Pool Fences | Project Tips for Success from iFence
A new swimming pool should be a very exciting time for your family. Many wonderful memories are made in these private backyard resorts. When planned correctly, a swimming oasis will give you years of enjoyment. And know this, a correct plan will include a quality Integrity™ fence. Don't make the mistake of having your fence be a last minute add-on. The fence that surrounds your pool will set the tone to anyone entering the resort area. Like the windows of a beautiful new house, the fence is going to be there for a very long time, so you actually save money by getting it right from the start! We strongly advise including one of our fences in the budget from the beginning. On this page, we offer a brief overview of what to expect during the construction phase. Some helpful tips are also presented to spark your creativity, but we don't go into the fine details and planning of the landscaping and pool construction itself. That we leave to you and the professionals who share with us the privilege of serving you.
Groundbreaking to Breathtaking!
view pictorial anatomy of a pool project >>
Helpful Ideas for Success!
a great view is not an accident >>
where to place the fence >>
safety codes about placement >>
walkways and gates >>
remember the landing >>
rounded configurations >>
when pillars come into play >>
dealing with retaining walls >>
projects with brick pavers >>
about underground lines >>
view pictorial anatomy of a pool project >>
Helpful Ideas for Success!
a great view is not an accident >>
where to place the fence >>
safety codes about placement >>
walkways and gates >>
remember the landing >>
rounded configurations >>
when pillars come into play >>
dealing with retaining walls >>
projects with brick pavers >>
about underground lines >>
Unobstructed View
The best attribute of Integrity™ aluminum fences is that your view is not obstructed by the fence. This means you can easily keep an eye on the pool area. Beyond your pool there may be a beautiful lake, a wooded area, or just wild flowers. Integrity™ aluminum fences let you continue to enjoy your surroundings with minimal obstruction, especially when ordered in bronze or black. When privacy is important, we recommend landscaping with natural foliage as a barrier on either side of your Integrity™ fence. Most local codes do not permit privacy fences taller than 6', which means you'll be boxed in while others from a distance may still be able to look in. Take a look at our extensive photo gallery and then ask yourself, ''How could a big tall plastic wall be this attractive?''
The best attribute of Integrity™ aluminum fences is that your view is not obstructed by the fence. This means you can easily keep an eye on the pool area. Beyond your pool there may be a beautiful lake, a wooded area, or just wild flowers. Integrity™ aluminum fences let you continue to enjoy your surroundings with minimal obstruction, especially when ordered in bronze or black. When privacy is important, we recommend landscaping with natural foliage as a barrier on either side of your Integrity™ fence. Most local codes do not permit privacy fences taller than 6', which means you'll be boxed in while others from a distance may still be able to look in. Take a look at our extensive photo gallery and then ask yourself, ''How could a big tall plastic wall be this attractive?''
Where to Place the Fence
Once you know that a beautiful Integrity™ aluminum fence is the way to go, you have some decisions to make. Do you want to fence in your entire yard, or just the pool area? Your budget will affect how you want to decorate with one of our legendary pool fences. If you decide to fence in the pool area alone, the next choice will be if the fence will ''hug'' the concrete, or if you will for some ''breathing room.'' Either option is very attractive. Your plantings may be on the outside of a fence ''hugging'' the concrete, enclosed by the fence, or both! We are more than happy to help you plan, making you aware of the many options. A common question that we are asked is if it's a good idea to install the fence right on the concrete pool deck. In short, no. We address this issue and many others in our FAQ link with a frankness our customers appreciate. You are always in the driver's seat, but we'll do our part to provide you with the information you need.
Once you know that a beautiful Integrity™ aluminum fence is the way to go, you have some decisions to make. Do you want to fence in your entire yard, or just the pool area? Your budget will affect how you want to decorate with one of our legendary pool fences. If you decide to fence in the pool area alone, the next choice will be if the fence will ''hug'' the concrete, or if you will for some ''breathing room.'' Either option is very attractive. Your plantings may be on the outside of a fence ''hugging'' the concrete, enclosed by the fence, or both! We are more than happy to help you plan, making you aware of the many options. A common question that we are asked is if it's a good idea to install the fence right on the concrete pool deck. In short, no. We address this issue and many others in our FAQ link with a frankness our customers appreciate. You are always in the driver's seat, but we'll do our part to provide you with the information you need.
