Pool Fencing
Keep your family safe with code-compliant pool fencing that protects children while maintaining your backyard beauty.
Understanding Pool Safety Requirements
Pool fencing is not just a good idea, it is required by Florida law for most residential pools. These requirements exist because drowning is a leading cause of accidental death for young children, and proper barriers dramatically reduce that risk. If you own a pool or are installing one, you need to understand what the law requires and how we can help you meet those standards while creating a fence you will be happy to look at every day.
Florida building codes require barriers around pools that meet specific criteria. The barrier must be at least 4 feet high, though many homeowners choose 5 feet for extra security and peace of mind. The barrier can be your pool fence, your house walls, or a combination, but it must completely surround the pool with no gaps that a child could squeeze through. Any openings in the barrier, like spaces between pickets or under the fence, must be small enough that a 4-inch sphere cannot pass through.
Gates are where many pool fences fail inspection, so we pay special attention to gate hardware. Your pool gate must be self-closing, meaning it automatically swings shut when released. It must also be self-latching with the latch at least 54 inches above the ground, placing it out of reach of young children. The gate should open away from the pool. We install commercial-grade hinges and latches that meet code requirements and function reliably year after year.
Key Pool Fence Code Requirements
- Minimum 4 feet high, measured from ground to top of fence
- Maximum 4-inch spacing between vertical pickets or mesh openings
- No footholds or horizontal elements that make climbing easy
- Self-closing and self-latching gates with latches 54 inches high
- Maximum 2-inch gap between bottom of fence and ground
- Gates must open outward away from pool area
- No direct access to pool from house without additional barriers or alarms
Choosing the Right Pool Fence Material
Not all fencing materials work equally well around pools. You need a fence that resists water, chlorine, salt, and constant sun exposure without deteriorating or requiring constant maintenance. We install three main types of pool fencing in Ocala, each with its own advantages depending on your priorities and budget.
Aluminum Pool Fencing
Aluminum is our most popular pool fence material and for good reason. It never rusts, even with constant exposure to pool water and chemicals. The powder-coated finish resists fading and corrosion, so your fence looks new for decades. Aluminum fencing provides excellent visibility, which means you can watch swimmers from anywhere in your yard or through your windows. This visibility is a major safety advantage because you can supervise pool use without being right at the poolside. Our aluminum fencing comes in various styles from simple pickets to ornamental designs, and the material is strong enough to resist impact while remaining lightweight and elegant.
Vinyl and PVC Pool Fencing
Vinyl pool fencing offers more privacy than aluminum if that is important to you. The solid or semi-solid panels block the view into your pool area, which some homeowners prefer for aesthetic or privacy reasons. Vinyl does not corrode or rust, and it cleans easily with soap and water. The material is also safe to touch with no sharp edges or hot metal surfaces in the sun. However, vinyl provides less visibility for supervision, so you need to weigh that against your privacy preferences. We install high-quality vinyl fencing designed specifically for pool use that meets all safety codes.
Mesh Pool Fencing
Removable mesh fencing is a flexible option that some homeowners use as a secondary barrier or temporary solution. The mesh material is strong enough to prevent access but can be removed when not needed, such as when children are not visiting. Mesh fencing is less expensive than permanent options and works well if you already have other barriers like a screened enclosure. However, it requires more maintenance to keep taut and in good condition, and it does not add to property value the way permanent fencing does.
Professional Installation and Safety Features
Installing a pool fence correctly is critical for both safety and code compliance. We have completed hundreds of pool fence installations in Ocala, and we work closely with local building inspectors to ensure every fence passes inspection the first time. Our experience means we know exactly what inspectors look for and how to avoid common mistakes that delay your project or require expensive corrections.
Before we start any pool fence installation, we measure your pool deck and determine the best fence line location. The fence must be far enough from the pool edge to meet setback requirements but positioned to maximize your usable deck space. We check for any underground utilities or sprinkler lines that might interfere with post placement. Then we lay out the fence line and mark gate locations based on your needs and code requirements.
Post installation for pool fences follows the same concrete-setting process as other fences, but we take extra care because pool decks often have pavers, concrete, or other finished surfaces. We minimize damage to your pool area and repair any necessary surfaces after post installation. The posts must be plumb and properly spaced for the fence panels or mesh to install correctly. We let concrete cure fully before attaching fence sections.
Gate installation deserves special attention because this is where most pool fences have problems. We install premium self-closing hinges that work smoothly every time and do not sag over years of use. The self-latching mechanism is positioned at the correct height and tested repeatedly to ensure it works perfectly. We also install any additional features you want, such as keyed locks, alarmed gates, or secondary latches. After installation, we walk you through operation and maintenance to ensure you understand how everything works. For comprehensive property fencing beyond just your pool, check out our complete fence installation services.