the basic tools you’ll need) direct to you so that you can build a fence for a fraction of the cost of hiring a company to come out and install one for you. With just two people, you can install a professional looking black aluminum fence of your own. Get started by browsing our aluminum fencing options today.

Houses and properties typically need a fence to keep people out and secure the things, people and pets inside. But no fence is complete without a functional gate that allows you and your family easy access in and out while maintaining a protective barrier at all other times. For some, a simple latch and gate that opens and closes is all you’ll need to make your fencing functional. For others, gates are an opportunity to impress, or at least to enhance your home’s curb appeal in a way that flatters the design of your home or the landscaping out front.

The reality is that there are many types of gates for houses and properties, and selecting the right one is almost as important as the fence you have in the first place. After all, if a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, a fence is only as protective as its gate, or where you and your family gain access to your property. With a poor choice when it comes to the types of fence gates at your disposal, you could be left with a protective barrier around your home that may not protect much at all.

The good news is that no matter what kind of fence you have or what it’s made of, you can find many types of entrance gates that can complete the look, as well as helping you get in and out of your property without leaving a gaping hole in that fencing. More than anything, a stunning gate can elevate the impression of your entire home, and the best part is that it can also help you secure your home and prevent unauthorized access in the times that you’re at home or far away from it.

Typically, when starting out with front gate design ideas, you’ll want to mimic or match the general style of your existing fence. That means largely sticking with the materials that make up your home’s fencing. Indeed, the types of gates you use for your fence may look the best when matching; a wood fence would be suited best by a wood gate in the same way that an aluminum gate would best suit an aluminum fence. 

However, you may also want to consider upping your game when it comes to the types of gates used for homes. A gate is a large moving part and typically must be stronger and more robust than fencing that will likely see lower use than a gate that is opened each day to enter and exit the property. In that sense, you may be able to get away with mismatching fences and gates, though the gate design itself should suit your fencing as well as the rest of your home in some way.

Wooden Gates

With all the types of gates for houses available out there, much of the distinction between gates does come down to what the gate is made out of. And no gate material is more popular than wood. Not only does a wood gate create a classic look, but it can add a comforting feeling to those that think that there’s nothing better than a white picket fence with a matching gate out front. Wood is also easy to work with, which is great for DIYers, and it’s also easy to up the privacy with solid wood pickets that can prevent others from seeing into your property.

However, wood gates and fences are a fickle beast. They often rot and otherwise deteriorate under the weather, and that means continuous maintenance concerns, as well as a need to paint every nook and cranny of the wood in a special kind of protective paint. Wood is also very heavy if you want a gate that can add security, and that can make it difficult to obtain or to work with as your wooden gate and fence will generally only be as strong as the weight of the wood you use.

Vinyl Gates

For those that want the look of wood without the weight and maintenance concerns, vinyl is one of those up and coming types of gates for houses that can give a rigid outdoor barrier. Today’s vinyl gates won’t collect water or rot, nor will they show marks like painted wood gates. That can make them a better option than wooden gates that look basically the same but are much less protective and aren’t really able to sit out in the elements. In fact, vinyl gates are often made to actually mimic the look of wood, even down to flourishes such as faux wood grain.

That said, a vinyl gate isn’t perfect, and one of the most common criticisms of vinyl gates is that they can fade under the sun’s rays, especially after a few years. That’s why most vinyl gates require sealant like a traditional wood gate, and that means a vinyl gate isn’t quite the fix when it comes to Mother Nature — though some vinyl gates will come with this protective barrier installed from the factory. When in doubt, ask the seller if such a coating is supplied with the gate you’re interested in.

Composite Gates

Along with the uptick in usage of vinyl gates and fencing, another possible type of gate for your home is a composite gate. They can be made to mimic just about any type of building material such as wood, metal or stone, and many people won’t be able to tell the difference between a composite gate and the real thing. That can make a composite gate much more affordable than, for example, going with a real stone gate, and the savings in weight may also make some types of gates possible that wouldn’t be feasible otherwise.

However, if you’re trying to closely match an existing stone wall or another fencing material, you may find that composite gates will come up short. Sure, from faraway you may be able to get by with a composite gate that doesn’t really match up, but upon closer inspection it’ll be easy to determine if that composite gate is a facsimile. Whether that’s important is up to you, but it would be a concern to anyone that wants a perfect match between their gate and fence.

Chain Link Gates

While it won’t win any design awards, a chain link gate is one of those types of gates for houses that simply does the job. They can be rather unsightly, but they’re also strong and robust because they’re made from metal. It’s why schools, parks and other places opt for chain link gates — they’re much more affordable than other types of fencing materials and they can be erected with minimal effort in a short amount of time.

