How Much Does a Pool Fence Cost?
Pool safety fences can provide safety and peace of mind and can also increase your home’s value! Learn more about the costs for pool fences in 2024 in this blog!
Are you thinking about installing a fence around your swimming pool? Pool fences are not only practical - they give homeowners peace of mind by keeping small children or pets safely out of the pool area - they can also bring aesthetic value to your backyard. There is such a wide range of types of pool fences that the average price of a swimming pool fence varies significantly: $3,000 to $10,000. Keep in mind you can get a swimming pool fence installed for as low as $1,000 or you could spend tens of thousands! A chain link fence around your swimming pool would be on the low end of the price scale while tempered glass swimming pool fences are considered a high-end fence. Read through this cost guide for swimming pool fences to learn more!
With the average total cost of swimming pool fences varying so widely, how can you get an accurate estimate for your project? Luckily, Ergeon has a fence calculator that you can use to get a reliable estimate for your custom fence. Our fence calculator lets you customize your fence according to style of fence, fence height, fence material, gate options and more! Once you have designed your fence, Ergeon’s fence calculator builds a high quality 3D model so that you get an accurate vision of what your fence will look like. Finally, the fence calculator will calculate the estimated cost per linear foot of your fence design.
If this is your first time looking up costs of fence installation, you might be surprised to find that cost estimates are given in the price per linear foot as opposed to an overall price estimate. The price per linear foot refers to the cost for how long your fence will be. Giving a cost estimate by linear foot can be more accurate for homeowners because fence lengths can vary so much. The swimming pool fence cost for simply encircling an above-ground pool will be less than the price for the type of pool fence that surrounds a larger inground pool and lounge area. On average, the average cost per linear foot of a pool fence is $15 to $25, including installation and pool fence materials.
The cost of installing a swimming pool fence can vary widely, as we have covered, so let’s go over some of the factors that contribute to those differences so you can better plan your new swimming pool fence!
One of the biggest factors in the cost of your new swimming pool fence is the size, or length in linear feet. So if you have a large pool, or at least a large swimming pool area you want to enclose, the cost will be higher. Another factor is the shape of your pool. Most pools are rectangular in shape, which is perfect for constructing a fence around - straight edges and 90 degree corners. However, if you have a rounded or curved swimming pool shape and you want the fence to follow the shape, it will cost more.
Another significant factor in the cost of a new swimming pool fence is the type of material you choose. On the low end of the cost scale are mesh pool fences and chain link fences. Then in the middle you have the classic wooden, vinyl, wrought iron and plexiglass swimming pool fences. At the high end of the cost scale are tempered glass pool fences. The cost of a tempered glass swimming pool fence is significantly higher than the other materials, and for good reason! It is attractive, six times stronger than regular glass and could even increase the value of your home. The height of each type of fence is also going to have an impact on the total cost.
Usually the price per linear foot estimates you find online includes both the cost of labor and the cost of materials. So, in theory, if you have the skills or have chosen a type of fence that is simple to install, you could potentially DIY the project and save some money by skipping the professional installation. For example, if material costs were $20 to $30 per linear foot, labor costs would bring the price up to $25 to $40 per linear foot. However, sometimes the cost of labor can be up to 50 percent of the total cost. If you are looking to save a little on the overall cost, think about whether a DIY installation is a possibility for you.
While pools are constructed to be level - otherwise you would never be able to fill up your pool with water - the terrain around your pool may not be. If the ground around your pool is uneven it will affect the price of installation because it makes it more difficult to install. While a swimming pool fence on uneven terrain may be more costly, the peace of mind you get from having a safe pool area is priceless!
There are two main categories for fence styles of swimming pool fences: permanent and removable. Removable fences have several benefits. First, removable pool fences are more affordable, provide safety in the pool area, are low maintenance and can be removed when they are not necessary. Permanent fences will cost you a bit more and the price will depend largely on the material you want to use in your fence. For pool safety, if you do not have a fence in place or some other pool barrier, you should have a pool cover that is secured or a pool safety net. However, keep in mind that some municipalities require swimming pools to have swimming pool fences around them.
Most people want a gate in their swimming pool fence rather than just an open space because they are usually building the fence for safety reasons. Many times, the purpose of the fence is to keep small children or pets out of the swimming pool area when it is not in use or no one is around to supervise. Choose a self-closing gate for your pool fence gate as it is the safest option. That way when you leave the pool area, the gate opens outward and swings back to close after you. Make sure it is also self-latching and check your local rules on whether the gate is required to have a lock on it or not.
Things generally cost more in urban areas than smaller cities - and swimming pool fences are no exception. That is because labor, materials as well as demand all play a role in determining the overall cost of your new swimming pool fence installation.
On top of the factors we just discussed here, there are a couple things that can affect the price in a material way.
There is some preparation work that goes into installing a new swimming pool fence and that can affect the cost because it takes more hours of labor to finish. One example is if your fence is going to be built on terrain that needs to be leveled, or if there are other things that need to be done to prepare the ground for construction like removing large rocks. Another example is if the ground is steep, you may need to add steps for the fence to follow. Finally, if you are having a permanent fence installed, then you will need to spend time digging the holes for fence posts and letting the concrete set.
