Glass pool fences vs aluminium, mesh and Colorbond

There is no single best pool fence. Glass is the right answer when the view and a clean look matter and the budget allows. Other types make sense where cost, privacy or an existing boundary fence decide the job. Below is how they compare as pool barriers in NSW.

The rules every type must meet

NSW Government guidance (Pool owner obligations, nsw.gov.au) applies regardless of material:

• Barrier at least 1.2 m high from finished ground level.
• Gap at the bottom no more than 100 mm; gaps between vertical bars no more than 100 mm.
• Horizontal climbable bars at least 900 mm apart.
• Boundary fence used as a barrier: 1.8 m high.
• Non-climbable zone of 900 mm (arc, outside) plus 300 mm inside the pool area.
• Self-closing, self-latching gates opening away from the pool.

Side-by-side

Costs for aluminium, mesh and boundary fences are described in general terms only, because we have no verified per-metre figures to cite.

Glass

Glass offers an unobstructed view of the water from the house and deck, and it has no rails to climb. The compliance risks are mostly the gate and the clear zone. Costs are the highest of the group. Service.com.au (updated 14 April 2026) lists frameless at $430-$600 per metre installed and semi-frameless at $300-$430. Yakka Labour (published 1 October 2026, incl. GST) lists frameless 12 mm on core-drilled spigots at $400-$700, and notes that Sydney and Melbourne sit at the higher end. Compare frameless against semi-frameless before deciding.

Aluminium tubular

A mainstream, lower-priced choice with a familiar look. The compliance trap is the horizontal rail. If the horizontal bars are less than 900 mm apart, a child can climb them. Check the bar gaps as well, since they cannot exceed 100 mm. Powder-coat damage gives corrosion a place to start, which is more of a risk near the coast.

Mesh

Mesh keeps a view and is often used where a fence must be removable. Its compliance depends on how it is tensioned and fixed, so the installation matters more than the product. Check tension and fixings regularly, and keep the NCZ clear.

Colorbond and boundary fences

A solid boundary fence can act as the pool barrier, provided it is 1.8 m high and meets the rest of the rules. It is the lowest-effort option where the fence already exists, and it gives the most privacy. But you must inspect the neighbour’s side as well: anything that gives a foothold within the NCZ, such as a shed, planter or retaining wall, makes it non-compliant. It also blocks the view, which matters for supervision.

Maintenance and salt exposure

Glass needs cleaning and the occasional hardware check. Metal parts matter near saltwater and chlorine. For any type, ask what grade the fittings are, and rinse them as the supplier recommends. If you are within sight of the water on the Northern Beaches or in the Sutherland Shire, treat this as a deciding factor.

Cost reality

Glass costs more per metre, but compare the full picture:

• a gate adds cost on any type
• DIY kits start lower. Glassfit Australia (glassfit.com.au, checked October 2026) advertises kits from $205 per metre pin-fixed and $225 per metre face-fixed, supply only. See our DIY kit page
• an inspection failure costs more than getting the specification right

Choosing

Choose glass if the view and look matter. Choose aluminium if cost leads. Choose Colorbond if a compliant 1.8 m boundary fence is already there. Whatever you pick, confirm requirements with your council or a certifier, then request a quote through the free quote form.