Unfortunately, chain link gates — and fences — aren’t ideal for homes not only because they’re ugly but because they can be easily climbed by anyone from kids to adults. To truly prove protection, you’d need an obscenely high fence, and that can do a number on the curb appeal of your home — and so can a more reasonable height chain link gate or fence. Furthermore, chain link fences must be washed and coated frequently to prevent rusting and other damage that can make that gate look even worse over time.

Wrought Iron Gates

As one of the original types of gates for houses and other properties where a touch of elegance and refinement is needed, a wrought iron gate is heavy and robust, and it also looks great. Having been used for hundreds of years, wrought iron can bring an old world feel to any home or property. They’re commonly painted black to complete the look and to provide a protective barrier against the world, and wrought iron designs are some of the most intricate and interesting designs you can get in a gate or fence today. 

But a wrought iron gate is also incredibly heavy, which can make it difficult to work with and ship, and that can drive up prices significantly. Wrought iron gates are also not immune to the elements as they can rust or degrade over time, and that means having to constantly maintain them, reapplying the protective paint and dealing with all those paint chips. You’ll also need to sand your gate every couple years, which can dramatically drive up your maintenance concerns and costs.

Aluminum Gates

For those that want a strong metal fence without all the weight and maintenance concerns, one of the best types of gates for houses is made from aluminum. Available in traditional black to mimic wrought iron fencing, white for a more modern look or bronze for a more regal impression, an aluminum gate is lighter than most metal options and is stronger than wood and other faux gates. Not only that, but aluminum is often recycled, meaning that you can do your part for Mother Nature while helping your home look and feel its best.

Aluminum also won’t rust or degrade out in the elements, which makes it an ideal gate and fencing material when it comes to maintenance. Furthermore, aluminum gates come in many styles to match just about any taste or home, with classic looks such as the Floridian, the Sierra or Appalachian style. Look for your next aluminum gate from Aluminum Fences Direct!

Whether your existing fence needs replacing or you’re looking for a way to define a property line and add some much needed security without breaking the bank, it’s common to decide between an aluminum vs wood fence. Not surprisingly, traditional wood fences are incredibly common. They’re cheap and easy to install, but that’s not the entire picture. 

While it may be possible to set up a wood fence in a day or two, that wood fence has very real maintenance issues that must be evaluated to understand the true total cost. Wood fences are also much less durable and represent a significant reduction in security and protection, especially as they deteriorate over time and allow just about anything through their barriers. 

On the other hand, an aluminum fence may actually be the better choice when it comes to the true cost of ownership, both in a financial sense and in a recurring time commitment. After all, just because you can erect a cheap wood fence today doesn’t mean that it won’t come back to haunt you tomorrow, next season or next year.

Let’s take a look at aluminum vs wood fences and see which one really comes out on top.

The Cost of a Wood Fence vs Aluminum

Regardless of the material you choose for your next fence, the cost to you doesn’t end once you’ve obtained the materials. There’s also labor, how difficult it is to build and install the fence and ongoing costs. To truly evaluate the difference between aluminum vs wood fences, all these extra costs need to be considered. If you also need to purchase tools to fabricate or install the fence, you’ll also want to take that into account.

Unfortunately, wood is right now getting extremely expensive and hard to find. Not only will that significantly raise the price of a wood fence, but you also need to consider maintenance and repairs. Given a long enough time frame, you may have to completely replace that fence once it wears away after a few years.

However, an aluminum fence won’t cost you much of anything once it goes up, which can represent significant savings over a traditional wood fence. Furthermore, once the fence goes in, an aluminum fence doesn’t need to be painted, stained or have boards replaced, which keeps those long-term costs down.

That said, the overall cost of an aluminum vs wood fence is actually rather similar over the long haul. But if you can get a great aluminum fence for the equivalent cost of a wood fence, why wouldn’t you? The aluminum fence requires less maintenance and attention, which helps you save time and eventual replacement down the line.

Aluminum and Wood Fence Maintenance

As we already mentioned, a wood fence has to be meticulously maintained if you want to get more than a year or two out of it. If you live in an area with inclement weather, you may not even make it through the bad seasons before that wood fence starts disintegrating in front of your eyes. Not only does wood warp, rot and chip, but they can also be a haven for pests such as termites and other bugs that could end up jeopardizing your home.

Compared to wood, an aluminum fence is incredibly durable, especially for its light weight. That can make it easier to install, but it’ll also stand the test of time because aluminum can’t rust, rot or disintegrate. Bugs and mold can’t set in, and they also hold their color much better than comparable wood fences. When it’s all said and done, an aluminum vs wood fence is ideal because it needs no extra maintenance, touch-ups or any work at all. Add to that the long life and an aluminum fence is the much better option vs a wood fence.

