I'd do a farm gate

Mountain, It is my understanding that a split rail fence will not comply with the Maine Uniform Building Code requirements for a pool enclosure. The attached link is to MainLine Fence Co and cites the code requirements.Fence Requirements

4 and 6.

I like #4 best. It looks like the sort of gate for a secret garden.

ETA: Not sure it will work with the split rail though if you are able to use that.

I was also wondering if a split rail fence would be legal as a pool enclosure.

I think with a split rail fence, I'd want something more rustic, like this-

(Sorry, can't get pic to post, here's the link)

http://www.webdesignfromllyn.info/cc/arches-gates-fencing/round-top-arch-with-gate.htm

http://livinator.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/canadiangardening.jpg

Agreed. I like the gates, but don't picture any of them with the split rail.

the split rail works when you use a mesh; i think i can find a photo somewhere but its really hard to see

Mtn - quick question - are you saying the mesh in attached to the split rail...like for a true "fenced in" pool? Back to your question - I like #5 of your choices but would do it in a natural cedar to match the split rail. I also like Tib's farm fence and I don't think it will look like "farmish" with the split rail.

You just answered my question as I was posting :). I just changed my mind - you need something more decorative than the farm gate so staying with #5.

I think your above choices are too ornate for a split rail fence. I agree with tibbrix and would keep it simple. Here is a nice example of a split rail gate being just that, a split rail gate.

I like roarah's option best. All the others seem very craftsman-ish. The farm gate is appropriate for a pasture, but I like the X shape for a pool.

Of your postings, I like the last one best, because of its openness...frame the view, don't block it. But can't see its formality with the casual split rail fencing.

I think I'd investigate doing something fun out of metal that will match the openness and yet not take itself too seriously. Esp since you seem to be adding whimsey to the house, from the wave to the flamigo.

Maybe even an octopus! :)

If those are too whimsical, then perhaps something with more of an antique flair.

You could also stick with wood and do something more in keeping with the split rail.

Or something more in keeping with the Maine woods.

or more like your moon gate but less formal take on it

I know, i'm always verbose so its easy to miss the facts. From the beginning I said the fence will also have mesh. And, even though I may show some in different stain, in all cases it will be cedar left to turn grey.

Annie, that octopus is so cool. But I can't explain why, but I think metal fences go with stone or brick homes. IDK why.

Here are some gates with split rails.

Funny, I'm just the opposite...I think the mixed media adds more contrast and more informality to the look. But you can do whimsy with wood too. Of this last bunch you posted, I think the 1st looks most natural.

Neighbors have put a really tall arch top gate into their stone wall...probably 7' high or more... but it looks ridiculous as the wall itself is only about 18" high. It looks like the one ordering the gate never talked to the one doing the wall.

Yeah, I think the first one is essentially the type gate Roarah suggested, or the one Tiib suggested, with a metal arbor behind it.

I think the second to the last works as well. Just reimagine it in grey, and with the cedar as rails not planks, and also with a vine trained over it (that is planned).

Sorry I missed that your fence will be backed with mesh.

I think, if you would like to do a trellis/arch enclosed gate the width of the gate will need to be wide enough to maintain an open feel. The split rail has an open, loping feel to it. The enclosed arch feels a bit uptight and claustrophobic in comparison. The image with the morning glories(I think that is what they are, but maybe clematis) works but it might be because the flowers are softening the rigidity of the metal trellis they are supported by. The hardscape of the gate matches the height and heaviness of the fence itself. the fence in that image is also a three rail fence, and the first image in your original post is of a two rail. A two rail is a lot more unstructured and open feeling.

Oh and do make sure the gate opening is wide enough for lawn maintenance people to get their equipment in.

Coincidentally I have new gates for my vegetable garden and my chicken run in progress.

I like the last one the best. What will you be having around the pool as ground cover? Any place to change or set your towel? If not maybe the gate could be pushed to the front of the structure and benches and hooks incorporated to the "hall" of the archway. Will you be growing plants over it?

