Inspiration needed: Pools with permanent fences

[convan23]

Considering a new pool build. We are on a reasonably large property and would like the pool area fenced. Most of the builders we’ve talked are so used to just doing the classic centered pool off the back porch or some variation of that we’re having a hard time getting inspiration on what we could do. I think we have opportunity to create a cool separated pool space, but really I just want to see examples of what others have done.

So...if you have a fenced in pool or have seen any other pool projects with a fenced in pool area, I’d love photos.

 

[Dirk]

My pool is surrounded by the typical black metal fence. For me, it's about disappearing, not decorating. With my foreground and background landscaping, the black metal disappears about as well as a fence can. Local code (I think Federal, maybe, too) dictates: 4" between pickets, 5' tall, no more than 2" between bottom and ground. So that kinda limited my choices anyway. Put your money into plants more than fancy fencing, was my suggestion.

 

[convan23]

My pool is surrounded by the typical black metal fence. For me, it's about disappearing, not decorating. With my foreground and background landscaping, the black metal disappears about as well as a fence can. Local code (I think Federal, maybe, too) dictates: 4" between pickets, 5' tall, no more than 2" between bottom and ground. So that kinda limited my choices anyway. Put your money into plants more than fancy fencing, was my suggestion.

View attachment 164106

Beautiful area! What does this look like from outside the pool area?

 

[PoolGate]

I was playing around with a drone the other day. Here is a flyover from the front of my house to the rear. You can see the "carved out" area. I am on about 2 acres.

 

[HermanTX]

It may be worth hiring a landscape architect person. They have seen a lot and have great ideas. If you have sufficient land, I am sure they can develop several ideas for you that may include an outdoor kitchen or bar area, a cabana area. Also, you may want to consider a pool equipment shed rather than just having the pool equipment out in the open. There are numerous ideas and concepts based on how far away you want the pool from your patio area.

 

[Dirk]

Beautiful area! What does this look like from outside the pool area?

Not as nice, but that's because I don't use that part of my yard and so the landscaping is designed primarily with the "front view" in mind. But the concept is the same: hide your fence in landscaping. I could let many of my plants just grow through the fence, and hide it that way, but that usually causes more maintenance problems than having separate landscaping on each side. But mostly: just outside that fence I have a gopher fence that keeps gophers and raccoons out of my yard (which protects all those plants). It's electrified, so I have to keep all that clear just behind the fence...

 

[convan23]

It may be worth hiring a landscape architect person. They have seen a lot and have great ideas. If you have sufficient land, I am sure they can develop several ideas for you that may include an outdoor kitchen or bar area, a cabana area. Also, you may want to consider a pool equipment shed rather than just having the pool equipment out in the open. There are numerous ideas and concepts based on how far away you want the pool from your patio area.

Good thoughts! We’ve had some builders push back on the equipment shed but it seems like it could help the equipment last longer?

We did work with a landscape architect to put an initial design together. Having second thoughts mainly around how the fenced area is incorporated. It’d look great if there was no fence! Just trying to get ideas on what others have done and what the end result looks like, similar to @Dirk. It’s a hard term to search for on Houzz or Pinterest

 

[JJ_Tex]

Most in DFW (including me) have small backyards and incorporate the pool decking into their existing patio rather than 2 separate areas.

Are you open to using other types of barriers? You could do a really cool natural design with a pond/stream barrier for at least part of the barrier around the pool.

 

[revitup]

Are there areas where code actually doesn’t require a fence? Have you spoken to your insurance provider about liability?

 

[convan23]

Fence is for our benefit, not required by any code. Have young kids in the house, since we have the space would rather do something where the fence is considered a permanent structure and not an after thought or temporary. We have friends that their toddler drowned, so it's a sensitive subject. I think there's opportunity to either create more of a stately look, resort look or something to that affect.

Here's some stuff we're looking at - three attachment:

1. The original design a landscape designer came up with
I think this could be really pretty, but it's also a lot more seating areas and spaces then I think we want or need. Pool house, 2 covered pergolas, sun deck, tanning ledge, fire pit seating, outdoor dining area, another covered living area. Just a lot. Don't want to buy that much furniture!

2. A revised landscape design
This was better. Still feels like "a lot". But I think the primary reservation with this design is that you're still staring at a fence from the house viewing area. From the sides or behind you see a lot of landscape and such, but from the house it's decking then fence.

3. My recent drawing, that we are currently working with a PB to draw up. Will post 3D renderings soon. The pool is now closer to the house, which we originally didn't want, but the pro is that we can attach the fence to the house, and there's not a fence line going across our view of the pool. Note: landscaping in this version isn't by any means final, I'm going to work with our same landscape architect again to re-arch a landscape design around the new pool.

Note: the second exterior door to the left of the patio is a powder bathroom, that we plan on making a "pool" bath. The room to the immediate left of the patio is our nook and kitchen area, where we eat most meals in as a family. So we'll have expansive unblocked views of the pool from there. Behind the patio is our living space, so that room will get some fence views but if we do landscaping right I think it'll still look nice and frame in the rest of the backyard.

The cabana structure is going to be a modern shed-shaped roof.

Would love more feedback related to just fence layout and overall layout. I plan on posting something separate with the exact pool bid, equipment, etc for more pool-specific feedback from this amazing community. Thanks!