A wood fence needs to be inspected, cleaned and repainted or re-stained frequently. And if you have no interest in taking care of that fence year after year, you may want to opt for an aluminum fence instead.

Installing a Wood vs Aluminum Fence

In addition to higher maintenance costs, the true cost of a wood fence vs aluminum should also take into account the installation itself. Unless your time is free or you can find someone to work for you at no cost, the price of a given fence does not stop after you buy the materials. 

It’s even more of an issue if you hire a contractor to create a wood fence for you from scratch. Sure, it can be a standard-looking fence, but each wood fence must be built to suit the unique property it sits on, and many things can go wrong with even the simplest of builds.

On the other hand, an aluminum fence will arrive to you in premade panels that are easy to set up and work with. Instead of building a fence plank by plank, an aluminum fence needs only to be attached to each other and stuck in the ground. That can make for a much faster installation with aluminum vs a wood fence, which greatly reduces the installation costs as well as the annoyance of getting that fence up and done.

Additionally, the smaller 2×2 post holes needed for an aluminum fence are easier to manage than the larger 4×4 holes needed for a wooden post, which means less concrete and less dirt removal during the job.

Retain Your Views With an Aluminum Fence

Since an aluminum fence lacks boards that can form a solid barrier like with a wooden fence, they’re also ideal for those that want to retain sight lines out of their property. If you have a great view out back and you don’t necessarily want to cover it all up with a solid wood fence, an aluminum fence is a great option to preserve those views while also preventing unauthorized access. 

That said, it’s not like all wood fences provide a solid barrier against sightlines and privacy. Most have openings that can be easily seen through, making it a poor privacy option if that’s important to you.

The Looks of an Aluminum vs Wood Fence

While most property owners may focus on the functional aspects of a new fence, you can’t deny that a fence has a lot to say about how your property looks. Whether from the outside or the inside, a fence is a large barrier that can disrupt sight lines and give your property a much different feel. 

Sure, most people like the look of a wooden fence, but how that wooden fence looks on day one is hardly what it may look like next season or next year. Without proper maintenance, a wood fence could actually start to detract from your property, and it can also make it difficult to see in and out. Things such as chipping, fading and peeling paint will set in over time, as well as rotting and other damage if you live in a high-precipitation area.

An aluminum fence can give a sophisticated and old-world look that is as timeless as it is classic. In fact, many aluminum fences are designed to look just like wrought iron fences that are incredibly heavy, hard to work with and deteriorate easily over time. An aluminum fence is basically the opposite with no ongoing maintenance issues to worry about. Aluminum can’t rust or corrode, so you could be looking at decades of faithful service with an aluminum fence vs a wood fence.

Is an Aluminum Fence Better Than Wood?

In the debate of aluminum vs wood fences, aluminum is actually the clear winner in most instances. While the total ownership cost may be similar over the lifetime of the fence once you factor in labor, maintenance and other concerns, an aluminum fence requires no extra work once it goes up. Compared to a wooden fence that needs constant attention and maintenance, that can make an aluminum fence a much better option.

Generally, aluminum fences last decades — averaging about 30 years — before needing to be replaced. As mentioned, a wood fence may only last a season or a couple years before needing comprehensive maintenance or replacement. Furthermore, if a couple strong storms come through, that wood fence may end up significantly damaged.

When considering how long an aluminum vs wood fence takes to install, the aluminum fence comes out on top again. Much of the work is actually done for you at the factory, and once you take delivery of your new aluminum fence all that’s left is to line up the panels and anchor them to each other and the ground. A wood fence requires a lot more work along the way, which can dramatically increase your associated costs, not to mention the time it all takes.

Given that costs are equivalent and may even be cheaper with an aluminum fence, it’s truly up to you to make a decision based on maintenance concerns and looks. Sure, there’s nothing quite like a white picket fence, but there are better options if you’re willing to reevaluate what a fence goes best with your needs. 

Get started today by browsing our aluminum fence styles and pricing.

A great new fence around your property can be as beautiful as it is protective. Not only can it help keep the riff-raff out and children and animals in, but it can also be a striking feature that enhances the look and feel of your home. But if you’re just getting started with the selection process, it’s true that there are a lot of options out there. However, if you want robust fencing that will stand the test of time, wood is hardly the answer. For that, you’ll need something stronger.

Two of the most popular and long-lasting fencing materials are aluminum and steel. But aluminum fencing vs steel fencing isn’t just about the hardness of the material — steel would surely win every time out. In fact, both are excellent fencing materials that can look remarkably similar to each other, making it difficult to see the difference between true value and what could cost you significantly more over time.