When planning a fence project, thinking about long term maintenance is not usually the first thing that comes to mind. In fact, it is more often the last! Wood fences require staining or painting over the years. Vinyl fences require a good spray down every now and then with a pressure washer or your garden hose, and spot cleaning from time to time. On the other hand, chain link fences, mesh pool fences, or wrought iron fences require hardly any maintenance. Of course, a tempered glass swimming pool fence will require cleaning like any glass windows.
When you decide to have a pool installed on your property, you have a responsibility to ensure that it is done safely. Do neighborhood children ever run through your backyard, or could they? Do you, yourself, have small children or pets? When you install a new swimming pool, you must also make sure that you have made it safe for everyone around. That is why so many homeowners choose to install swimming pool fences - especially ones with fence gates that have locks on them. That way, you have done your part to make sure no one wanders into your pool.
On top of taking personal responsibility for ensuring your swimming pool is set up to be safe, there may be local regulations that require you to install a swimming pool fence. Some even specify that it must have a fence gate complete with a lock. There may also be rules that cover fence heights and fence materials. These regulations and building codes could be municipal laws or they could be rules from your HOA. Make sure you take some time to look into these requirements while planning your fence to avoid problems later.
Another good reason to have a swimming pool fence installed is that it could keep your homeowner’s insurance costs down. In fact, some homeowner’s insurance companies require homeowners to have a swimming pool fence installed if they have a pool on the property. If you do not have a fence put up around your pool, your insurance could exclude the pool from your policy and deny your liability claim if someone gets injured or drowns in your pool.
Pool fence prices for different types of swimming pool fences can vary widely. Let’s go over the costs of some common types of pool fences.
A mesh pool fence is one of the most affordable and versatile options for swimming pool fences. It will cost you between $7 and $10 per linear foot for labor and materials.
Next on the cost scale is the black chain link pool fence. It is coated in black vinyl which gives it a more polished and residential look as opposed to the more industrial feel of a plain, galvanized steel swimming pool fence. It is between $5 and $12 per linear foot.
Do you like the look of tempered glass swimming pool fences but not the cost? Well then, a plexiglass pool fence might be the right choice for you. Although it may weather over time, it is a durable option for a swimming pool fence. This type of fence costs between $20 and $30 per linear foot.
Vinyl is a great, low maintenance option for swimming pool fences. They are also more affordable than other types of materials like wood fences or wrought iron fences. A vinyl swimming pool fence will cost on average $15 to $20 per linear foot.
The cost of a wood swimming pool fence can vary because there are so many different wooden fence styles as well as different heights. The cost of a wood pool fence can range from $3 to $30 per linear foot. Also, keep in mind the long term maintenance costs including painting or staining over the years.
Wrought iron, as well as aluminum pool fences, start to be a bit pricier than the previous options, but metal fences can add value to your home and property. A wrought iron or aluminum swimming pool fence will cost around $20 to $35 per linear foot.
And finally, on the upper end of the price range is the tempered glass pool fence. It is a classy, high end option and increases safety while not impacting the view. The cost of this type of swimming pool fence is significantly higher than the others, however. They cost $100 to $600 per linear foot depending on factors like height, but can also add to your home’s overall value.
Whether or not you pay for professional installation of your new swimming pool fence or attempt it as a DIY project depends on your construction skills as well as the type of fence you want to install. An advantage to building your own fence is that you save money on the overall cost of the new fence by not paying installation costs. In some cases, labor can be up to 50 percent of the total cost depending on the fence company or fence contractors. If you already know how to install the fence you want and have the time, doing it as a DIY project could be a good idea. However, DIY fence installation takes time, tools and sometimes a helper - so make sure the savings in costs are not overshadowed by stress. When you hire a professional, you will pay more for your swimming pool fence installation, but the advantage is peace of mind knowing the fence is properly installed and safe.
There are many fencing options for pool fences. Deciding what the best pool is for you depends on a number of factors - including your personal preferences. However, the overall best pool if your biggest concerns are keeping the cost down and providing a safe pool area, then a mesh pool fence is the best option. On the other hand, if money is no object and you are looking for the best looking, and still very safe, swimming pool fence, a tempered glass pool fence is the answer. Finally, if you are looking for a swimming pool fence that adds privacy then look for something in a wooden fence or a vinyl fence.
The safest pool fence is the one that keeps small children and pets out of the pool area. A mesh pool fence is nearly impossible for small kids to climb, and a tempered glass fence - especially if it is a little taller - is also a very safe swimming pool fence. Wrought iron swimming pool fences are more for looks and will not be very hard for children to climb unless they are very tall.
The lifespan of your new swimming pool fence depends mostly on the type of material you have chosen for it. A tempered glass, mesh pool fence, or wrought iron fence can last a lifetime with proper maintenance. Vinyl fences or wood fences will typically last about 20 to 30 years, with some variation by type of wood or quality of the vinyl. Finally, a chain link fence should be expected to last about 15 years.
Fence Costs
Fence Costs
Fence Costs