Of course you want it decorative..but I am wondering if any of them meet code. Pretty sure they have to prevent people from wandering in--so lockable and best practice is they are totally PRIVATE so no one sees the attractive nuisance and attempts to "visit" uninvited.

I like the first one with the blue morning glory arch.

I think you also want to avoid metals, as much as possible, when you're by the sea. For that reason also, I'd keep a wood gate as simple as possible. Fewer replacement parts.

Of the last 4 you posted I like the #2 and #4 best, but I would make the gate in #4 look more like the gate in #5 with the boards separated for a more open look. It seems to me that the boards being close together seems to close off that view unnecessarily.

I love the simplicity of the gate roarah posted. Could you do smaller stone pillars with a gate and make the stone also serve as a planter for your overhead trellis?

I like the last one the best because you have a lot of choices for your gardening ideas , top and sides.

But I would go a bit wider.

There are so many great ones shown here! I'd be terrified some neighbor kid would climb over it and be in the pool. That's just me :(

I do hope you enjoy your new pool! :)

I like the 6th one you posted that is painted dark green. Even though I realize you won't be painting it.

In my area a split. May be used for pool fencing if it is a minimum of 4ft and the mesh must be on the outside to block a foot from using a bottom rail for hoisting over the fence. It will need to be three rails not two like your present fence I believe. Here is an example to code

I believe the gate needs to be high as well, not operable by a young child from outside the pool area and come down very close to the ground 2-3 inches?). That was one reason I chose as I did from your choices. Of course, when I was growing up and we went away, some of my friends came over to swim anyway and one actually removed the gate to get in rather than climbing over the fence! He did replace it afterward. ;)

I really didn't understand what a moon gate was until this thread. Previous home across the golf course fairway put one in. I hated that thing. Stuck out like a sore thumb. I kept wanting to put a big K in it. Circle K!

Anyway, I like the casual gates much better. Good luck with your pool gate dilemma.

I love that octopus too! Our home is stucco, Mediterranean style, and all our railing, fencing and gates are wrought iron, including the pool fencing.

Suzi, I have seen several around town here that I liked (moon gates, I think). I agree, the octopus is so cool!

Cyn, Arcy, The gate will comply with code, of course. One can probably make most of the gates pictured here code compliant. We have had pools since we bought our first home and put one in. So it's not our first rodeo.

Roarah, to meet height reqmts, we will be three rails high as well. Not to put too fine a point on it, but probably where our pool fence would abut the neighbors', rather than having back to back split rail, we will have just mesh or somesuch. The side that faces our house, where the entry gate is, will be split rail with mesh, as will the side perpendicular to that. The last side, which faces the ocean, will probably be a haha in the wild grasses. I am not sure what material that will be. Prob split rail again so it looks good in winter.

KSWL, yes, I do too. But I need to show the landscape architect because we would have to move the whole fence forward to be able to have that recess. As it is now, stone steps begin just the other side of the gate.

Rob, We have had pools in other homes, so kind of used to it. Plus we don't really have many neighbors. We are kind of tucked back in from the main road, and there are only three other houses here, quite far apart, each on 2 to 5 acres, and 2 have pools already.

Lyban, Thanks, that is a good point.

Outside, I totally agree that a totally solid gate looks a bit off with the open fence. I like"roarah's gate" vm too, but it will kind of disappear. It is shown in a small expanse, in a sort of intimate setting. By contrast, when you arrive at our home, this will be in the distance some.

TIbb, I agree. It's such a pain even locking doors with the salt air.

Daisy, yes. We always planned on a flowering vine, but in some choices they really dominate! Heretofore I told the landscape architect that all i want is blue hydrangea, but I want a ton of them. I know there is climbing hydranagea, too.