Steel vs Aluminum Fence

When it comes to aluminum fencing vs steel fencing, it’s true that from a pure strength standpoint, steel is both stronger and more secure. That’s not to say that an aluminum fence will fall down in the next storm or give you problems years into ownership — it won’t — but it is an undeniable fact that steel is simply stronger than aluminum.

However, that strength comes at a cost, and steel is incredibly heavy as a fencing material, which can make it difficult and expensive to ship, install and work with. If there’s ever a problem with your steel fencing, it may also cause damage to your property if it comes into contact with any landscaping, fixtures or walls.

Like aluminum, steel fencing comes in different designs and types, such as pickets, colourbond and tubular, all with their own advantages and disadvantages. That said, steel fencing does require significantly more maintenance and attention over time as steel can rust, corrode and otherwise fail due to weather, especially if maintenance needs are not addressed.

Pros and Cons of Aluminum Fencing

Compared to steel fencing, aluminum fencing provides much of the same security and strength without any need to maintain or give much thought to your aluminum fencing at all. Aluminum is more durable since it literally cannot corrode or rust, even if it’s not treated or painted to keep the elements out. On the other hand, steel needs to be protected to give years or decades of faithful service while aluminum is innately impervious to the worst that Mother Nature can do.

Over time, that can represent significant savings since an aluminum fence never needs to be touched-up or repainted to prevent damage. Unlike steel, aluminum doesn’t need some kind of protective coating to hold off corrosion over time, and that makes it much cheaper from both a time and financial commitment over the years.

The best part is that aluminum fencing can be made to look like other types of fencing. If you’ve ever considered the cost of wrought iron vs an aluminum fence, you’ve likely seen how expensive beautiful wrought iron fencing can be. From the considerable maintenance costs to expensive shipping and installation due to their sheer weight, it’s often the case that a wrought iron fence will cost you a small fortune when it’s all said and done.

However, aluminum fencing can give you the very same look and feel as old wrought iron fencing with none of the maintenance or other issues. Painted black, an aluminum fence with finials and other decorative elements can highlight the best of wrought iron fencing with none of the drawbacks. And because aluminum won’t corrode or rust, you won’t have to worry about repainting all those nooks and crannies every season just to prevent your fence from falling apart.

From closely packed pickets to ball caps, finials and arched loops, the decision between aluminum fencing vs steel fencing doesn’t need to be made based on looks or appearance alone. Aluminum fencing can actually look indistinguishable from wrought iron fencing, as well as being cheaper to ship, install and maintain. And if you want to try other looks, there are dozens of aluminum fencing styles ranging from simple to elegant and ornate, as well as everything in between. Even if you need a robust commercial fence, aluminum can fit the bill, too.

Evaluating Steel vs Aluminum Fences

Considering the wide disparity in aluminum vs steel fence costs, aluminum offers incredible value for the price. Not only is it cheaper than a comparable steel fence, but it comes with none of the downsides such as extensive maintenance concerns and a much heavier weight that’s hard to ship and work with. A steel fence is also much more expensive than a comparable aluminum fence while providing no real benefit in security beyond what an aluminum fence provides.

Alternatively, aluminum fencing gives you all the protection of a steel fence without the ownership headache. That means you don’t need to choose between aluminum fencing vs steel fencing because aluminum retains much of the strength and look of traditional steel fencing without the associated installation and maintenance costs.

Indeed, an aluminum fence can be simply cleaned with water and soap, and even if you have it surrounding a pool area or a place where the weather turns frequently, you won’t have to worry about corrosion like you would with steel or another kind of fencing material.

Its light weight is also great for DIY projects since everything comes pre-installed with easy-to-work-with panels that need to just be fastened to each other and into the ground. Compared to traditional wood fencing that needs large, 4-inch holes to secure it, an aluminum fence can easily be installed with smaller, 2-inch holes that require less concrete and work, making the entire installation project that much easier.

Buy Your Next Aluminum Fence Wholesale

To save even more money on a fence around your property, consider buying your next fence from a wholesaler. With more than a dozen styles and looks to better match your tastes and your home, Aluminum Fences Direct works directly with homeowners and small and medium sized contractors as one of the premier aluminum fence distributors in the U.S.

Our aluminum fences are made right here in the U.S.A. to our exacting standards, and our convenient instructions allows homeowners and other DIYers to equip their home with a robust and beautiful aluminum fence with minimal work. Buy fencing today!

Now that summer is nearly here, it’s time for more sun and fun in your backyard areas. But if you have a backyard pool or spa, you’ll need a robust fence to control who has access to your pool, especially when you’re away. After all, unless your property line is sealed, children may make their way into your pool without your knowledge, and that can lead to an accident or worse.

