When it comes to putting a fence around a pool, property owners have plenty of options, including glass pool fencing. But is installing a glass pool fence worth the investment?
Whether you are looking to enhance pool safety, add elegance, or privacy, glass pool fencing is an excellent option.
Keep reading to learn more about glass pool fences.
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Reasons Why Glass Pool Fencing May Be a Good Option
Here are the main benefits of glass pool fencing that are sure to impress.
1. Safety for children and pets
Some people often think that things made of glass are likely to shatter or break easily. If that’s what you assume of the glass pool fence, then you are wrong. The fence is typically made of highly toughened glass panels that create a reliable physical barrier, protecting kids and pets when there’s a lapse in adult supervision.
We are talking about tempered glass, which measures 6mm to 18mm in thickness. Such material has been strengthened by heating and exposure to a rapid cooling process. It’s designed to withstand sudden impacts and high wind loads. And even if the glass does break for some reason, expect no dangerous shattering. It will spread out in harmless fragments.
While a glass pool fence is not childproof, it does reduce the risk of drowning. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Protection (CDC), drowning is the major cause of death in children aged 1-14. Studies show that children in the age bracke1-4 face the highest risk.
Unfortunately, many of the deaths occur when children access pools unsupervised. With a glass pool fence at least 4 ft high, it would be difficult for the kids to climb over.
2. Aesthetically pleasing
Glass pool fencing can add a level of sophistication and elegance to your backyard. That’s because this category of pool fences are available in different shapes, colors, designs, and textures that will complement your home’s styling needs.
You can choose from curved glasses, traditional straight panels, etc. And whether you opt for a semi-frameless or frameless design, glass pool fencing will undoubtedly beautify your backyard with a modern contemporary look. It can tremendously increase the value of your property.
3. Adds privacy
If you don’t like neighbors watching you while you swim, a glass pool fence is worth consideration. You can achieve privacy by installing glass fences with creative finishes and decorations, which are part of the glass laminating process. For example, frosted or painted glass panels can improve visual privacy without compromising the aesthetic appeal of your pool.
4. Any size or specification
Glass panels can be custom cut to match the unique design and dimensions of your residential pool. There’s a solution for you regardless of the pool height, length, shape, and more.
5. Low-level maintenance
Installing glass pool fencing comes with cleaning responsibilities. It’s natural to worry about dealing with dirt build-up, water splashes and handprints. Luckily, glass fences are one of the easiest types of pool fencing to clean and maintain. Property owners don’t have to shell out a huge amount of money or spend too much time to keep the glass pool fences in pristine condition.
So what is cleaning glass pool fencing like?
Cleaning the glass panels requires a detergent, warm water, microfiber cloth, sponge, squeegees, and a garden hose. No window or glass cleaning products are needed to get the job done. In fact, glass cleaners tend to leave residue on the pool fence.
When cleaning a glass pool fence, you wet down the glass panels with a garden hose. Then, use a microfiber cloth or sponge to apply warm soapy water over the glass panels. Once you’re done washing your glass panels, give them a thorough rinse with a garden hose.
For a streak-free finish, you will want to use a wide squeegee to remove the remaining water. Consider working top to bottom to avoid drips on areas you have already dried up.
If you notice hard water spots, you can get rid of them with a vinegar cleaning solution. You mix one part vinegar to one part water.
Aside from the glass panels, you also need to clean the rails and posts. Here, you wipe them clean with a soft cloth dampened with warm soapy water. You can use soft fiber brushes on stubborn dirt and grime. For powder-coated rails and posts, experts recommended applying a methyl-base mineral spirit to wash off the unwanted stains.
How often should you clean your glass pool fence?
It depends on where you live. That’s because some environments are exposed to a high level of pollutants and harsh climatic conditions than others.
Generally, though, property owners should clean their glass pool fences at least once every 3-6 months. Pools located in severe environments, such as those in dusty cities or near industrial activity, may need cleaning at least once a month.
Glass Pool Fence Costs
Glass pool fences are hands down the most expensive fencing option. The cost greatly varies depending on the size of the pool and the type of glass pool fence. Expect to pay anywhere between $7,000 and $20,000 for the entire fencing project.
More specifically, homeowners pay $100 to $600 per foot on pool glass materials. Labor costs range from $30 to $80 per hour.
Types of Glass Pool Fences
Once you have made up your mind that you want to install a glass pool fence, you need to decide on the type. There are two popular options:
- Semi-frameless glass pool fencing
- Frameless glass pool fencing
Let’s elaborate.
Semi-frameless glass pool fencing
With this type of fence, the glass panels are attached to powder-coated aluminum or stainless steel posts. The posts are embedded into the ground.
The semi-frameless fences use thinner glass than their counterpart. Even though the glass panels are usually around 8mm or 10mm, they are sufficiently strong to secure the swimming pool perimeter.
Since there are posts between panels, the semi-frameless option may not give you a flawless view of the pool space. But that doesn’t mean it is a less attractive choice at all. It is a great fence type for homeowners looking for a minimalistic approach or a more economical option for fencing a large section.
Frameless glass pool fencing
As the name suggests, a frameless glass fence is installed without a framing system around the panels. The fence is securely held in place using spigots. It offers an elegant and obstruction-free view of the pool and the surrounding area.
However, the frameless type can be up to 30% more expensive than a semi-frameless system.
A frameless design uses glass panels with a thickness of about 12mm and up to18mm, compensating for the lack of posts.
The biggest disadvantage of frameless fences is that people can easily run into them because they are too transparent. But you can avoid this using pool signage or safety stickers.
What to Consider When Buying a Glass Pool Fence
Apart from the type of glass fence, there are several other factors you should keep in mind when choosing a glass pool fence. These include:
· Certified supplier of glass pool fences: Don’t settle for less than a reputable and trusted company. Purchasing glass panels from a certified dealer is one way to ensure you’re getting products that meet pool code requirements.
· Height and width: Currently, we don’t have federal laws dictating the appropriate height and width. Nevertheless, professional codes and recommendations for residential pool height start at 1200mm or 4 ft. The width of frameless glass panels ranges from 1800mm to 1900mm. As for the semi-frameless type, they are usually 1600-1800mm wide. The good news is that a glass fence can be custom-designed to fit your specific project needs.
· Your objective: Are you after increasing visual pool privacy while improving safety? If that’s your goal, a frosted or tinted glass fence might be the answer. Or maybe you prefer to secure the pool with glass panels that make activities visible without obstruction. In this case, frameless glassing fencing would be the best choice to preserve the views.
· Budget: Glass fencing does not come cheap. You need to be prepared with a realistic budget. Evaluate the number and size of the glass panels needed to cover your pool area. Also, factor in the cost of pool gates and installation. If you want a more accurate cost estimate, request free, no-obligation quotes from different glass fencing companies.
· Self-locking and alarming: Consider installing glass pool gates with self-closing hinges and lockable latches. For an extra layer of protection, ensure it features a self-alarming system. That way, the alarm will go off whenever the gate gets opened.
In Summary;
Glass pool fencing is the most expensive option, but an increasing number of homeowners are gravitating toward it. A glass fence is highly durable and impact resistant. It offers an unobstructed view of your pool and the surrounding area better than the traditional iron, mesh, and wood pool fences. The fence is climb resistant, making it safe for kids and pets. Lastly, it compliments your property aesthetic.
