Glass looks killer, but yeah, it’s a pain to keep spotless—especially with kids and pets. Here’s what I’ve noticed:
- Matte glass does hide smudges a bit better, but it’s not magic. You’ll still see water spots, especially after rain or pool splashes.
- Aluminum is way less maintenance. Just hose it down now and then, and you’re good.
- If you’re set on glass, maybe do a combo? Glass panels where you want the view, aluminum elsewhere. That’s what my neighbor did and it works.
- One thing: aluminum can get hot in the sun, so watch out if your dog likes to lean or jump.
Honestly, unless you’re obsessed with that resort vibe, aluminum’s just easier on your sanity.
Glass Vs. Aluminum Fencing Around The Pool—What’s Actually Better?
I kinda get the aluminum-is-easier argument, but I’m still leaning glass for a few reasons:
- The view is just unbeatable. We’ve got a small-ish backyard, and the glass makes it feel way more open. With aluminum, it felt like we were fencing ourselves in.
- I was worried about the cleaning too, but honestly, a quick wipe every couple days has been fine (and my kids are fingerprint machines). Maybe I’m weird, but I don’t mind the little routine.
- The combo idea is smart, but I tried it at my last place and ended up wishing I’d just gone all glass. The mix looked a bit patchy, at least for our setup.
- One thing with aluminum—my cousin’s dog actually burned his nose on it last summer. Didn’t even think about that until it happened.
It’s definitely more upkeep, but I figure I’m already out there skimming leaves and stuff, so what’s one more thing? For me, the look is worth it... but yeah, depends how much time you want to spend cleaning.
The view is just unbeatable. We’ve got a small-ish backyard, and the glass makes it feel way more open.
That’s a big one for me too—glass really does open things up visually. I’ll admit, aluminum is a breeze to install and basically maintenance-free, but it can make a tight space feel even smaller. One thing I’d add: if you go glass, invest in quality hardware and make sure the posts are anchored well. I’ve seen cheaper installs shift over time, especially if the ground settles. As for cleaning, I use a squeegee after rain and it cuts down on water spots—takes maybe two minutes. If you’re already out there doing pool chores, it’s not much extra work.
Glass does look sharp, no question. I’ve put in a bunch of both types, and honestly, the biggest thing I see folks overlook with glass is the anchoring, like you mentioned. If your soil’s got any give to it, or you’re near a lot of tree roots, those posts can start to lean after a couple seasons. I’ve had to go back and fix a few where the installer just used basic concrete footings and called it a day. Not fun to dig out after the fact.
Aluminum’s definitely easier on the install side—lighter, less fuss with the base, and you can usually get away with smaller footings. But yeah, it’s not winning any awards for “most open feel.” I’ve seen some folks try to split the difference with those aluminum frames and glass panels, but then you’re kind of getting the worst of both worlds: more cleaning, but still some visual clutter.
One thing I always ask people is how much wind they get in their yard. Glass can act like a sail if you’re not careful, especially with those big panels. Had a client near the coast who lost two panels in a storm because the hardware wasn’t rated for high wind. Aluminum’s got more give, so it’ll flex instead of shatter.
On cleaning—yeah, squeegee’s the way to go. I tell people if you’re already out there skimming leaves, it’s just another quick step. But if you’ve got hard water, those spots can be stubborn. I’ve seen folks try Rain-X or similar stuff on the panels, but it’s hit or miss.
Curious if anyone’s tried those new “frameless” glass systems? I’ve only installed one so far, and it looked amazing, but the price tag was... let’s just say not for the faint of heart.
Frameless glass looks unreal, but yeah, the cost is wild. I did one last year and the client loved it, but honestly, the install was a bear—needed precision down to the millimeter. If you’re not on dead-level concrete, it’s a headache. For most folks, aluminum’s just way less stress.
