Designing and installing a new pool is by no means a cheap endeavour, so it’s important that the final space delivers on both form and function.

If you’re planning a new pool, don’t forget to plan what happens AROUND the pool as well. In Australia, that means you are going to have to investigate installing a pool fence. Not only is pool fencing a safety necessity but done right, it can also add an extra touch of aesthetic appeal to your backyard design. Just like the pool installation itself, there are lots of things that you need to consider when it comes to pool fencing. With that in mind, we’ve put together the five most common poolside planning mistakes and how to avoid them.

 

1. Compromising Quality

Don’t make the mistake of thinking that you can cut corners on the quality of the fencing to lower the cost of the overall project. Having a low-quality fence is only going to cause problems in the long run. Choose a trusted supplier / installer and get them involved from the very beginning of the project. If you are going to the expense of paying for a private swimming pool, then you want to make sure that the entire job is finished to the right standards and the best standards, fencing included. The potential loss you could incur due to poor quality materials or a bad install far outweighs the initial investment in quality products and service.

 

2. Compromising Safety

There’s more than one way to install a pool fence while still meeting legislative requirements. However, if you don’t know what your options are and what to look for, you could end up with a not so pleasing result. From a compliance perspective, it’s important to understand what the pool fence laws are in your state and to seek professional advice to ensure that you don’t install a fence that doesn’t meet the requirements.

 

3. Saving Space

For most people, pool fencing is the last part of the overall job, and you would be amazed by how many homeowners simply forget to accommodate the space for that finishing touch. After you have reserved the space for the pool itself, you need to make sure that you then go even further out with your boundaries to ensure that you have made room for the fencing that is going around it.

4. Choosing the Right Material

The wrong type of pool fence can look like an eyesore so ensure that your fence suits the location and direction of your pool. Glass fencing, for example, is always going to look better when it is in front of a pleasing view instead of something like a brick wall. Glass fencing is generally the most expensive but is popular due to the sleek design and stylish finish it gives to your pool space. Install a pool fence that doesn’t compromise or interrupt the look of your backyard.

5. Overlooking Maintenance

 

Unprotected fencing materials are susceptible to the elements. Overtime, wear and tear will drastically depreciate the look of your pool area. Glass fencing, for instance, is porous and absorbs contaminants, which can result in glass that is etched and discoloured, making a clear fence appear cloudy and hazy. Salt spray and pool chemicals such as chlorine also discolour glass, ruining the aesthetic, and making it costly to clean and maintain. Using a combined glass protection / easy clean coating such as EnduroShield creates a protective barrier that stops contaminants soaking into the glass. Instead, water and contaminants bead up on the protected surface and are easily wiped off. EnduroShield keeps glass cleaner for longer, significantly reducing cleaning time — and not having to clean your pool glass so often saves time, money, and water.

Regardless of what material you use, it’s important to make sure you choose a certified, warranted product by a trusted installer. Whilst it might cost you a bit more up front to ensure that compliance and design both come out on top, the initial outlay is often recouped in the long term.