Iron Pool Fence Vs. Mesh Pool Fence

As a grandma of 9, we went with a mesh fence and loved it! We left it up a good part of the time because it was not as unsightly as iron fencing. However,it was easy to put up when the kids came to visit and easy to take down when they weren't here or we were entertaining. We haven't needed it for a couple of years now, so my husband plugged the holes in the cool deck with slightly raised dowel pieces to prevent tiny stones, dirt etc. from getting in the holes.(which aren't many) When we sell the house, it will go with the house.

P.

I have to say that I like the Mesh fence. I know they have probably changed how they put up iron fencing, but I remember my lil sister getting thru.

My husband is Dan the Pool Man. He says steel is probably more expensive, but also more sturdy and permanent. But be careful when it is being installed that any metal grindings (from cutting or screwing) are thoroughly cleaned up and don't get blown into the pool as they will rust and cause stains on the plaster finish.

Morning N.:
We chose a mesh removal fencing for our pool for several reasons. We wanted the removalable fencing so that we had parties it is an open and pleasant area to view and move around. The mesh fencing also does not have have any handholds which kids could use to work themselves up to the top. The gate on our mesh fencing also requires both hands to open where we found a lot of the iron ones could be opened with one hand or even a pole by children. And lastly, I like it for a clearer view of the pool even when it is up.

My son had an iron fence when he first moved into a house with a pool and had small boys. When they got older, they climbed on chairs and toys and got over it. So then they got a mesh fence, which was taller and looked better. They didn't get over it. And you can completely remove the mesh fence when the pool is "open", like for family parties. I'm sure that it is possible to get over the mesh fence, too, but it worked for them. GOod luck!

We went with a mesh fence. It is a lot cheaper and you can remove it once your kids are older and you no longer need it.

We have a mesh fench and love it!!! While it does not meet city code for Mesa I think it is safer. We went with the 5 foot. I have an escape artist nephew and he climbed my in-laws iron fence because he could get his hands around the bars. He has never climbed ours because he has nothing to grasp. Also remember to never keep anything in the yard they can pulll over to the fence and use as a step stool (toy, chair, play table, dog!)

We had an iron pool fence put up when we moved in. I wa disappointed by the workmanship, as it did not self close because the gate spring was installed incorrectly. They redid the work and then was fine. Also, it started to rust within a year & 1/2. We do have a Magna-lock, a magnetic lock that you have to pull up on, which is very difficult for kids to open, my 10 year old still can't get it. It also has a lock & key in the Magna-lock for extra security. I recommend one of those if you go the iron gate route. Also, check references of the company that you go with.

Hi N., I have had both. My house I lost in a short sale had the iron fence already in when I bought it. It had a pad lock that didn't have a key, it had the combination, same number as our house (1887) so the gardener and pool guy could remember it. Now I live in a rental home and paid $1600 to have the mesh fence put in (the quote for the iron was $3,000). I don't like it as much. I read the prior posts and they all said they like the mesh fence because they can take it down for parties...kids can still drown during a party! Since I'm an insurance agent I have to mention something else...the saftey of having a pool fence isn't just for your own families protection. It's also for your protection as a homeowner in case someone gets on your property when you are not there. I write all my homeowner policies that have a pool with a MILLION for liability. And you have a teen...they have friends...need I say more???!!! So check with your agent, it only costs about $30 more ANNUALLY to go from 300K to 1 mil. As a mom and agent, I know the risks and I will ALWAYS have a pool fence...LOCKED AT ALL TIMES...even when the kids are grown and out of the house. Ideally, iron is my first pick...and kids can push chairs and toys up against mesh fences and get in also! I commend you for protecting not only your own family and friends, but also anyone that will be on your property. Regardless of which you decide to get, it's most important that you are getting one! One more thing...make sure you teach the kids pool rules and NEVER leave them alone in there even for a SECOND! Good luck and enjoy the pool and new home!

I have always loved our iron pool fence. I feel so much more secure. Not having ANY experience with the mesh fence, I can't really give you any pros or cons on it. I just wanted to let you know that having a pool is a huge responsibility on your part. You have to be so diligent-AT ALL TIMES!

We kept a padlock on the gates to our pool at all times!!! My husband had the key on a special key ring, high in the kitchen cupboard. We installed an alarm system in our last house that chimed everytime a door was opened. We had the chimes set to tell us what door was opening. We knew that if we heard that chime, we should run to see who was going out. It got kind of annoying at times, like at gatherings, but it was still helpful to know if someone went outside. We loved it and never regretted paying the monthly fee for it. We felt so much safer! Just a suggestion. You might also consider installing a higher lock on your doors that children can't reach. We installed a temporary one that I unscrewed everytime we went out to play. Just some extra precautions because a pool fence does not offer instant security.

I know that I found my two little climbers on more than one occasion on top of the pool fence and I am not sure what I would have done had they gotten into the pool. Fortunately, I had them in rigorous swim lessons as well, so they know how to swim too, but you can never be too careful.

