Had a similar experience with glass at one of my rentals—looked amazing for about two weeks, then the combo of sprinklers and wind just wrecked it. Tenants complained constantly about keeping it clean. Switched to powder-coated aluminum on the next property and barely heard a peep. It’s not perfect, but way less hassle in the long run. Glass is great for that “wow” factor, but I’d only do it again if I had a full-time cleaner... or no kids and dogs around.
- Totally agree about the glass—looks killer at first, but it’s a pain to keep spotless.
- Aluminum’s way more forgiving, especially if you’ve got trees or pets around.
- One thing though: aluminum can get pretty hot in direct sun. Not a dealbreaker, just something to think about if you’re in a warmer spot.
- If you’re after low maintenance and durability, powder-coated aluminum wins for me every time.
I get the love for powder-coated aluminum—definitely easier to live with if you’ve got a lot of trees dropping stuff or dogs running around. Still, I keep coming back to glass for one reason: the view. For me, the whole point of putting in a pool was to make the backyard feel open and connected, not boxed in. Even though glass is a hassle to keep clean (and trust me, I’m already tired of wiping off fingerprints and water spots), it really does make the space look bigger and brighter.
About the heat—yeah, aluminum can get scorching if it’s in full sun all day. I’ve seen a few neighbors’ fences where the top rail is almost untouchable by mid-afternoon. Not a huge issue if you’re not leaning on it, but if you’ve got kids who like to run their hands along the fence, it’s something to think about. I’ve also noticed that the powder coating can fade over time, especially with intense sun, though maybe that’s just the cheaper brands.
One thing I didn’t expect with glass: birds. They seem to fly into it way more than I thought they would. I ended up putting a couple of subtle decals on the panels, which helped, but it’s another little thing to manage.
If you’re after pure convenience, I can see why aluminum’s the winner. But if you’re willing to put up with a bit more upkeep for the sake of aesthetics and an open feel, glass still has its place. Just depends what you’re willing to trade off, I guess.
That’s a good breakdown. I’ve done installs with both and honestly, it’s always a trade-off. A few quick thoughts:
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— Totally get this. Glass wins hands-down for openness.“the whole point of putting in a pool was to make the backyard feel open and connected, not boxed in.”
- Cleaning glass is a pain, but if you use a rain-repellent treatment (like what’s used on car windshields), it cuts down on water spots and fingerprints a bit. Not perfect, but helps.
- For aluminum, I’ve seen better results with higher-end powder coats—less fading, but yeah, still gets hot. If you go that route, lighter colors reflect more heat.
- Bird strikes are real. I’ve seen people use frosted strips or even hang little wind chimes to help.
If you’re handy and don’t mind the upkeep, glass is hard to beat for looks. But if you want low maintenance and don’t care as much about the view, aluminum’s easier long-term. Just depends where your priorities land.
Funny you mention bird strikes—my neighbor put in a glass fence last year and the first week, they had two little chickadees bounce right off it. They ended up running fishing line vertically every 8 inches or so, which you barely notice from a distance but does the trick.
On the glass vs. aluminum debate, I’ll say this: I maintain a 1920s house and am used to things that require a bit of elbow grease, so the glass cleaning doesn’t bother me much. You’re spot on about the rain-repellent stuff—works better than I expected, especially if you keep up with it.
Aluminum’s heat is no joke in summer though. I accidentally leaned my forearm against a black post while fixing a garden hose and it felt like touching a frying pan. Lighter colors help, but if you’ve got pets or kids, worth thinking about where little hands might end up.
In the end, I think you nailed it—it’s what you’re willing to deal with. Openness vs. easy upkeep... there’s no wrong answer, just what fits your style (and patience level).