If you’ve started looking at pool fencing, there’s a good chance one of your first questions is pretty simple:
How much is this actually going to cost me?
It’s a fair question. Unfortunately, it’s also one that’s difficult to answer properly without seeing the property.
You’ll find plenty of per-metre prices online, but they can be misleading. One backyard might have a straight, level fence line with easy access. Another might have sloping ground, existing paving, an old fence that needs removing, two gates and awkward corners around landscaping.
They might need roughly the same amount of fencing, but they’re not the same job. The other big factor is what you actually want the finished pool area to look like.
A straightforward aluminium fence is a very different product to frameless glass. And increasingly, homeowners are also considering architectural options such as blade fencing.
So rather than throwing out a number that may have very little to do with your property, let’s look at what actually determines the cost of pool fencing and where your money goes.
What Affects the Cost of Pool Fencing?
There are a handful of things that make the biggest difference.
1. The Type of Pool Fencing You Choose
This is usually the starting point.
Some fencing systems simply cost more to manufacture and install than others. At Kelgar, the main options we work with are:
● Glass pool fencing
● Aluminium pool fencing
● Blade pool fencing
Each has its place.
If keeping costs down is the main priority, aluminium is usually the first option worth looking at.
If the pool is a major feature of the backyard and you want to keep the view as open as possible, glass will generally make more sense.
Blade fencing sits somewhere different again. It’s generally chosen for its architectural appearance and ability to provide some additional visual privacy while still allowing light and airflow through the area.
There isn’t really a single “best” pool fence.
There’s the fence that works best for your particular backyard, budget and priorities.
How Much Does Glass Pool Fencing Cost?
Glass is usually at the premium end of pool fencing.
Current Australian cost guides show a very wide range for installed glass fencing, which is exactly why we’d be cautious about relying on a generic online per-metre figure. The final price depends heavily on the system, hardware, site and installation requirements.
The first question is normally whether you want frameless or semi-frameless glass. Frameless Glass
This is the clean, almost uninterrupted glass look you see around many modern pools.
The panels are generally supported from below using spigots rather than having posts running between every panel.
It looks fantastic when the pool is visible from an alfresco area, kitchen or living room because there’s very little interrupting your view.
But achieving that clean finish involves more than simply buying some sheets of glass. The supporting surface, fixing method, glass panels, hardware, gate and exact layout all matter.
If you’re considering this option, have a look at our Glass Pool Fencing page to see the difference between the systems we install.
Semi-Frameless Glass
Semi-frameless fencing uses slim posts between the glass panels.
You still get a very open view, but the construction is different.
It can make a lot of sense on longer fence runs, sloping sites or areas where a frameless spigot system isn’t ideal for the existing surface.
It can also be a more practical way of getting the look of glass without necessarily using a completely frameless system around the entire pool.
And that brings us to something homeowners sometimes overlook.
You don’t necessarily need to use one fencing material everywhere.
A property might use glass along the section visible from the house and aluminium elsewhere. That can be a smart way of putting the money where you’ll actually notice it.
How Much Does Aluminium Pool Fencing Cost?
Aluminium is generally one of the more cost-effective ways to enclose a pool. That doesn’t mean it needs to look cheap.
Modern powder-coated aluminium fencing is clean, durable and easy to maintain. It works particularly well on larger pool areas where doing the entire perimeter in glass could push the project well beyond the budget.
It’s also practical.
You don’t have fingerprints and water marks showing up in the same way they can on glass, there’s no timber to repaint, and aluminium doesn’t rust.
We regularly see it used for family homes, investment properties and sections of larger pool surrounds where a clear glass view isn’t really necessary.
You can read more about the options on our Aluminium Pool Fencing page.
What About Blade Pool Fencing?
Blade fencing has become an increasingly interesting option for people who want something more architectural than standard picket fencing.
Instead of a traditional fence panel, you get vertical aluminium blades.
From one angle, the fence can appear quite solid. Move around it and the space opens up between the blades.
That gives the pool area a degree of privacy without completely boxing it in.
It can work particularly well where a pool sits near a neighbouring property, street frontage or outdoor entertaining area.
If that sounds closer to the look you’re after, see our Blade Pool Fencing options.
Fence Length Obviously Matters — But It’s Not the Whole Story
Yes, a 30-metre fence will generally cost more than a 10-metre fence.
But simply multiplying a generic “price per metre” by the length of your pool fence can give you the wrong idea.
Why?
Because a pool fence isn’t just a row of identical panels.
You’ve also got:
● Corners
● Gates
● Changes in direction
● Changes in ground level
● Different fixing surfaces
● Existing structures
● Landscaping
● Boundary fences
● Access to the backyard
Sometimes a shorter but complicated fence can take more work than a longer straight run.
That’s why measuring the perimeter yourself can give you a rough starting point, but it isn’t really a substitute for having someone look at the site.
Pool Gates Can Make a Bigger Difference Than You Think
The gate is one of the most important parts of the entire pool barrier.
It also requires more hardware than a standard fence panel.
A proper pool gate needs to self-close and self-latch correctly. Positioning matters too. If your layout requires two gates instead of one, that will affect the overall price. And we’d strongly recommend not treating the gate as the place to save a few dollars.
It’s the moving part of your pool fence. It’s opened, closed, pushed, pulled and exposed to the weather year after year.
You can learn more about the different options on our Pool Gates page.
Your Existing Surface Matters
This is one of those things you don’t really think about until someone comes out to quote the job.
