Chain Link Fencing
What you should know
Attractive, versatile and creative - a chain-link fence system can be an excellent choice. With the right fence you can expect years of protection, privacy and value. But as with any investment, it pays to do your homework. Chain-link fencing comes in a wide range of qualities, colors, sizes and types. Before you buy, spend a little time getting to know what's currently available. That way, you'll get the most value for your money and the right fence for your needs.
All chain-link fences aren't the same
Chain-link has four elements: fabric, framework, fittings and gates. How you combine them makes all the difference. Each of these components are available in a range of weights (gauges) and types of protective coatings. Providers can mix and match components in an effort to shave costs or differentiate their product. Our minimum recommendations will typically follow the minimum practices defined by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). The most common coating is zinc (galvanized), but you'll also find chain-link components with vinyl or polyester color coatings in addition to zinc. These color treatments enhance landscaping and blend naturally with trees, shrubs and bushes. They'll also give you even more protection against corrosion or rust.
Some just can't handle residential wear and tear
A light chain-link system can't take much abuse. The framework may bend easily, the fabric may distort and animals may easily damage it. Even common occurrences, such as a person climbing or sitting on the fence, a heavy wind blowing debris against it or a dog jumping on it may cause damage. Inferior coatings may also allow the components to rust prematurely. Fence manufacturers make products for many different uses-including lightweight, temporary needs. Consumers sometimes buy fencing like this because of its lower price, or because they don't understand that all fencing is not the same. The result-a "permanent installation" made from materials that weren't designed for longevity.
How to choose a chain-link fabric
Select your chain-link fence fabric based on these three criteria: gauge of wire, size of mesh and type of protective coating.
Check the gauge Gauge (ga.) or diameter of wire is one of the most important factors- it helps tells you how much steel is actually in the fabric. The smaller the gauge number, the more steel, the higher the quality and the stronger the wire. From lightest to heaviest, common gauges are 13, 12-1/2 , 11-1/2, 11, 9 and 6. Unless you are building a temporary fence, we recommend fencing between 11-1/2 and 9 gauge. 6 gauge is typically for heavy industrial or specialized uses and the lighter gauges are best suited for temporary fencing.
Measure the mesh Mesh size tells you how far apart the parallel wires are in the mesh. And that's another indication of how much steel is in the product. The smaller the diamond, the more steel is in the fabric. From largest to smallest, typical mesh sizes are 2-3/8", 2-1/4" and 2". Smaller meshes such as 1-3/4" for tennis courts, 1-1/4" for pools and high-security mini meshes of 5/8", 1/2" and 3/8" are also available.
Consider the coating Several types of surface treatments help protect and beautify steel chain-link fabric.
- The most common protective coating for chain-link fabric is zinc. Zinc is a self-sacrificing element. In other words, it dissipates while protecting the steel. It also offers cathodic protection which means that if the wire is cut, it "heals" the exposed surface by developing a white oxidation layer that prevents red rust. Typically, galvanized chain-link fabric has a 1.2-ounce per square foot coating. For specification projects requiring greater degrees of longevity, 2-ounce zinc coatings are available. The longevity of the protective coating is directly related to amount of zinc that is applied.
- There are two primary ways that chain-link fabric is galvanized (coated with zinc). The most common is Galvanized After Weaving (GAW) where the steel wire is formed into chain-link fabric first and then galvanized. The alternative is Galvanized Before Weaving (GBW) where the strand of wire is galvanized before being formed into the mesh. There is some debate over which is the best method. GAW ensures that all of the wire is coated, even the cut ends, and galvanizing the wire after it is formed also tends to increase the tensile strength of the finished product. GAW is typically the method of choice for the larger manufacturers, since it requires a higher level of manufacturing expertise and capital investment than simply weaving the wire, and it yields efficiencies only available with this method. GBW is a good product, provided it has a comparable diamond size, weight of zinc coating, gauge and tensile strength.
- You'll also find aluminum-coated (aluminized) wire on the market. Aluminum differs from zinc in that it is a barrier coating rather than a sacrificial coating and as a result cut ends, scratches, or other imperfections are prone to red rusting in a short period of time. Aluminized is best suited where esthetics is less important than structural integrity. Another metallic coating sold under various trade names such as Galvinal(TM), Bezinal(R) or Galfan(TM) uses a combination zinc-and-aluminum, uniting the cathodic protection of zinc with the barrier protection of aluminum.
- Want color? Look for polyvinyl chloride applied in addition to the zinc coating. This provides a second kind of corrosion protection and blends aesthetically with the environment. These color coatings come in three principle coating methods:
- Extruded - the vinyl jacket encompasses the steel core - suitable for most residential/light commercial applications
- Extruded bonded - an adhesive bonds the vinyl jacket to the core wire
- Thermally fused - the vinyl coating is fused to the galvanized steel core - suitable for all applications
- Be sure that you understand both the gauge of the finished product and of the steel core wire. A product that is produced in an 11 gauge finished diameter which, with most coating processes, means that the steel core is very light - not recommended for normal installations of 1-3/4" to 2-3/8" diamond size mesh.
Fittings hold it all together
You know a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. The same applies to a chain-link fence. All steel fittings such as bands, tension bars, nuts and bolts, and gate hardware must be hot-dip galvanized to prevent corrosion with similar coatings as with the framework and fabric. Some items such as rail ends and eye tops are made from die-cast aluminum as well as galvanized steel. Gate hardware is very important since it affects the operation of the only moving part of the fence. The pintel in the post hinge and receiver of the gate frame hinge must be perfectly round so the gate hangs correctly and doesn't sag. Tie wires should be made from aluminum or galvanized steel. Fittings must be designed for attractive form, good fit, and sound functioning. While there are ASTM specifications on fittings, this is an area that has not been as fully addressed by the industry as it needs to be. The result is that there are a lot of what we consider to be sub-standard fittings in the marketplace. Your best assurance is to look for a full system warranty from a reputable manufacturer. One small part rusting can cause unsightly staining on large areas of your fence.