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Mesh or Steel: Which Pool Gate Is Right For You?

When you live in Phoenix, AZ, you know it gets hot for at least 6 months of the year. That’s why having your own backyard pool to ensure you and your family stay cool when the temperature rises into the triple digits is ideal. But how do you keep your children safe from drowning or your friends’ and neighbors’ kids from falling in? Here in Arizona, if you have any children under the age of 6, you’re required to have a pool barrier that meets very specific requirements such as a pool fence or pool cover.

Furthermore, each county and individual city may have additional regulations surround pool barriers. In fact if your pool was installed after 1990, whether or not children under 6 reside in the home, Maricopa County requires you have a pool fence with a self-latching gate around any contained bodies of water, including swimming pools that have a depth of 18 inches or more and/or a width of 8 feet or more. The City of Phoenix also has its own pool barrier ordinance requiring a fence and self-latching gate as do many other towns and cities in the area.

With many cities, including Phoenix requiring you keep children in your home and neighborhood safe by installing a pool fence, it still can be confusing on which type to choose. Some people recommend a permanent steel fence and others recommend a temporary mesh pool fence. Below you’ll find a brief description of each type as well as the pros and cons of both mesh and steel fencing so you can make your own informed decision.

Mesh Pool Gates & Fencing

Mesh pool fencing is a temporary option for ensuring there’s a safety barrier around your swimming pool. It still requires holes to be drilled into the ground or pool deck, but the entire fence can be removed whenever you want.

Pros

Some people like the flexibility that a mesh pool gate and fence provide. Mesh pool enclosures can be removed. For example, if you’re having an adults-only party, you might want to remove the pool fence to allow unfettered access and an unobstructed view of your pool. Mesh pool fencing also tends to be less expensive than other types of pool fencing.

Cons

Some cities don’t list mesh enclosures as an approved pool barrier. Furthermore, because you can easily remove your mesh fence whenever you want, how can you guarantee a savvy child can’t also gain entrance into your pool and drown? Furthermore, just because you might be having an adults only party, does not mean that you or your children or neighborhood children still can’t accidentally fall into your pool unnoticed.

Steel Pool Gates & Fencing

A steel pool gate and pool fence is a sturdier and permanent option to keep your pool safe. You can’t remove it during a gathering where no children will be present, but like a mesh fence, steel pool fencing can be built to fit in with the colors of your home and yard.

Pros

Studies show that a steel or wrought-iron pool fence is the safest option. It’s permanent and therefore will keep your pool safe 24 hours a day. Plus contrary what many mesh pool fence manufacturers might tell you, steel pool fences and gates with elaborate designs that would allow a child to climb the fence are prohibited by law. In addition, steel fencing is powder coated, not painted, which means it actually isn’t prone to rust.

Cons

Some people prefer the look of mesh and the fact that it can be removed. If that’s you, you might not like that a steel fence can’t be removed easily. Steel pool fences are also a little more expensive than mesh pool fencing. Cheaper steel gates and fencing that are painted rather than powder coated can rust as well.

Conclusion

Whether you like pool enclosures or not, there’s no escaping them. State, county and city laws and ordinances require you to install a safety barrier in the form of a fence or wall around your pool. You do have a little flexibility in the type of fencing you choose. However, depending on the city you live in, steel or wrought-iron pool fencing and gates might be your only option.

At Steel Advantage, we prefer permanent steel security gates and fencing to keep children safe from drowning in backyard pools. Plain bar gates in a color that goes with your existing security gates and doors or that coordinates with your yard can also enhance your home rather than detract.

What do you think? Do you prefer a mesh pool fence or a steel pool fence? Let us know in the comments section below.

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