Unfortunately, some homeowners may errantly think that a portable pool fence is a good alternative to a permanent fence that can block access in the absence of a supervising adult, but they’re often less safe and can introduce a whole new set of dangers to your pool area. Additionally, many states and municipalities actually require safety pool fencing that abides by specific guidelines as to height, rigidity and installation — and you likely won’t be able to satisfy those demands with a portable pool fence, nor should you want to.

The reason fencing is needed is that children may be enticed towards the pool even if it’s not swimming time. The glistening of the water and toys or other items in the water can draw young children in — and they won’t know that no one’s watching them if they have easy access to the pool from the backyard. 

The Dangers of Drowning

While it’s every parent’s biggest fear, drowning in a backyard pool is exceedingly common. In fact, after accounting for birth defects, drowning is the number one cause of death for children between the ages of 1 and 4. Even if your attention is only misplaced for a second, a child can often make their way to the pool without being spotted, particularly when there are obstructed sight lines involved. 

It’s why the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends being vigilant whenever there is a pool on the premises — even in the case of a hot tub or an inflatable pool. And, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), drownings under the age of 4 happen almost 70 percent of the time when there was no expectation that the child would be in the pool area; in almost half of the instances, the child was last seen inside the house, not in the backyard or around the pool.

The Importance of a Pool Fence

Whether your backyard pool is a permanent, in-ground pool or a temporary portable pool, a fence is required. Even if you’re just setting up a pool for the day and you plan on being around, you’ll need some kind of pool barrier to prevent small children from accessing the water in those times when adults are distracted or elsewhere. 

That’s because most drownings for children under the age of 4 occur in a pool or spa at home. While each story is different, there are certain commonalities that typically start with the child wandering out of the house and into a pool area that wasn’t fenced off from the home. Sometimes they slip out a door — other times they crawl out windows or through doggy doors — and it’s often the case that the parents or a chaperone was unaware the child was even outside.

More than a quarter of the time, drownings happen at a neighbor’s or a friend’s house. There may be no national safety pool fencing law, but some states and cities are wising-up to this danger and mandating that all pools within their jurisdictions have sufficient fencing. If your state or city doesn’t have this requirement, it’s still a good idea to have a fence around any pool or hot tub in the backyard.

Pool Fencing Requirements

From portable pool fencing to permanent installations, a pool fence should be at least four feet tall and have four sides, completely encasing the pool itself. Even if you have fencing around your backyard or the pool is in an area that seems safe, you’ll need a fencing option that can keep any unauthorized access out, especially when you’re not around.

In addition to certain height requirements, a pool fence must be climb proof. That makes many portable pool fencing options a no-go since they’re not locked into place by concrete and other permanent fixtures. Sure, you may save some money on that portable pool fence, but it’s not really providing the safety that you might expect. If there are any nearby obstacles that children can stand on to gain leverage or to help them scale the fence — or otherwise compromise the design — that portable pool fence may be little more than a short-lived barrier to unwanted pool access.

The vertical slats on pool fences must also be no more than 4 inches wide, which helps keep small children and pets from squeezing through the gaps. Some poor fencing options may feature slats that are too wide or that lack the strength to resist prying, which negates the whole point of a pool fence in the first place.

As for the entrance into the pool area, experts suggest that the fence should have a self-latching and self-closing gate that opens away from the pool area, and that the latch itself should be situated towards the top of the fence, or at least 54 inches from the ground. That will put the latch out of a child’s reach, but still make it easy for adults to get in and out.

For those times that the pool is not in use, the gate must be able to be locked — either with a mechanism on the handle itself or a simple padlock that can be threaded through the gate — preventing anyone from accessing the area. It’s also a good idea to keep all toys and items out of the pool when it’s not in use. Toys may entice a child to enter the pool area on their own, and getting everything out of the pool communicates that the pool is off limits.

What About Alarms or Pool Covers?

It’s an unfortunate truth of pool drownings that there’s rarely an indication that anything has happened at all until a body is found. Any sort of struggle or thrashing about is often too quiet to break the din of the day’s festivities, and a secure fence is still the best way to prevent unauthorized access to any pool area. 

But an alarm can help give you an additional layer of protection along with that fence. Alarms can be placed at the pool gate, at the back door, or on ground-level windows, though a pool alarm is something that listens for screaming or a sudden burst of activity in the pool, alerting you so that you can spring into action before something happens. 

Some may believe that pool covers represent an alternative to a pool fence, but a cover is much less safe than you may think. To provide security, a pool cover must not be easily pulled up or retracted more than a few inches. The pool cover may be huge and heavy, but if a child can slip under a corner, that cover isn’t providing any sort of actual security. Additionally, the cover itself needs to not collect water on top since children can drown in as little as a couple inches of water. 

