Avoid These Materials and Styles When Choosing Pool Fencing

Secure pool fencing is very important for any home, as this will keep the pool area secure against unsupervised toddlers and pets and keep out unwelcome visitors who might be tempted to use your pool when you're away. Most cities have legal requirements as to pool fencing when it comes to height and other factors but may still allow you to choose from a variety of styles and materials; however, there are a few designs of fencing you might want to avoid for around a pool in particular. Note a few of those here so you're sure to get the best pool fencing for your home.

Wood

Wood fences need to be consistently sealed against moisture even when you don't have a pool, but being exposed to pool water and chemicals can make wood even more prone to damage. Moisture can cause wood to expand and then shrink, making the slats of a wood fence eventually bow and curve. This moisture can also allow mould and mildew to grow on the fence, and this can be difficult and expensive to clean. Pool chemicals can eat away at wood so that it chips, cracks, and splits. Because of all these weaknesses, you might avoid having a wood fence around your home's pool.

Metal

Metal fences often need to be coated just like wood, so they don't rust and corrode when exposed to moisture; the only exception is aluminium, which typically doesn't rust. Pool chemicals can also discolour and otherwise damage metal fences, as well as the powder coating or colouring put over them. If you opt for metal bars, you may also need to ensure that they are spaced a certain distance apart to meet legal requirements for fences around pool areas. This may affect the cost of the fence or its overall appearance.

Chain link

A chain link fence may not be the best choice for keeping out unwanted guests, as it provides a nice toehold for someone to climb. As with metal bars, you may also face certain legal requirements for the size of the mesh of a chain link fence so that dogs and children don't get their heads or limbs stuck in the mesh. This, too, could affect your budget and the appearance of the chain link. Also, as noted above, a metal chain link fence may be prone to rust and corrosion when exposed to pool chemicals; if you must have chain link, at least opt for something vinyl covered to protect the metal from this damage.