Keep Fence Clear of Objects or Grade Inclines
Always remember that when a pool is involved, fences are subject to more restrictions for the safety of children. Please take the time to review our pool safety link. Integrity Aluminum Products™ places a high priority on safety and we want you to be aware of potential hazards for children. For instance, keeping fences a safe distance away from objects outside the pool area such as air conditioner units is addressed by the BOCA pool safety code and is almost universally enforced by inspectors. This is a good idea for the protection of children. When retaining walls are involved and it is not possible to maintain adequate clearance from the incline, consider installing your fence on the high ground! All of our Resort Collection™ pool fences comply with the rigid safety standards of BOCA!*
Always remember that when a pool is involved, fences are subject to more restrictions for the safety of children. Please take the time to review our pool safety link. Integrity Aluminum Products™ places a high priority on safety and we want you to be aware of potential hazards for children. For instance, keeping fences a safe distance away from objects outside the pool area such as air conditioner units is addressed by the BOCA pool safety code and is almost universally enforced by inspectors. This is a good idea for the protection of children. When retaining walls are involved and it is not possible to maintain adequate clearance from the incline, consider installing your fence on the high ground! All of our Resort Collection™ pool fences comply with the rigid safety standards of BOCA!*
How Wide Should A Walkway Be?
When planning your walkway, keep in mind that the gate needs to be wide enough so that you are able to install the gate posts on each side of the concrete, therefore, we recommend leaving yourself a little extra space. For instance, if you are going to have a 48' wide gate, an ideal limit for the width of your walkway is 45''. Pavers can be more forgiving, but it's still better to plan ahead, as shown. Usually, the fence is ordered in advance of the installation of the concrete, so you'll want to go over this point with the concrete installers. Don't assume anything! Talking about these details with your concrete professional will ensure the success of your project! One last thing, when hugging the concrete with your fence, there is a key point to remember. Where the walkway meets the pool deck it is common for the concrete's corner transition to curve rather than remain 90 degrees. This means that your 45'' walkway is going to flare out just where you intend to put your gate posts! This issue is resolved in one of two ways, by narrowing the walkway or, by widening the gate. Advise your contractor of your decision! Of course, at times attaching posts to concrete will be necessary. Our FAQ link addresses these circumstances and the best way to plan for success!
When planning your walkway, keep in mind that the gate needs to be wide enough so that you are able to install the gate posts on each side of the concrete, therefore, we recommend leaving yourself a little extra space. For instance, if you are going to have a 48' wide gate, an ideal limit for the width of your walkway is 45''. Pavers can be more forgiving, but it's still better to plan ahead, as shown. Usually, the fence is ordered in advance of the installation of the concrete, so you'll want to go over this point with the concrete installers. Don't assume anything! Talking about these details with your concrete professional will ensure the success of your project! One last thing, when hugging the concrete with your fence, there is a key point to remember. Where the walkway meets the pool deck it is common for the concrete's corner transition to curve rather than remain 90 degrees. This means that your 45'' walkway is going to flare out just where you intend to put your gate posts! This issue is resolved in one of two ways, by narrowing the walkway or, by widening the gate. Advise your contractor of your decision! Of course, at times attaching posts to concrete will be necessary. Our FAQ link addresses these circumstances and the best way to plan for success!
Remember the Landing!
Remember that gates for pool fences must swing out from the enclosed area in order for your fence to be BOCA compliant.* If there are steps leading up to your gate, there must be an adequate landing. A person must have plenty of room to maneuver when opening the gate. This issue, if not addressed early enough, may result in a costly reworking of landscaping, including retaining walls. Or, as pictured here, a reluctant angling inward with some concrete coring in order to create a landing space. Though not as initially conceived, the large pool patio area meant the sacrifice was minimal. The homeowner was able to avoid serious aesthetic compromise.
Remember that gates for pool fences must swing out from the enclosed area in order for your fence to be BOCA compliant.* If there are steps leading up to your gate, there must be an adequate landing. A person must have plenty of room to maneuver when opening the gate. This issue, if not addressed early enough, may result in a costly reworking of landscaping, including retaining walls. Or, as pictured here, a reluctant angling inward with some concrete coring in order to create a landing space. Though not as initially conceived, the large pool patio area meant the sacrifice was minimal. The homeowner was able to avoid serious aesthetic compromise.