Hi N.! We have had both an iron pool fence and a mesh pool fence. We currently have the mesh (installed by baby guard) and LOVE it. In my opinion, it is safer than an iron fence because it is either open or closed. You don't have to worry about the gate/latch catching like you do with the iron fence and it takes a lot more for little hands to open the mesh fence than an iron fence (it takes 2 adult hands to open the mesh fence and only 1 for the iron). The other great thing about the mesh fence is that it is completely removable once your children can swim. Also, the mesh fence can withstand up to 2 tons of force, so there is no worry about your kiddos knocking it down and it would be very difficult for your little ones to climb/scale. I think the mesh fence is worth the investment (I will never have an iron pool fence again) and I highly recommend using baby guard. Good luck!

Hello,
I have friends who have the mesh and the companies claim it is just as safe for children, but it concerned me because it is not as high as an iron fence. I use to be a swim instructor/lifeguard and during our training, they make us watch these horrible videos about how people die in swimming pools. I'm sure you have heard stories about how kids make their way into pools and drown. Although the iron gate is not as asthetically pleasing as the mesh, I feel safer having the iron with a lock with a key that my children cannot undue. I also stress many times, not to go into the pool area unless an adult is present.
K.

We went with the mesh pool fence because it is removable. We wanted the option of taking down 1 or more of the sections if we were having a special party where there would not be kids in the back yard, and my husband wanted the ability to remove the sections while he was doing yard work. We went with a dark brown color and it has a self latching mesh swing gate. There is even a key lock for the swing gate. The dark brown color blends in very nicely with the backyard and while it would seem to stick out, it actually makes the fence less noticeable. Our yard is extremely small, but I was surprisingly happy with how the fence looks. My sister has a mesh fence without the swing gate, and it is a big pain in the butt to pull up to open and latch closed. If you use your pool often, go with the self latching gate- worth the money! I think we used the company Baby Guard.

N.,
After reading your post I asked my husband about your question. He has been a firefighter/paramedic for over 22 years here in the valley. He said a mesh fence is a temporary barrier that gives people a false sense of security. He also said that the fire department DOES NOT recommend them as a pool fence and that most cities do not accept them as a pool barrier. He has been on calls where children have gotten over them, because they are too flimsy. If you have a pool you need to have a permanent, non removable barrier with self closing gates that locks to help prevent children from drowning. And you must never prop open a gate to the pool. The phrase "Just a few seconds" came about because fire fighters heard it over and over and over again from adults who left a child to drown. When we put out pool in we didn't have children yet, but we put a fence up because we have children in out neighborhood. Our children took swimming lessons and are good swimmers, but we will not take down the fence-ever! It is not worth the risk, nor will we ever block open the gate for a party. If you are taking down your fence for a party or because you think your children are 'old enough', you are inviting disaster. Please check with your local fire department and city government about what is approved and safest. Your yard may look "nicer" without the iron fence, but what is more important...the look of your yard or your children's safety?

Hi N.,
My husband & I just had a pool fence installed & we went with an iron pool fence because it seemed safter to have because of the children, a mesh fence still seems very risky. The company we used was called Iron Pool Fence ###-###-####, they are located in Tempe, but were able to install our fence in the west valley. Very professional, very quick, & the fence looks fabulous! Good Luck!

N.,
We went with the mesh pool fence since it is removable and our yard is not very big. So once our third one was a swimmer we took it down. We also took it down when we had adult parties with no children. It is very easy to put up and take down. It was nice to have when friends came to visit with younger kids we put it back up. Then we have had the surprise of our life and added another baby to our family. I am so glad we had the removable pool fence because it is now back up!

We put in our pool nine months ago and went with the mesh fence. Its really easy to see through, very sturdy, withstands the weather well, just awesome. Most importantly is super safe, I don't worry at all about the kids with the fence in place. I say in place because it is also removeable, which an iron fence is not. We took down the fence for an adult only get together and its nice to have options. I highly reccomend the mesh fence and can give you the name and number of the guy we uesd if you are intrested.

We had a mesh fence put in. I LOVE IT! You can detach the whole thing by just unclipping it. You have to be strong to do so though. :-) Kids can't do it easily. The lock on the gate, you have to pull UP to unlock it and get it open and the key fits underneath. My son, who is 4, and tall for his age, still cannot reach the knob up on top to pull it open. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS FENCE! We got this fence, about 50 ft of it, for about $1300. Aprox that. We got our fence from LIVE SAVER POOL FENCE by DESERT REFLECTIONS in AZ. You can get a FREE ESTIMATE: email: ____@____.com
Phone number: ###-###-#### or ###-###-####
You will NOT be disappointed!

Many years ago we bought a mesh fence (Baby Barrier). It looks cool because you can see through it and it has held up just fine. The mechanism is not self-locking so you have to do it each time, but then you know for sure that it is closed. You can also have multiple entries put in - many of which we use only occasionally - but it is nice that you can go in and out from different places. Other things that are different: You can take it out and put it back in anytime, although you would have to keep track of which piece goes where. It needs no maintenance - no painting and it doesn't rust. If you live nearby (central Phoenix) you can come and get a look at mine. D.

N., the difference between the two is that the iron fence is more permanent and expensive. I had a mesh one put up at my old house that was great. A firefighter and his wife started the company and they were reasonably priced and did a great job. If you want their information, send me an email and I will find it for you. If your backyard is smaller, I would go with the mesh fence so that one day when your children are older, you can take it down and open your yard up again. Good luck!