In Miami Florida, one little boy, Jonathan Feliciano, died three months ago, after going through a door to a patio where a daycare pool was located. The door had holes large enough for the child to get through, and he was in the water for 20 minutes before anyone noticed he was missing.
If you have a pool or pond area, it’s important that you keep it safe for any children in the area. If you do not adequately fence your pool, you can be held liable for injuries that occur there as a result. The laws vary from state to state, and there is currently no federal pool fence law. However, the majority of states have agreed to International Code Council rules standards that pools should have fences where:
- The height is at least least four feet tall
- The spaces between pickets should be four inches or smaller
- The space between the bottom rail and the ground must be smaller than two inches
- There should be a self-closing, self-latching gate that is at least 54 inches off the ground
Are you trying to plan out your pool fence? There are many options available to you. Here are a few common questions people have.
How Much Does Pool Fence Installation Cost?
The average cost to install a swimming pool fence is about $1,100, or about $20 per foot of fencing required. Most fencing goes well beyond the perimeter of just the pool itself to allow for leisure space.
What Sort of Outdoor Fences Work for a Pool Area?
So long as they fit the required specifications by law, there is no “right” type of pool fence. Some families prefer the privacy of a wooden fence, while others opt for wrought iron fences that add unique design elements to the landscape without cutting off the view of the yard. The types of fences you can get include:
- Wood fencing — more high maintenance
- Vinyl fencing — easy upkeep, can grow algae
- Chain link — very durable, not always aesthetically pleasing
- Wrought iron — anti-rust, long lasting, good compliment to garden spaces
- Mesh fencing can be used for families who live in states that don’t require fencing — it is removable so that you can get rid of it after your children are older.
Other Things to Consider for Fence Installation
- Look for pool privacy fences that are difficult or impossible for children to climb up and over
- Look for durability — a thin, temporary fence could fall over if leaned on enough
- Some areas use mesh pool fencing — since this material can shift throughout the year, it will need periodic checkups
Are you looking up your options for fence installation? Let us know in the comments. More research here.