 | Materials: $3-$15 Per Foot |
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 | With Professional Installation: $5-$35+ Per Square Foot |
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| Also called a cyclone fence, hurricane fence, chain-wire fence or wire netting, chain link is a woven metal grid made with galvanized steel wires, which can be coated with vinyl to add color and protect against rust. The wires are run vertically and bent into a zigzag pattern. Fence heights vary from 3'-12' tall, and common heights for residential use are 3', 4', 5' and 6' tall. Considered an economical fencing material, chain link is categorized by gauge (6-13, with lower numbers indicating greater strength) and mesh size (3/8"-2-3/8", indicating the size of the openings). Gauge 6 is typically used for heavy industrial fences, and 3/8", 1/2" or 5/8" mini-meshes are for high security. | | |
| Typical costs: | - Chain-link fence prices change when the cost of steel fluctuates. Generally, materials for a typical residential chain link fence (2" mesh, 9 or 11 gauge) might cost $3 -$6 a linear foot for 4' high or $8 -$15 a foot for 6' high, depending on whether it's galvanized or vinyl coated. A gate can add $100 -$350 or more, depending on size (walking or driving width), gauge and mesh. Total costs for do-it-yourself installation can be $400 -$2,000 for 100' of fencing (enclosing three sides of a 25'x50' yard) and $1,000 -$5,000 for 300'. DoItYourself.com provides instructions and estimates this moderate-to-difficult project takes two days and $500 -$1,000 for an average home.
- With professional installation, a typical residential chain-link fence can cost $5 -$35 or more a foot for labor and materials, depending on height, type (galvanized or vinyl color coated), gauge and mesh size, or about $600 -$4,000 for 100' and $2,000 -$11,000 for 300' of fencing. Production Fence Works in Georgia estimates average costs with professional installation at $7.99 per foot for a 4' high residential galvanized chain-link fence and $8.99 a foot for 6' high, with a gate adding $130 -$320.
- An 8'-12' tall commercial-grade chain-link fence to enclose a residential tennis or basketball court can cost $15 -$40 or more a foot. For example, Production Fence Works in Georgia estimates average cost for an 8' high, 60'x100' fence around a single tennis court with a single walk-in gate at $9,200.
- Because of its open weave, a chain-link fence is transparent. To make it more opaque, metal, wood or vinyl privacy slats can be woven into the mesh. The slats can be purchased separately, at a cost of $1 -$2 or more per foot of fencing, or a chain link fence with built-in privacy or a fabric screen can cost $6 -$40 a foot ($600 -$4,000 for 100'; $1,800 -$12,000 for 300') depending on the type of materials, whether installation in included, and the height, gauge and mesh of the fence.
What should be included: | - Installation is typically done in two stages, with the post holes dug first and the posts set in concrete. A few days later, after the concrete has hardened, the top rails and post fittings are installed. (A video by S&S Fence in California explains the various parts of a chain-link fence, and why they're needed.) Next the mesh is stretched from post to post and tied in place, then the gate is installed. The Chain Link Fence Manufacturers Institute provides installation instructions, and a homeowner posts a video of a crew installing a residential chain-link fence.
- Before installing any type of fence, call 811 to have utility companies mark any underground utility lines; or contact local utility companies directly. Also check local zoning, building and neighborhood codes; many dictate the height and type of fencing allowed, and property line set-backs required; some residential areas prohibit chain link. AskTheBuilder.com provides a chain link installation checklist.
Shopping for a chain-link fence: | |
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Article updated June 2011 |
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