Note that typical solar and winter pool and spa covers are not security covers and shouldn’t be treated as such. Additionally, floating covers may be the worst of the bunch because a child could try to climb on top, getting sucked down as their weight pushes the cover in.

A Portable Pool Fence Isn’t Good Enough

Given the requirements and what you need from your pool fence — four feet of height, four inches between each slat, a self-latching and self-closing gate out of the reach of children, a lock and no climbable features — it’s true that a portable pool fence is wholly inadequate. Most temporary fencing isn’t rigid enough to adequately protect your pool from unauthorized access, and over time it can get even worse as that temporary fence starts to wear and wiggle to a point where it may not provide any meaningful protection at all.

While parents should always be around whenever kids are in the pool, it’s hard to keep 100 percent of the focus on the pool area. You could always assign a water watcher, but if they’re on their phone or involved with other activities, they’re not giving their undivided attention. A permanent pool fence is one of the only proven ways to minimize the chances of an unfortunate accident, and when combined with other strategies it can help make that backyard pool a source of fun and excitement, not cause for worry or dread.

Beyond a good fence and some kind of pool supervisor, it’s also a good idea to outfit young children with life jackets or other buoys that can help keep them above water if they should inadvertently fall in. To help enhance their swimming skills, it’s a great idea to enroll your children in swim lessons — or demand swim lessons or certifications for all kids that swim in your pool. 

For the adults, it’s a good idea to get CPR training so that if an accident does happen, an adult can help. And if your child goes missing, make it standard practice to check the pool first. Time is of the essence, and seconds can mean the difference between life and death.

All that said, the first place to start is with a secure and strong pool fence. Here at Aluminum Fences Direct, we sell robust aluminum pool fencing that you can install yourself at home. Click here to get started.

Whether you’ve had a pool for years and your existing fence is in need of replacement or you’re considering adding a backyard pool but you’re unsure of where to start, you’ll need a fence that is both safe and matches your desired aesthetic. The good news is that there’s certainly no shortage of pool fencing ideas for you to draw on, and instead of leaving you with a blight on your backyard, they can actually enhance the feeling of your outdoor area while also helping keep that pool safe for you and your family.

But the problem is that some types of pool fencing are hardly ideal for the task. Fences that are too low or not robust enough to prevent unauthorized access may not be safe enough for daily use, especially if you have kids or pets. It’s also true that pricing varies wildly from the bottom of the market to the top — and price may not indicate security or reliability, so it’s important to consider everything before making your final decision.

After all, a permanent fence around that backyard pool is a big decision, and going with a temporary solution is no way to safeguard that pool. In fact, many fences are more decorative than functional, merely indicating that a given pool is off limits but not actually preventing that unauthorized access that could lead to some kind of accident. Even if you don’t have kids of your own, your neighborhood likely does, and if you’re away on vacation and an accident happens, you’ll wish you would have spent more time on those swimming pool fence ideas.

That said, just about every pool fencing idea has some value. The secret is to match your needs with the fence you get so that the fence does not only what you need it to do, but that it also doesn’t disrupt your backyard area with more clutter and things that you don’t want around your pool area. But you’ll have to do something. After birth defects, pool drownings are the number one cause of death for children between the ages of one and four, and it only takes seconds for a child to slip by undetected and into the pool area, even if they were last seen in the home.

Here are some pool fencing ideas to keep in mind as you make your decision.

Wooden Pool Fencing Ideas

Fences have been made from wood for hundreds of years due to their lightweight but rigid structure that acts as a great property boundary and a way to signify to others that a given area is off limits. 

But when you’re working with wood, just about anything is fair game. From DIY fences to commercial options that may feature prefab sections that can be easily installed at home, a wooden pool fence can provide a classic look — but due to its exposure to nearby water from the pool, they’re also prone to splitting, cracking and rotting, which can jeopardize the integrity of the pool fence itself, as well as introduce hazards to nearby swimmers.

Sure, a raw wood fence looks great and rustic, but if there are splinters all over the pool deck and all that splashing and water inevitably causes the wood to rot, you’ll end up with a deteriorating pool fencing idea that is hardly up to par. To prevent chipping and rotting, most people end up treating or painting that wooden fence, but that also means keeping up on maintenance and ensuring that the wooden fence is kept clean and dry before real damage starts to happen.

From lattice fencing to traditional pickets, wood fences run the gamut from quaint and cozy to huge vertical behemoths and everything in between. Unfortunately, they’re not an ideal pool deck fencing idea because the sustained water exposure can lead to damage in short order even with proper maintenance and care.