Consider a Rounded Configuration
Curved concrete patios can be gorgeous! And Integrity™ aluminum fences will flow with these curves quite well! You do not have to lock yourself into a rectangular pattern. As Integrity™ fence panels are being installed, they can be shifted directionally. While the panels themselves are not rounded or bent, the cumulative effect of this slight adjustment at each post creates a rounded effect. The curve appeal shown here is very effective, don't you think?
Curved concrete patios can be gorgeous! And Integrity™ aluminum fences will flow with these curves quite well! You do not have to lock yourself into a rectangular pattern. As Integrity™ fence panels are being installed, they can be shifted directionally. While the panels themselves are not rounded or bent, the cumulative effect of this slight adjustment at each post creates a rounded effect. The curve appeal shown here is very effective, don't you think?
When Attaching to Pillars
Pillars are a lovely way to achieve a stately look, and they work well with Integrity™ aluminum fences. There are two ways to terminate a fence run up against a pillar. First, an end post can be installed butted up to the pillar, as shown. If this is the look that you're seeking, be sure the foundation of the pillar does not protrude beyond the outer plane of the pillar. Otherwise, you will not be able to install the post close enough to the pillar. You may have to cut the post to just below grade, and then attach it directly to the pillar. Or, if you prefer, you can eliminate the post altogether and use rail mounting brackets, as shown. Regardless of your chosen method, we recommend that the height of the pillar always be approximately 6 inches higher than your fence, not including the capstone. Why? Integrity™ cuts no corners. All fence panels are actually the height we say they are, not an approximate!
Pillars are a lovely way to achieve a stately look, and they work well with Integrity™ aluminum fences. There are two ways to terminate a fence run up against a pillar. First, an end post can be installed butted up to the pillar, as shown. If this is the look that you're seeking, be sure the foundation of the pillar does not protrude beyond the outer plane of the pillar. Otherwise, you will not be able to install the post close enough to the pillar. You may have to cut the post to just below grade, and then attach it directly to the pillar. Or, if you prefer, you can eliminate the post altogether and use rail mounting brackets, as shown. Regardless of your chosen method, we recommend that the height of the pillar always be approximately 6 inches higher than your fence, not including the capstone. Why? Integrity™ cuts no corners. All fence panels are actually the height we say they are, not an approximate!
How Tall Should A Pillar Be?
What should be your pillar height for a 54'' fence, as an example? First, your fence will likely be installed two inches off grade. We just inched up to 56'' (from grade to the top of the fence panel). But we're not done with the math yet! The top of the post is always one inch higher than the top of the panel, and the standard post cap adds another 3/4''. Now, we are at nearly 58'' off grade. In this scenario we recommend a 60'' to 62'' pillar height not including the capstone, taller still if you intend to use ball caps! Of course, if you are using rail mounting brackets and a post is not being butted up to the pillar, you may have some wiggle room. But remember, if your pillar is too short as shown, aesthetics have been compromised in two ways. First, a pillar shorter than the fence has the look and feel of a mistake. Second, the fence cannot be butted up to the pillar without making unsightly cuts into the capstone which is generally extended beyond the planes of the pillar!
What should be your pillar height for a 54'' fence, as an example? First, your fence will likely be installed two inches off grade. We just inched up to 56'' (from grade to the top of the fence panel). But we're not done with the math yet! The top of the post is always one inch higher than the top of the panel, and the standard post cap adds another 3/4''. Now, we are at nearly 58'' off grade. In this scenario we recommend a 60'' to 62'' pillar height not including the capstone, taller still if you intend to use ball caps! Of course, if you are using rail mounting brackets and a post is not being butted up to the pillar, you may have some wiggle room. But remember, if your pillar is too short as shown, aesthetics have been compromised in two ways. First, a pillar shorter than the fence has the look and feel of a mistake. Second, the fence cannot be butted up to the pillar without making unsightly cuts into the capstone which is generally extended beyond the planes of the pillar!
What About Retaining Walls?
