Tubular fencing is a timeless and attractive style of barrier. And because of all the possible variations, you can personalise it for your specific pool area.

Steel Or Aluminium

Step one is to choose the metal type; standard options include aluminium or steel. Aluminium is an alloy mixture of alumina and additional elements that provide strength and other attributes. One of aluminium's most exceptional qualities is how it naturally resists rust by developing an oxide layer when exposed to oxygen. Because of this, aluminium is supremely suited to withstand splashing pool water.

Steel is another possible material for tubular fences. This also is an alloy, but one that includes iron, carbon and a mix of other ingredients combined in different ratios to produce hundreds of different grades of steel. Stainless steel is one variety that naturally resists rust due to its high chromium content. Other types of steel that don't carry so much chromium, however, can't repel rust themselves. So to help waterproof the steel, it undergoes unique treatments that form a protective skin to shield the inner metal from water. Galvanising is one technique that coats metal with a protective layer of zinc oxide, resulting in galvanised steel, for example. While both aluminium and steel create robust fences, often steel is the stronger of the two, though aluminium is lighter which can help construction. 

Design Alternatives

Tubular fence designs can be straightforward and simple as are some flat top models that feature two horizontal rails fixed to a row of straight, unembellished vertical rails. The range of designs, however, are broad and diverse which gives you plenty of options to find one to your taste. At the other end of the scale, elaborate and elegant spearhead models with decorative metalwork along the upper edges produce timeless and classic looks. An intermediate design is loop-top fences, in which a tubular rail arches over at the top to form two vertical railings. The repeating loop motif creates a pleasing pattern along the fence top. 

Finish And Colour

You will also need to select a colour for the metal fencing, which can be black, green or a range of other shades. These varieties provide alternatives for you to match both the design and colour to your pool environment. Typically, metal fences undergo a powder coating treatment in which a spray gun covers the metal with an electrostatically charged dry mix of pigments and resins. A furnace then melts the compound onto the metal forming a hard and decorative finish, which provides additional protection from rust.