What Materials Are Used to Build a Chain Link Fence?

The Chain-Link Fence Mesh

The fence mesh composes the main “body” of the fence and is the primary component that prevents unwanted elements from entering the premises. It is composed of steel, which is what makes the fence highly durable.

It can appear as “naked” galvanized steel or with a coat of black or green PVC. While the most evident contribution of a PVC coating is the color, it also serves as a protective layer that helps prevent scratches, rust, corrosion, and other forms of damage.

The Posts

The posts are the legs that keep the fence standing. There are two types of posts used in a chain-link fence: the corner posts and the line posts.  Corner posts, also called terminal posts, are thick steel rods that make up the corners of the fence. Line posts, on the other hand, are shorter than the former and arranged at intervals of 5 to 6 meters between corner posts. 

The Cement

The cement will form the foundation to keep your fence standing against external forces. All of the post holes need to be filled in with cement to allow them to settle in securely to the ground.

Read more: Should All Fence Post Be Set in Cement?

The Tie Wires

Simply put, tie wires are contraptions that attach to the fence mesh. They loop around the line post to keep the mesh from pulling away.

The Tension Bars

Tension bars are steel bars connected to the corner post through tension bands. They weave through the edges of the fence mesh and are used to give it some rigidity. 

The Tension Band

Tension bands are the loops of steel that connect the tension bar to the corner post. These can be tightened to pull the bar and post closer, which then adds more tension and rigidity to the fence mesh.

The Tension Wire

The tension wire is a ground-level steel line that runs from one corner post to the other. It reduces wobbling and adds more force to keep the fence mesh tight.

The Top Rail

The top rails are steel rods that connect one corner post to another. These go on top of the wire mesh and are supported by the line posts. This component gives the entire fence even more support and structural form to remain stable.

The Rail Caps

Rail caps are the components that allow the top rail to connect securely and snugly with the corner and line posts. There are two types of rail caps: loop caps and rail ends.

Loop caps go on the tip of line posts and have a loop of steel that allows the top rail to fit through. The rail ends, on the other hand, go on the ends of the top rail and have a steel ring that allows the corner post to fit through.

My Chain Link Fence is Broken—Should I Repair or Replace It?

As stated, chain link fences are quite durable, but they do get damaged over time, just like any other material. When that happens, it's up to you to make the call on whether to replace or repair it. The answer largely depends on several factors, the most important of which is the extent of the damage.

Smaller damages, such as breaks in the mesh or minor discoloration, can be dealt with through simple repairs.  Here is a guide that discusses a few possible chain link fence repairs for the simplest of damages.

As the damages grow and multiply, so do the repair costs. The Spruce indicates that the price of installing can be anywhere from $15 to $40 per linear foot, depending on the amount of support needed and the specifications of the materials used. As such, if your repair costs go beyond that, then it may be better to replace the entire section instead. Freedom Fence is a trusted company for chain-link installations and repairs.

Conclusion

Chain link fences are simple structures that do an excellent job at securing a property.  Their components include the mesh, various types of posts and caps, tension wires, and bands just to name a few. Each component plays a key role in maintaining the fence's structural integrity.