Aluminium tube pool fencing across the Gold Coast.

Aluminium tube fencing is the traditional Australian pool fence format — vertical aluminium pickets ~16mm diameter at 100mm maximum centres (compliance requirement), top and bottom rails tying them together. Posts every 2-3m. Modern versions use aluminium-tube construction throughout (not steel-with-aluminium-finish) which eliminates rust concerns entirely.

When to choose aluminium tube.

• Rental investment property: functional compliance without the look-at-me premium.
• Back-yard pool where the view through doesn’t matter (not the canal-view scenario).
• Strata / multi-unit complexes standardising on one fencing style.
• Replacement of 1990s aluminium where matching aesthetic is the right call.
• Tight budget where compliance is the only priority.

Marine-grade specification (critical on the Gold Coast).

• Powder coat to AS 4506 — Interpon D2525 / Dulux Duralloy or equivalent marine-grade coating.
• Pretreatment — chromate or non-chromate conversion coating before powder coat.
• 15-20 year UV + salt resistance with marine-grade. Standard powder coat = 5-8 years before fade/chalk in coastal QLD.
• 316 stainless gate hardware — same standard as glass installations. Never 304.

Standard sizes + colours.

• Picket diameter: 16mm round, 16x16mm square, or 25x25mm flat-bar.
• Picket spacing: <100mm (compliance maximum).
• Total height: 1200mm minimum (compliance), commonly 1350mm.
• Colours: Black, charcoal, white, beige, custom (Colorbond palette compatible).

Lifetime cost comparison.

Aluminium tube wins on upfront cost. But over 20 years, the total cost-of-ownership picture is similar:

• Aluminium tube: $3,500 install. Replace powder-coat at year 8-10 ($1,500). Gate hardware refresh year 10 ($500). Year 20 total: ~$5,500.
• Semi-frameless glass: $7,000 install. Glass replacement (if damaged) ~$200 per panel. Hardware refresh year 12 ($500). Year 20 total: ~$8,000-$8,500.
• Frameless glass: $11,000 install. Hardware refresh year 12 ($800). Spigot polish service ($200/yr × 20 = $4,000). Year 20 total: ~$16,000.

Aluminium is significantly cheaper over 20 years — about 65% of semi-frameless lifetime cost. But the appearance is dated for owner-occupied premium properties and most Gold Coast home-buyers discount a property with aluminium fence in 2026.