Here is a practical size guide for tempered glass pool fences commonly used in North America (including Canada/Quebec). These sizes reflect typical manufacturing standards and pool safety codes.
| Fence Type | Recommended Thickness |
|---|---|
| Framed glass fence | 8–10 mm |
| Semi-frameless fence | 10 mm |
| Frameless glass fence | 12 mm (½ inch) |
12 mm tempered glass is the industry standard for frameless pool fences because it provides the rigidity needed without metal framing.
Tempered glass is about 5–6× stronger than regular glass and breaks into small blunt pieces if shattered.
| Height | Metric | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| 36 in | 914 mm | Decorative / low barriers |
| 42 in | 1067 mm | Railings |
| 48 in | 1219 mm | Standard pool fence height |
| 60 in | 1524 mm | High safety areas |
Most building codes require minimum 48 in (1.2 m) height around pools to prevent children from climbing over.
Some jurisdictions recommend 1.5 m (5 ft) or higher depending on location and exposure.
Glass panels come in multiple widths depending on the layout.
Typical ranges:
| Width | Metric |
|---|---|
| 24 in | 610 mm |
| 30 in | 762 mm |
| 36 in | 914 mm |
| 42 in | 1067 mm |
| 48 in | 1219 mm |
| 60–65 in | 1524–1650 mm (max typical span) |
Manufacturers generally limit glass fence panels to 60–65 inches wide for structural stability.
| Component | Maximum Gap |
|---|---|
| Between glass panels | ≤ 4 in (100 mm) |
| Between glass and ground | ≤ 4 in (100 mm) |
These limits prevent children from passing through the fence.
Typical gate specs:
| Feature | Size |
|---|---|
| Gate width | 30–36 in (760–915 mm) |
| Gate thickness | 8–10 mm tempered |
| Height | Same as fence (usually 48 in) |
| Hardware | Self-closing hinges + latch |
Self-closing gates are normally required by pool safety codes.
Example of a standard panel used in many pool fence systems:
Height: 48 in (1219 mm)
Thickness: 12 mm tempered glass
Width: 36–60 in
Edge finish: polished safety edges
Mounting: stainless steel spigots or base channel
Some high-end installations use:
| Type | Thickness |
|---|---|
| Laminated tempered glass | 6+6 mm (12 mm total) |
| Heavy-duty panels | 15 mm |
This provides extra impact resistance and post-breakage retention.
✅ Quick Recommendation (Most Popular Setup)
Glass: 12 mm tempered
Height: 48 in (1219 mm)
Panel width: 36–48 in
Gap: ≤ 100 mm
This configuration works for most frameless residential pool fences.
