Permanent vs. Removable Pool Fences

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The first decision most St. George pool owners make is whether they want a fence that stays up for good or one that can come down. Both can be good choices. The right one depends on who uses the pool, how long you need the fence, your budget and how much you care about the view.

Side-by-side comparison

	Removable mesh	Aluminum	Glass
Typical cost per foot*	Lowest ($10–$30)	Middle ($30–$45)	Highest ($120+)
Can it come down?	Yes, in minutes	No	No
Climb resistance	High: no footholds	Good with narrow pickets	High: smooth panels
View	See-through mesh	Open pickets	Clearest
Durability	Mesh may need replacing over time in strong sun	Very durable; no rust	Very durable; needs cleaning
Maintenance	Clean, check tension	Very low	Hard water spots
Installation	Sleeves drilled into the deck	Posts in deck or footings	Spigots or base channel

*Typical national installed ranges from HomeGuide (2026). Not a quote. See our cost guide.

When removable mesh makes sense

• You have toddlers now and won't need a fence in a few years.
• Grandkids visit for part of the year.
• You host parties, rent the home to groups or want an open deck for photos.
• You want the most protection for the least money.

Learn more on the removable mesh pool fence page.

When permanent makes sense

• The pool is always accessible, like at a rental or a home with a pet door.
• You want a long-term, low-maintenance solution. Aluminum is the workhorse.
• You care most about the view. Glass is hard to beat.
• You manage a community or HOA pool that needs to meet public pool barrier rules.

Safety: both work when the gate works

A pool fence is only as good as its gate. Whatever you choose, the gate should close and latch on its own every time, swing away from the pool and have a latch out of children's reach. A removable fence only protects your kids when it's up, so be honest about whether you'll put it back after a party. See self-closing pool gates.

Code considerations

St. George's pool permit checklist calls for a barrier at least 5 ft tall, no more than a 2-inch gap at the bottom and self-closing, self-latching gates that swing outward. Any fence you choose, removable or permanent, needs to meet the rules your city enforces for your pool. Read the pool fence code guide and confirm with your building department.

Desert-specific tips

Southern Utah sun is intense. Ask for UV-stabilized mesh and powder-coated metal. Hard water spots on glass are the most common complaint, so keep sprinklers pointed away. Wind on open lots in Hurricane and Leeds means hardware matters. If you're raising little ones, our child safety guide has a quick checklist.

Quick decision guide

If your kids are under five and your budget is tight, start with removable mesh. If you rent the home to the public or the pool is always reachable, go permanent with aluminum. If the view is why you bought the house, choose glass and plan for cleaning. Still unsure? Choose "Not sure yet" on the quote form, and an installer can walk you through the options for your yard.

Frequently asked questions

Is a removable pool fence as safe as a permanent one?

When it's installed and the gate is closed, a quality mesh fence is a strong barrier that's hard for small children to climb. The difference is that a removable fence only protects when it's up.

Which lasts longer?

Aluminum and glass generally last longer than mesh. Mesh may need replacing sooner in strong desert sun.

Can I start with mesh and switch later?

Yes. Many families use mesh while their kids are small and switch to a permanent fence, or take the fence down, later.

Which fence is cheapest?

Mesh is usually the lowest cost per foot, then aluminum, then glass.