Glass Pool Fencing Ideas

For a great pool fencing idea that looks good and provides the necessary security that pool deck areas need, today’s glass pool fencing is made from thick sheets of safety glass called balustrades that are much heavier and more durable than traditional glass. Featuring some kind of metal posting structure to provide rigidity and support,  glass pool fencing is ideal when visibility is important.

Unfortunately, glass fencing is also super expensive, running as much as $200 per foot. It’s also a huge maintenance pain as those glass panes attract dust, fingerprints and other grime that will be highly visible through the transparent glass. But if you don’t mind the price and the almost daily need for cleaning and maintenance, a glass fence is one of the most visually striking inground pool fencing ideas because it provides the safety you need while preserving sight lines.

Vinyl Pool Fencing Ideas

Providing a nice alternative to wood fences that need lots of care and attention to prevent the water from rotting and destroying it, vinyl pool fencing ideas are similar to wood in look but without the ongoing maintenance need. Instead of having to keep up with painting, vinyl fencing offers a cheap way to get the security you need without the annoyance of maintenance. 

The best part is that vinyl fencing comes in various colors and designs so that you can meet your exact aesthetic need. However, vinyl fencing won’t fool any close-up scrutiny as vinyl looks like wood from a distance but hardly passes muster up close. But if you’re okay with the look of vinyl, it could be a great pool fencing idea as it should last longer than traditional wood fencing, particularly around a pool area that’s exposed to so much water. 

That said, vinyl fencing is typically a solid barrier with non-existent or small openings that don’t do a great job at letting the wind through. If you live in a windy area, a vinyl fence could be vulnerable to wind damage; the same thing that makes vinyl fencing bad in windy areas is also what makes it bad for visibility, so if sight lines are important you may want to go with another option.

Alternative Pool Fencing Ideas

Alternative pool fencing options are also available, but for various reasons they’re not ideal in most situations. 

There’s bamboo, which is a strong and durable pool fencing option — and they even resist termites. They look great and can provide a unique look for your backyard pool area, especially if you’re going for a tropical theme, and they also can help dial up the privacy around your pool area. However, if you live in a dry area that’s prone to wildfires, you may want to rethink that bamboo option. They combust quickly, which can put your home at greater chance of catching fire in the instance of a local wildfire.

While it won’t win any aesthetic awards, mesh pool fencing is another viable pool fence idea, though it may not leave the same impression of our other options. Primarily used as a stop-gap until you can get permanent fencing up around your pool, mesh fencing is relatively cheap and provides a similar see-through look of glass without the expense. But it’s also one of the less secure options and a sharp object or a knife may be all that’s needed to compromise the security.

The Real Deal – Metal Pool Fencing Options

For many homeowners, the only real fencing option is a metal fence. They’re strong, preserve sightlines and look great, and they’re more affordable than you may think. The three main metal options are iron, steel and aluminum. 

The first option, iron, has been used for centuries as fencing around homes and public places, though it’s immensely heavy and hard to work with. Iron will also corrode outside, so it requires regular maintenance to prevent rust and rotting. Today, wrought iron has been largely replaced by lighter, cheaper and more efficient metals.

Continuing with the strength angle, tubular steel is a relatively lightweight metal option compared to iron, though it’s still not immune to weather, wetness and the damage that comes with it. That’s because just like iron, steel rusts, and you’ll need to spend much of your time applying primers and paints to ensure that your steel fence doesn’t deteriorate over time. It’s also relatively expensive.

Which brings us to our final option: aluminum. Unlike iron and steel, it won’t corrode or rot, making it a great option around the wet areas of a pool deck. Aluminum can also be used to create looks reminiscent of old wrought iron fences, which is always a great option wherever you need a secure and stable fence. Rather than wood or vinyl fencing that blocks off the sight lines, an aluminum fence is secure enough to prevent unauthorized access while still retaining visibility from inside the home and out from the pool area. 

Because it won’t rust, aluminum pool fencing needs virtually no maintenance to protect its integrity, and it also comes in various colors so that you can match your aesthetic need. If you’d like a classic wrought iron look, black paint can’t be beat. But for more desert landscapes or buildings with lighter hues, a white fence can dial up the security while also blending with its surroundings, giving you the utility you need without disrupting your landscaping.

While aluminum fencing may not be the most private option, it does strike the balance between security, maintenance and cost that other options don’t. But inside or outside of that fence you can easily add shrubs or other plants that can give you privacy while the fence provides the protection and security that you need. 

For more on your aluminum pool fencing options, browse our dozens of styles here.

