Fence Boom vs. Solid Float Boom Comparison - Factory Direct Guide.

When building an oil spill response inventory, one question comes up more than any other: "Should I choose a Fence Boom or a Solid Float Boom?"

Both are made from durable PVC/PU fabrics. Both use foam for buoyancy. Both are effective for containing oil. However, their structural differences make them suitable for very different scenarios.

As an Integrated Solution Provider and manufacturer specializing in oil spill control since 2004, we have helped hundreds of clients—from port operators to emergency response teams—make this choice. In this guide, we break down the pros, cons, and best applications for each design to help you choose the right equipment for your project.

1. The Fence Boom: The "Space-Saver"

What is it? The Fence Boom is a flat, lightweight boom that uses flat rectangular foam floats. It is designed to fold up like an accordion.

The Key Advantage: Compact Storage The biggest selling point of the Fence Boom is storage efficiency. Because it folds flat, you can store significantly more meters of boom in a shipping container, response truck, or storage crate compared to any other type.

Best Applications:

• Emergency Response Trucks: When you need to fit 500m of boom into a small vehicle.
• Calm Waters: Ideal for lakes, ponds, and sheltered harbors.
• Rapid Deployment: It can be deployed directly from the crate/box without inflation or assembly.

2. The Solid Float Boom: The "Durable Workhorse"

What is it? The Solid Float Boom features cylindrical (round) foam floats attached to the top of the skirt. This is the classic "curtain" style boom seen in most harbors.

The Key Advantage: Stability & Seakeeping The cylindrical floats provide higher buoyancy and better roll response in the water. This means the boom sits better in the water when there is light wind or chop, maintaining a consistent freeboard to prevent oil from splashing over.

Best Applications:

• Long-Term Deployment: Perfect for surrounding a vessel during bunkering (refueling) or protecting a water intake for weeks at a time.
• Ports & Jetties: The standard choice for terminal operators.
• Debris Protection: The robust design handles floating debris slightly better than lightweight fence booms.

3.Head-to-Head Comparison

Feature	Fence Boom (Flat)	Solid Float Boom (Round)
Storage Space	Excellent (Folds flat, high density)	Fair (Bulky, takes more space)
Stability in Waves	Good for calm water	Better for light chop/currents
Deployment Speed	Very Fast (Pull and go)	Fast (Unroll and tow)
Maintenance	Easy to clean (flat surfaces)	Standard cleaning required

4. Why Buy From the JXY?

Whether you decide on the Space-Saving Fence Boom or the Stable Solid Float Boom, sourcing directly from us ensures you get the best performance-to-price ratio.

• Customization: We don't just sell standard sizes. We can customize the Freeboard (height above water) and Draft (skirt depth) to match your local water conditions.
• Connector Compatibility: Do you already have booms from another brand? We can fit our booms with ASTM Z, Universal Slide to ensure they attach perfectly to your existing inventory.
• Material Options: Choose between standard PVC (Orange) for visibility and cost, or TPU for extreme cold and high abrasion resistance.

Ready to Upgrade Your Spill Response Inventory?