Styles of Bow Top Fencing

Bow Top fencing is a familiar sight across the UK, known for its distinctive arched design that adds both charm and safety to public spaces. Whether surrounding a children's play area or outlining the edge of a school field, Bow Top railings offer a combination of aesthetic appeal, functional safety, and durability. But not all Bow Top fencing is the same. Understanding the different types is crucial when choosing or specifying the right fencing solution for a particular application, especially when safety standards must be met.

What is Bow Top Fencing?

Bow Top fencing gets its name from the smooth, rounded arch or ‘bow’ tops that protrude above the top rail. This classic design is more than decorative; it eliminates sharp edges and reduces climbing hazards, making it ideal for areas where public safety is a concern. Bow Top fencing is also referred to by other names such as Hairpin Fencing, Hoop Top Fencing, and Loop Top Fencing, all describing the same curved profile that defines this railing style.

The style dates back decades and was traditionally crafted from wrought iron or flat bar steel. Our modern manufacturing methods have improved its durability and versatility while retaining the gentle, welcoming lines that made it popular in the first place.

Common Applications of Bow Top Fencing

Bow Top railings are commonly found installed in public places where both safety and appearance matter. Parks, schools, care homes, leisure facilities, and residential complexes often use this fencing type to provide secure boundaries without appearing harsh or industrial.

Public Parks and Spaces

In open spaces, Bow Top fencing helps define walkways, protect flower beds, and separate pedestrian areas from roads or cycle paths. Its curved tops are pedestrian-friendly and less likely to injure someone if they trip or fall near or onto the fence.

Schools and Nurseries

Schools use Bow Top fencing to delineate boundaries, separate different play zones, and enhance site security. Around nurseries and early years’ facilities, safety becomes paramount. In these areas and at lower heights, a specialised form of Bow Top fencing - Anti-Trap Bow Top - is essential.

Playgrounds within Parks

Play areas that attract younger children also need additional safety considerations. Low fencing might seem safe due to its height, but without proper design, it can become a hazard. Specially designed playground fencing like Anti-Trap Bow Top should be specified.

What is Anti-Trap Bow Top Fencing?

Anti-Trap Bow Top fencing is a specialised version of traditional Bow Top railings. While it retains the arched top design, it is engineered with wider gaps between the bows above the top rail, where heads and limbs could become trapped.

This is especially important in low-height installations near young children, such as play areas, school playgrounds, and nursery outdoor spaces. The bows in anti-trap versions are spaced in such a way that heads and limbs cannot get caught. This design complies with RoSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) and BS EN 1176 requirements, ensuring maximum safety in high-risk areas.

Installing regular Bow Top railings in these settings could create entrapment risks, so Anti-Trap models are not just a recommendation, they're often a requirement.

Double Bow Top Fencing

Double Bow Top fencing or Interlaced Bow Top fencing is a variation where the arches cross over each other to form a more elaborate design and traditional design. While it might seem visually appealing, we do not offer or recommend Double Bow Top fencing. The intersecting bows create pockets and potential pinch points; the sort of hazard that standard and Anti-Trap Bow Top fencing are designed to avoid.

Since Bow Top railings are predominantly used in public-facing environments where safety is key; the risk of injury from entrapment in a Double Bow Top design outweighs any aesthetic benefit. For this reason, it’s not a part of our product line.

Construction and Materials

Bow top railings are available in several different material finishes, but not all are created equal. Our bow top fencing styles are made from galvanised tubular steel, a modern, high strength material that provides excellent durability while being lightweight for easier handling and installation.

Tubular steel offers several benefits:

It is stronger and lighter than solid bar alternatives.

It resists corrosion better than flat bar versions.

It maintains a cleaner, more contemporary look over time.

Rather than requiring regular painting, our tubular steel railings can be polyester powder coated, providing a durable finish that resists chipping, weathering, and rust. This makes them virtually maintenance free, a major advantage in public environments where ongoing upkeep is costly and inconvenient. In addition, they’re provided with our market leading 25 year Service Life Guarantee.

Connection and Assembly

We understand that security and aesthetics go hand-in-hand, especially in public installations. That’s why our metal railings use concealed panel-to-post connectors which offer a sleek and tamper-resistant join between each section of fencing. This not only improves the look of the installed system but also increases safety by eliminating external bolts or screws that could catch on clothing or skin. Concealed fixings also prevent innocent (through boredom) or malicious tampering.

Additionally, all our Bow Top metal railings feature welded pale-through-rail construction. This means that each vertical bar (or pale) is welded directly through the horizontal rail, increasing strength and rigidity across the entire panel. It also prevents twisting and sagging over time, even under heavy public use.

Bow Top fencing remains one of the most trusted fencing types for public spaces across the UK, thanks to its balance of visual appeal, safety, and robustness. Whether you’re outlining a quiet community park or securing a bustling primary school’s play area, the right type of Bow Top railing makes all the difference.

Understanding the differences - particularly the importance of Anti-Trap designs and the risks posed by Double Bow Top variants - can help ensure the safety and satisfaction of everyone who interacts with your space.

Our Bow Top and Anti-Trap Bow Top railings are available to purchase online. With welded construction, secure concealed connections, and safety-first design, our railings are engineered for real-world use in today’s most demanding environments.

To find out more about Jacksons Fencing’s bow top railing solutions, get in touch today.