A backyard pool is one of those staples of fun in the sun during the warmer months of the year. But regardless of how often you use your pool, it’s unfortunately a hazard 365 days of the year. After all, it only takes a second for a child or pet to wander into a pool area and inadvertently fall in, leading to an accident or worse. Even if you don’t have children of your own, kids or other people could gain access to your pool if it’s left largely unsecured for much of the year, and that could represent a legal liability that you probably don’t want to deal with.

The good news is that you can avoid it all with a proper fence around your pool. In fact, many states and municipalities have pool fencing requirements that stipulate how backyard and public pools should be secured, and if you have a years-old pool you may be running afoul of the law without even realizing it. In addition to swimming pool fencing requirements, you may also need to post signage in some areas, so it’s important to look into your local municipal and state pool regulations to ensure that your pool area is on the up-and-up.

Note that regulations and pool fencing requirements can change at any time, so if you have any questions its best to reach out to the local authorities to verify if your pool area meets all the required laws. While commercial pools have more stringent requirements that may require adequate signage and warnings around the pool deck, residential pool owners can often satisfy their needs with a pool cover, fence and gate. 

Federal Pool Fencing Requirements

While adequate pool fencing may be the best way to prevent unauthorized access in a pool area, there’s only one real federal pool law. Known as the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act (P&SS Act), the law was named after a 7-year-old that drowned in a hot tub after getting stuck by the suction of the drain. Despite her mother’s best efforts, she was not able to break free, leading to the law that was signed by President Bush in 2007.

But the law goes further than spas. It states that all pool drain covers manufactured after December 2008 must meet the new standard, as well as requiring pools with one main drain to add a suction-limiting vent system, a gravity drainage system, an automatic pump shut-off system or disabling the drain itself.

Other federal laws include accessibility standards for public pools, though residential pools are not subject to these requirements. However, just because there’s not a federal law doesn’t mean that you may not have pool fencing requirements for your above ground or in-ground pool, particularly with regard to height or other safety needs. Even if your state or municipality doesn’t require it, pool fencing is one of the best ways to prevent a pool-related accident, and anyone with a backyard pool should seek to secure it with a fence.

Alabama

Since adopting the 2009 International Building Code, Alabama residents are subject to the pool fencing requirements outlined in Section 3109. Some counties have more restrictive regulations with regard to signage and fencing — including Baldwin, Jefferson and Mobile — so if you live in those counties you’ll have to investigate further.

Alaska

No pool fencing requirements for residential pools.

Arizona

If a pool is located at a residence where a child younger than the age of six lives, Arizona requires that a fence or barrier must surround the pool area. It must be at least five foot tall with no openings other than a door or gate larger than four inches in diameter. It must also not be located next to climbable features and sit at least 20 inches from the edge of the pool. Other pool fencing requirements depend on whether the pool area is entirely enclosed, as well as self-closing and self-latching gates.

Arkansas

Aside from requiring the same self-closing and self-latching gates of many other states, Arkansas requires fencing around all four sides and carries a pool fence height requirement of at least four feet with gaps that are no bigger than four inches. The fence should also not feature more than four inches of space between the ground and the bottom of the fence.

California

According to California Health and Safety Codes, residential pool fencing must be at least five feet tall with no more than two inches of space between the fence and the ground. The gaps in the fencing must not be any larger than four inches in diameter, and the fence itself must not be located near obstacles and surfaces that can be used to climb over the fence. If there are any gates, they need to open away from the pool area, as well as being self-closing and self-latching with the latch at least five feet off the ground to prevent unauthorized access.

Colorado

No statewide pool fencing requirements for residential pools, though the city of Denver requires fencing that is five feet tall without openings more than four inches wide, and the pool must be visible from the exterior of the fence. Self-latching and self-closing gates are also required.

Connecticut

According to the Connecticut State Building Code, pool fence height requirements are at least four feet high with a maximum of two inches of space between the ground and fence. Any horizontal members must be located on the pool side of the fence with a maximum opening of four inches in diameter.

Delaware

No pool fencing requirements for residential pools.

Florida

With the passing of the Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act in 2009, the state’s pool  fencing requirements stipulates that fences must be at least four feet tall without gaps that a young child could fit through, nor be located close enough to surrounding features that can be climbed. They have to be separate from other yard enclosures unless the enclosure also meets the requirements, as well as being at least 20 inches from the water. If gates exist, they must open away from the pool and feature self-closing, self-latching mechanisms that can’t be reached by a young child on the outside of the gate.

Pool Fencing Requirements for Other States

Note that while we’ve covered nine states here, there are 41 other states that potentially have pool fencing requirements and other laws the books governing residential pools. But when in doubt, and for the security and safety of kids in the area, every pool — residential and public — should feature a robust pool fence to prevent unauthorized access. 

For more on meeting your pool fencing requirements with a strong and robust aluminum fence, check out our affordable pool fencing options here.