Home and Business Security Fences: Buying, Maintaining and Improving

Wood Vs. Glass Pool Fences

17 June 2015 by Rosa Soler

The last thing you need to do after installing your in-ground pool is to erect a fence. A fence provides protection if you have young kids or pets, but it is also required by law. If you're trying to decide between a wood or a glass pool fence, budget and aesthetics may be the ultimate factors. Here's a breakdown of both types of fences to help you make the right choice.

WOOD FENCE

Pros

• Wood pool fences are a classic choice because of their natural, rustic appearance that can enhance the visual appeal of your backyard.
• You have multiple options when you select a wood pool fence, from affordable plywood to higher end choices such as oak, mahogany, teak, maple and birch.
• You can stain wood pool fences to resemble other types of material such as natural stone.

Cons

• Wood pool fences absorb moisture, which can expand the wood and cause early yellowing and cracking.
• Wood pool fences require vigilant maintenance because you have to inspect the wood for rot, cracks and especially termites and wood worms, which can eat through your fence within a few years.
• The solid nature of a wood pool fence prevents you from seeing the pool when you're lying down on a chair.

GLASS FENCE

Pros

• Glass pool fences are available frameless and semi-frameless, which are aesthetically pleasing because they lack many of the framing structures such as tracks and that obstruct one's view. Frameless glass pool fences are drilled directly into the ground without any posts. Semi-frameless glass pool fences feature posts, but no tracks or rollers.
• Glass pool fences create an illusion of more space in your backyard, because there is nothing solid to obstruct the eye. If you want to make your backyard appear larger than it is, a glass fence is the choice.
• Because it's transparent, a glass fence lets you see what's happening at all times in your pool, which enhances safety, especially in houses with small children.
• Maintenance is easy, and only requires you to use a squeegee or microfiber cloth with water to clean the glass.

Cons

• Glass pool fences are expensive to install, and you'll pay even more you choose the frameless style.
• It's costly to replace the glass on a glass fence that suffers damage, because the glass is double or triple paned tempered glass that is more expensive than standard single-paned glass used for windows.

Visit resources like http://www.amazingfencing.com.au to get a second opinion on your options before making your choice.

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