What’s underneath the fence?
Concrete?
Pavers?
Timber decking?
Soil?
Is it level?
Is it solid enough to support the proposed system?
For example, frameless glass panels rely on their fixings and supporting surface. The installer needs to know what’s actually there rather than assuming everything underneath the paving is suitable.
The same applies to aluminium posts and blade fencing.
A fence that looks simple above ground can require a fair bit of thought underneath it.
What If There’s Already an Old Pool Fence?
If you’re replacing an existing pool fence, removal needs to be considered as part of the job. Sometimes the old fence comes out easily.
Sometimes it doesn’t.
Existing posts may be concreted in, old fixings may need to be removed from paving, or sections of the surrounding area may need to be dealt with before the new fence goes in.
If your current fence is starting to move, rust, crack or simply doesn’t suit the renovated pool area anymore, it may be worth looking at replacement rather than continuing to patch it.
We’ve covered that in more detail in our guide to when you should replace your pool fence.
For smaller problems, our Pool Fence Repairs service may also be worth looking at before assuming the whole fence needs to come out.
Don’t Forget About Pool Fencing Regulations
This isn’t the exciting part of choosing a pool fence, but it’s probably the most important. Pool fencing isn’t just decorative fencing.
It’s a safety barrier.
In Victoria, swimming pools and spas capable of holding more than 300mm of water require a compliant barrier. Requirements cover things such as barrier height, openings, gates and non-climbable areas.
That also means the cheapest fencing option isn’t much of a bargain if the finished barrier isn’t suitable for the property.
Kelgar installs pool fencing with current requirements in mind, although compliance inspections and certification are carried out separately by councils or registered building professionals.
We’ve put together a dedicated guide covering Pool Fencing Regulations in Victoria if you want to understand the basics before getting started.
Glass vs Aluminium: Is Paying More Worth It?
This really comes down to what you’re trying to achieve.
If you’ve spent a significant amount on a new pool, landscaping and outdoor entertaining area, you may decide that keeping an uninterrupted view across the backyard is worth paying more for.
That’s where glass makes sense.
On the other hand, maybe you’ve got a large pool area and only one section is actually visible from the house.
In that case, doing 30 metres of frameless glass purely because someone told you glass is “better” might not make much sense.
You could use glass where the view matters and aluminium elsewhere.
That’s why we’d rather talk through the property than automatically recommend the most expensive option.
How Can You Keep Your Pool Fencing Costs Under Control?
Start with the layout rather than the material.
Ask yourself where you actually need visibility.
If there’s a beautiful view from the house across the pool, that’s probably where glass earns its keep.
If another side backs onto a boundary fence or garden bed, spending the same amount there may achieve very little.
You can also talk to your installer about:
● Combining fencing materials
● Gate placement
● Frameless versus semi-frameless glass
● Existing structures that may form part of the overall layout
● Whether the current fence can be repaired instead of completely replaced Sometimes the best solution isn’t the most expensive one.
It’s just the one that’s been thought through properly.
Why Online Pool Fencing Prices Can Be Misleading
You’ll find figures all over Google.
Some are supply-only.
Some include installation.
Some include gates.
Others don’t.
Some assume a perfectly flat, accessible site.
And some are simply broad national averages.
Current Australian cost guides themselves vary significantly on installed pool fencing prices, particularly when it comes to glass. That tells you something important: there isn’t one universal per-metre price that accurately describes every pool fence.
Use online pricing to understand the relative difference between materials, not as a final quote for your backyard.
So, How Much Will Your Pool Fence Actually Cost?
The useful answer is: it depends on what you’re fencing and how you want to fence it. The biggest factors are:
● Fence length
● Fencing material
● Frameless or semi-frameless glass
● Number of gates
● Existing surfaces
● Ground conditions
● Access
● Removal of old fencing
● Complexity of the layout
Once those things are known, the price becomes much easier to work out.
That’s why Kelgar provides onsite quotes rather than trying to guess a final figure over the phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest type of pool fencing?
Aluminium is generally one of the most cost-effective pool fencing options. It’s durable, low maintenance and can also be combined with glass if you only want clear views across certain sections of the pool.
Is glass pool fencing more expensive than aluminium?
Generally, yes. Glass systems and their associated hardware typically cost more than standard aluminium fencing. Frameless glass is normally the premium option.
Can I combine glass and aluminium pool fencing?
Absolutely. In fact, it can be a very practical approach. Glass can be used where visibility matters most, with aluminium used on less prominent sections of the pool perimeter.
What makes pool fencing more expensive?
Fence length, gates, site access, slopes, existing surfaces, removal of old fencing and the type of fence selected can all affect the final cost.
Is frameless glass more expensive than semi-frameless?
It generally is. Frameless fencing uses a different fixing system and creates the cleanest uninterrupted view, while semi-frameless fencing uses posts between the glass panels.
Do I need a professional quote?
If you want to know what your actual project will cost, yes. Online figures are useful for research, but an onsite quote can account for the real fence length, surfaces, gates and site conditions.
Get a Straightforward Pool Fencing Quote
If you’re trying to work out whether glass, aluminium or blade fencing makes the most sense for your property, you don’t need to have it all figured out before getting in touch.
That’s part of the quote.
Kelgar can look at the pool area, talk through what you’re trying to achieve and recommend a fencing setup that suits the property and your budget.
Get a Free Pool Fencing Quote and we’ll take it from there.