Local, I was (believe it or not), trying to cut down on all the details when describing the fence, but in fact it will have three rails on the side where the gate is. Oddly, the side where we border the neighbor with the two rail, it might look like that is our fence, too, but we will have mesh or wire there. Thank goodness we have a lot of vegetation to fudge with this, and we are not going for a manicured look at all.

Show us your project!

Kippy, almost forgot! We are going for a natural look. The pool will have irregular bluestone set in gravel or was it sand or was it grass? IDRK anymore. Below is a rough diagram of the area. You enter at the pink star; that is where the gate goes. Large rocks form steps down to the hot tub on the right, and a dining area on the left. A few more steps, and you are down to the pool. The bluestone is shown in light blue. The white area is inside of the fence; the green is the outside (but still our property).

PS there is a secondary, wider gate, for eqp and the golf cart.

I really love some of the pics Annie posted above, esp the last cedar rail gate and arbor. Personally, I'd do the octopus, but see that is not to your taste.

What about doing some simple stone columns with the rails abutting them something like this? I suspect this has an arch overhead, similar to a moon gate. Not suggesting the tool theme, just showing the stone work and shape of the gate.

This stone is much more elaborate than what I'm picturing, but I like the mix of the weathered driftwood arch and gate, with the stone and could see split rail coming off smaller stone columns,

Or a simple rustic arbor and gate

Edited to add: if you like the stone idea, here is another that might work paired with columns at the gate...or maybe is too elaborate:

Awesome! Whew. Glad to know they are far apart and are less likely to wander your way since they'll be plenty happy at home.

"We have had pools in other homes, so kind of used to it. Plus we don't really have many neighbors. We are kind of tucked back in from the main road, and there are only three other houses here, quite far apart, each on 2 to 5 acres, and 2 have pools already."

I think stone columns for the gate would be a good tie in to the other areas of the property. They would frame the entrance and set it apart, as you stated you wished. You could add an arch to the top if you wished as well. If you really like moon gate styles, the appearance would be softened over time by adding a vine of some sort (take that with a grain of salt though, I love to add climbing plants wherever I can).

Tishtosh, Hmm, i do think that using some sort of stone is an interesting idea, to help transition.And yes, a vine has always been in the plan... we want an overgrown, even slightly wild feel.

Rob. : )

Oly, I really like the Octopus (I have a set of Octopus plates). But, I can't see it marrying into split rail. I also think it would need to be a double gate, but the plan is for a single gate, matching the width of the path down to the spa and pool. Lastly, that is one very nicely done Octopus. I think it would cost several multiples more than what we are looking at, assuming I could find someone with that talent. If I thought it were perfect, maybe, but ...

ANyway, I love your first one and the very rustic one.

I saw a lovely gate with split rail fencing once. It was kind of like the split rail gate above but instead of the X it had another design of several verticals on each side with an open center. There were 2 sides to the gate that closed in the center so the opening was wide and not square. The posts on each side of the gate were tall and there were 2 more tall posts just inside with something on the top connecting them. A beautiful weeping plant intertwined with a rose to cover whatever structure was on the top. It was very soft and romantic and looked perfectly at home with the split rail fencing.

I think you should have your moongate! What about incorporating the unfussiness of a true split rail gate with your moongate. I photoshopped the two together below. Well, that's really not a moongate, but you get the idea. Sorry, I couldn't find a pic with good resolution:

mtn - Loved seeing your plans. The notes make it seem like so much fun is planned for the area - 'To ocean and seating area', To games'. (And these adjoining an ocean view pool!).

I liked 4 the most, but probably largely due to the landscaping and 'secret garden' feel. I tried searching for split rail fences and it's really tough to find any with decorative gates. I liked the clean feeling of this one (could be a smaller gate elsewhere?)

I also liked the taller arch on this one with the light hanging down. (I think I'd do recessed lighting pointing down though). Way too tall, but perhaps a simpler arch could be incorporated with the gate above, and stone posts/walls on each side.

And one more - vertical and horizontal working together.

Oooh, like that last one, oldbat! Perfect with the split rail.