Retaining walls are often necessary due to unavoidable sudden changes in grade. When planned correctly, these conditions will add to the landscape's beauty. Where the Integrity™ fence will be installed is where we can offer advice. First, when possible, try to install the fence on the high ground. If this is not possible, the BOCA pool safety standard requires a safe distance from the higher grade, as discussed above. But here we are discussing a fence that is parallel, or at least next to the retaining wall. Occasionally, it is necessary to ''hop over'' a retaining wall, as shown. In this case, you'll end up using Max-Rack™ panels and possibly custom protruding pickets, as shown. If the retaining wall is more of a wall, as in suddenly stepping the grade up, this usually requires a taller panel installed adjacent to the change in grade to ensure a barrier that is BOCA pool code compliant*, also as shown. Either way, we will advise a cost-effective custom solution.
Retaining walls are often necessary due to unavoidable sudden changes in grade. When planned correctly, these conditions will add to the landscape's beauty. Where the Integrity™ fence will be installed is where we can offer advice. First, when possible, try to install the fence on the high ground. If this is not possible, the BOCA pool safety standard requires a safe distance from the higher grade, as discussed above. But here we are discussing a fence that is parallel, or at least next to the retaining wall. Occasionally, it is necessary to ''hop over'' a retaining wall, as shown. In this case, you'll end up using Max-Rack™ panels and possibly custom protruding pickets, as shown. If the retaining wall is more of a wall, as in suddenly stepping the grade up, this usually requires a taller panel installed adjacent to the change in grade to ensure a barrier that is BOCA pool code compliant*, also as shown. Either way, we will advise a cost-effective custom solution.
When Pavers Are Involved
Pavers are used to expand or accent a concrete pool patio. If you keep them away from the fence, there are no serious issues. Even when fencing is installed through an area to be paved, as shown, pavers are much more forgiving than concrete. In other words, even after they have been installed, a few can be extracted so that a fence post can be installed. Afterwards, with a little cutting, they can be reinserted. As always, plan ahead so that the fence is installed before the pavers go in. One last note, if the walkway is to be a paver walkway, remember to account for the paver edging when determining the size of your gate opening. You will want to install your gate without disturbing the edging structure or you will end up with shifting pavers down the road!
Pavers are used to expand or accent a concrete pool patio. If you keep them away from the fence, there are no serious issues. Even when fencing is installed through an area to be paved, as shown, pavers are much more forgiving than concrete. In other words, even after they have been installed, a few can be extracted so that a fence post can be installed. Afterwards, with a little cutting, they can be reinserted. As always, plan ahead so that the fence is installed before the pavers go in. One last note, if the walkway is to be a paver walkway, remember to account for the paver edging when determining the size of your gate opening. You will want to install your gate without disturbing the edging structure or you will end up with shifting pavers down the road!
Keeping Track of Underground Lines
During the construction phase, keep close tabs on all the new underground pool lines. Try to use reference points that are more permanent such as ''exactly 59'' from the northwest corner of the pool house...'' Utility companies can't or won't help you with this. Make yourself a handy reference schematic and file it with other important papers. You may also want to take some photos. It's so easy to lose track of these measurements when the time comes to install the fence. You'll be glad you took the time to preserve them! If possible, you may even want to keep some underground lines partially exposed until the fence is installed. Before taking that step, however, consult with your pool professional.
During the construction phase, keep close tabs on all the new underground pool lines. Try to use reference points that are more permanent such as ''exactly 59'' from the northwest corner of the pool house...'' Utility companies can't or won't help you with this. Make yourself a handy reference schematic and file it with other important papers. You may also want to take some photos. It's so easy to lose track of these measurements when the time comes to install the fence. You'll be glad you took the time to preserve them! If possible, you may even want to keep some underground lines partially exposed until the fence is installed. Before taking that step, however, consult with your pool professional.
* Before ordering Integrity™ aluminum fencing, we urge you to check with your local governing authority regarding pool fence legal codes. These codes often vary from one community to another. If a permit is required, we recommend you obtain the permit before ordering your Integrity™ fence. We will provide the specifications you need to determine compliance. Although iFenceUSA™ would love to be current on local codes for your convenience, there are simply too many. Therefore, we will not be accountable for orders that are subsequently deemed noncompliant.
