Frameless glass pool fencing is modern and practical – but you should consider these factors before you commit to an installation at your home.
What Is Frameless Glass Pool Fencing?
As the name suggests, frameless glass pool fencing is a style of protective pool fence that is installed with the use of ground mounted spigots opposed to frames or posts. Glass fence panels are low maintenance, durable and relatively easy to install. Frameless fencing is a visually appealing option for homeowners who are bound by law to secure their domestic swimming pools. Frameless glass fencing complies with safety regulations in Western Australia but doesn’t impede the view of your pool area.
Benefits of Frameless Glass Pool Fencing
There are a range of benefits for any homeowner who chooses to install a frameless glass pool fence at their property.
Aesthetics
The most pronounced benefit of frameless glass pool fencing is the visual appeal that it adds to any pool area. Due to the transparency of the fixture, the fencing seamlessly blends into outdoor areas within your home.
Safety
Not only does your frameless glass fence look brilliant, but it provides your swimming pool with a much-needed safety barrier – aiding in the protection of children and family pets. The transparency of glass fencing also helps in giving you peace of mind that you can see into the pool area when people are swimming, adding another level of protection.
Low Maintenance
In comparison to wooden or metal fences, glass fencing is far easier to clean and maintain. Metal fences are prone to corrosion and rust, while wood can be eaten away by termites or rot naturally.
By installing frameless glass pool fencing, you won’t need to worry about applying anti-rust solutions or regularly repainting the fixture. With a simple wipe down every once in a while, you can keep your pool fence looking tidy and brand new.
Durability
Another benefit of frameless glass pool fencing is its durability. When compared with wood and metal, both of which are susceptible to to deterioration, the lifespan of glass fencing is far longer. Due to the fence panels being made from tempered safety glass, they are also scratch resistant and can withstand impacts without fear of shattering.
Factors To Consider Before Installing Frameless Glass Pool Fencing
There are numerous factors that should be considered before a decision is made to install a frameless glass pool fence in your home.
Budget
Although glass pool fencing is the most popular and debatably the best-looking type of pool fencing, it does come at an elevated cost. Generally, glass fencing is more expensive when compared to aluminium or wooden fencing, so being financially prepared is crucial. The cost will also hinge on the size of your pool area, how many panels are required, how many gates are needed and the desired height of the fence.
Quality Of Glass
The quality of the glass is critical to both the safety and the functionality of the pool fence. Your pool fence panels should always be purchased through a certified supplier such as Clear Choice Pool Fencing. The toughened safety glass used for pool fencing is generally at least 12mm thick, dependant on style, meaning it is extremely tough to break. Should a glass pool fence happen to break, the glass will not shatter, instead breaking into small cubes with fine sharp edges aiding in the overall safety should this occur.
Style Of Fence
The style of glass fence should also be considered before an installation project is undertaken. Some homeowners prefer completely transparent glass panels, which allows for more natural light and creates an openness to the outdoor area. Other people will prefer opaque or frosted panels affording a greater level of privacy to the pool area.
Additional considerations regarding the style of fence include the size of the fence panels, the amount of gates required and the type of hardware preferred. All hardware should be manufactured from high-grade, corrosion resistant materials.
Safety
The safety of your pool fence application is crucial to consider before choosing to install one in your home. All glass sourced for the use in your pool fence installation must pass all required Australian safety standards.
Height & Width of Fence
The standard height of pool fences is generally 1200mm high, however width of panels varies by design. Most frameless glass pool fence applications utilise panels between 850mm – 2000mm wide. Regardless of the style of fence you choose, it must be at least 1200mm high to ensure compliance with safety standards. It is also a good idea to check regulations and guidelines of your council, making sure your fence is compliant with local by-laws.
Gates
When planning out your pool fence, you must ensure that the gate is designed to open away from the pool. The gate should also close and latch on its own when let go from any open position. This ensures kids are unable to simply push the gate open when they want to. Ideally, young children should not be able to reach the gate latch. The gate should also be designed in such a way that it is possible to fix a key lock, for when the children get old enough to figure out how to operate the latch.
Regulations
Australia’s pool fencing regulations are quite strict and for good reason. Despite water safety being a large part of the Australian lifestyle, hundreds of drownings still occur annually. Sadly, a large portion of these drownings are children. Regardless of the style of pool fence that you decide to install at your home, you should always ensure that it is compliant with the Australian safety laws and regulations. At the time of writing, the national standard for pool fencing is AS1926.1 (2012). You can read about the regulations in more detail here.
Other Considerations
Measuring The Site
Measuring your site is a crucial step in the installation process. Here are a few tips for measuring your site.
- Recommended distance from the edge of the pool is at least 1300mm. For fences closer than 1300mm – “earthing” must be considered.
- Check for underground cables and pipes when core drilling
- For the best-looking finish, aim to use as many of the same sized panels as possible
- Use a steel tape measure to ensure correct measurements are taken
- If fixing your fence to pavers, a concrete footing must be formed underneath, and the pavers re-cemented to the footing.
Tools Required
Some basic tools will be required in order to complete the frameless glass fence installation.
- Steel tape measure
- String or chalk line
- Core driller (for core drill applications)
- Hammer drill (for base plate applications)
- Spirit level
- Allen keys
- Mats or blankets to rest glass panels on
Safe Glass Handling
Handling glass should be done with extreme care and caution. Here are some recommended guidelines to follow:
- Ensure there is sufficient space to manoeuvre the glass
- Check the weight of the panels prior to lifting – if it’s too heavy, call for assistance
- Use a safe lifting posture
- Glass should be kept upright and movement smooth when lifting, to avoid flexing
- PPE equipment should be used including; non-slip gloves, steel cap boots, safety glasses, suction cups for large glass panels & tight-fitting clothing to prevent catches and snags.
How Can Clear Choice Pool Fencing Help Me?
Clear Choice Pool Fencing is a trusted and reputable name in the industry having supplied thousands of WA homes with high quality pool fencing for over 20 years. With a focus on stylish, safe and architecturally designed outdoor living spaces, CCPF offer fencing solutions of only the highest quality, with the highest standards.
We offer delivery within 80km of the Perth metro area, offer pickup from our Wangara warehouse and can flat pack products in crates for longer journeys to anywhere in WA. Our products are manufactured to the highest Australian quality standards, so you can rest assured we are providing you with products that are stable, durable and reliable.
Contact Clear Choice Pool Fencing today to transform your backyard and pool area!