Chain link is widely used to enclose commercial and residential properties because of its durability and affordability. Its effectiveness for pet containment and security are just a couple of its benefits. Another benefit is the ease of installation.
More Chain Link Fence Installation Help:
Recommended Tools
- Tape measure
- Fence stretcher
- Stakes
- Pliers
- Hacksaw
- Post hole digger or power auger
- Carpenter’s level
- Crescent wrench
- Trowel
As you will see in the steps below, chain link fences are a project that some experienced DIYers can pull off.
Materials
- Concrete
- Chalk line
- Stakes
- Chain link fabric
- Find Your Boundary Lines
Your fence posts should be at least 4″ inside of the lines or the footings may go over into the next property. - Measure the Length
Measure the boundary of the space you want to enclose to determine how much fencing fabric and top rail you will need. - Mark the Places for Terminal Posts
Place a stake at the point of each corner end. Remember that the measurements already include clearance for gate hinges and latches so that the opening for a gate should be measured according to the manufacturer’s directions. - Dig Terminal Post Holes
These should be roughly 30 inches deep and about 8 inches in diameter. - Mark Ground Line on Posts
The above-ground height of your posts should be the height of the fabric plus 2 inches. Terminal posts should be the height of the chain link fabric plus two inches. - Center the Terminal Posts
Place them in the holes and check them for plumbness. Hold them in place with braces and clamps then pour the concrete into the holes and finish it with a trowel. You should make sure that the concrete has a downward slope to direct water away from the base of the posts. - Run String Line
Once the concrete post footings have cured (this will take 24-48 hours) run a string line between the terminal posts. The line should be 4 inches from the top and on the outside of the posts. - Install Line Posts
You will want to set your line posts about 1/4-1/8 inch behind the string line since the diameters will be different from those of the terminal posts. As with the terminal posts, you will want to pour concrete into the holes and stick your posts. Plumb them and let the concrete cure. - Install Your Fittings
These include tension bands (with the flat side of the band facing the fabric side of the fence), rail end bands and post caps. Use your crescent wrench to tighten the bands in place. On corner posts, you will want to install a second set of tension bands. Install line post tops making sure that they are offset toward the fabric side of the fence. - Install Top Rails
Run a length of top rail through the line post top that is closest to a terminal post. Attach the end of the top rail to a terminal post using a rail end band. Then continue to add top rails sliding each rail over the narrow end of the next. - Install Fabric
Unroll chain link fabric on the ground on the outside of the fence line. Stand it up against the frame and move along it taking up slack in the fabric. Hold in place with wire ties then run a tension bar through the row of loops about three feet from the first terminal post and attach to the fence stretcher. Pull the fabric tight. Run a tension bar through the loops at the end of the fabric and attach to the tension bands on the terminal post. Secure the fabric to the line posts with wire ties.
