Pool safety is a priority. North Texas pros offer the most attractive backyard options

Two truths sometimes collide when it comes to extra measures for pool safety. “Everybody with kids thinks about it,” says Craig Stevenson, director of Pools by Design, a division of New Leaf Custom Homes of Dallas. Also, “people generally don’t want to ruin the aesthetics by putting up a kiddie fence.”

Joe De Alba, general manager of the D-FW division of Anthony & Sylvan Pools, estimates that 10-15% of clients are interested in a layer of safety beyond what municipal codes require. For those who want additional protection while still enjoying the beauty of their pool, there are a range of options. “There is something for everyone out there to make the pool safe,” De Alba says.

Movable pool floors

De Alba, a self-described “second-generation pool guy,” sounds excited when describing the top-of-the-line option: A pool that transforms into a (slightly damp) deck in a matter of minutes at the touch of a button. It’s done through a rising pool floor; touch the button again and your pool reappears. (Search “movable pool floor” on YouTube for a range of examples.)

You’ll pay for this kind of magic, though. Entry-level movable pool floors start at around $150,000, and the options just go up from there. De Alba estimates a custom rising floor to run around $400,000. He came close to having this feature installed in a customer’s pool earlier this year, but plans changed at the last minute. Still, he’s seen one in person and says you can’t beat it for safety, as long as the deck is up. “There’s no way into the water at that point,” De Alba explains.

Automatic pool covers

Automatic covers also operate at the flip of a switch or even the touch of an app, sliding across the surface of a pool. Most are able to be walked on (not regularly, but they could support someone’s weight for maintenance or an emergency), but they’re used infrequently in North Texas. Stevenson has installed only one, and he says that particular project added about $26,000 to the cost of what was a relatively small pool. The general price range is around $10,000 to $20,000, depending on the size of the pool and how the cover is mounted.

De Alba has installed just one automatic cover as well. He says they’re more popular in colder climates, where pools are less likely to stay open year-round. But if it does sound like something that would work for you, deck-mount and recessed options are available. Recessed covers will blend better into the surroundings, while deck mounts are more visible (though that may be your only option if you’re retrofitting a pool). They come in a range of colors, such as blue, beige, green and gray, depending on the manufacturer you choose. And some manufacturers can customize automatic covers for non-rectangular pools, too.

Manual pool covers

Manual, walkable pool covers are significantly less expensive than automatic — expect to spend in the hundreds or the lower thousands. Like automatic covers, these may be available in a range of colors. Most people put them out seasonally, to protect pools through the winter and make maintenance easier, but they also offer peace of mind with children. One brand features a photo of an elephant standing on top of a covered pool – no toddlers will be slipping into the water. Some manual covers are densely constructed mesh or vinyl, while others look more like a net that won’t let someone fall through.

While the safety value is most important, De Alba’s opinion is that a manual cover isn’t the most attractive option. “To me, it’s not. It looks like a spider web.” There’s also the work and time it takes to install and remove as you deal with multiple anchor points around the cover.

Some automatic cover manufacturers also make a manual version, which operates without electricity or hydraulics. These typically have a hand crank or reel system. This type of cover is less expensive than automatic (generally in the thousands instead of $10,000 and up) but takes more effort.

Pool fences

You could choose a lockable wrought iron fence or privacy fence around your pool and deck; those would obviously be permanent fixtures in your yard. Another option is high-visibility mesh fencing, which typically comes in panels attached to metal posts. It might be free-standing or tied into existing structures on the property. Generally, holes are drilled into the decking around the pool and fitted with sleeves, and the fence posts slide into these.

The mesh safety fencing typically costs $15 to $30 per linear foot. Some of these systems have door panels and are not meant to be taken down every time you use the pool. The versions without a door can be awkward to put up and take down, Stevenson says. But when it’s time for a pool party, they can be removed, rolled up and stowed in the garage faster than dealing with a manual cover. The fencing is also handled while standing, not bending over on hands and knees, another reason De Alba’s customers like it. The fence may not be especially attractive while it’s up, but, “in 15 minutes, it’s gone,” De Alba shares. “It’s like it was never there.”

Water, door and gate alarms

Alarms often have minimal visual impact, although De Alba cautions that these are retroactive safety measures instead of proactive. There are pool alarms with sensors in the water, typically costing between a couple hundred and several hundred dollars. These systems sense waves or ripples; measurable motion, such as what you’d get if a child fell into the pool, triggers an alarm in the house. Door alarms and gate alarms also can alert adults when someone might be heading to the pool unsupervised, and you can snag one at a relatively inexpensive price. Some are as low as about $20.

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