Chain link doesn't get much attention, but it does a lot of work around Shasta County. It keeps dogs in, marks back property lines, closes off equipment yards and lines commercial lots all over town. It's affordable, it lasts for decades and it barely needs any upkeep. On acreage, it holds up to goats and the occasional bump from a tractor far better than lighter wire fencing. It also lets air and light through, which matters in a Redding summer when a solid fence can turn a side yard into an oven. We install a lot of chain link on bigger residential lots in Anderson and around rural properties near Shasta Lake, where a long, practical fence makes more sense than a wall of boards.
Below, we cover when chain link is the right call, what the wire gauge and coating actually mean, how we put it up, and the ways to dress it up if you want more privacy or a cleaner look. Most of our chain link jobs run 4 to 6 feet tall for homes, with taller fences on commercial and industrial sites. If you need a drive gate on the same line, our gates page covers swing and slide options.
When Chain Link Is the Right Call
Chain link is the go-to for jobs where function matters more than looks. Dog runs and pet enclosures are a big one, since dogs can't chew through it and you can see them from the house. Back and side property lines are another, especially on long runs where a privacy fence would cost a lot more.
It's also the standard for commercial and industrial sites. Equipment yards, storage lots, utility areas and job sites all lean on it because it's strong, quick to install and hard to climb at taller heights.
On acreage, chain link works well for garden enclosures and areas around outbuildings. If you need to keep deer out of an orchard or vegetable garden, a taller chain link fence handles it without the sagging you get from lighter wire.
Wire Gauge, Mesh and Coating, Explained
Chain link specs come down to a few numbers. Wire gauge is the thickness of the wire, and lower numbers mean thicker wire. Most residential fences use 11 or 9 gauge. Commercial jobs usually step up to 9 or 6 gauge, which holds up much better to impact and climbing.
Mesh size is the width of each diamond. The standard is 2 inches. Smaller mesh is harder to climb and better for small dogs.
Then there's the coating. Galvanized chain link has a zinc coating that protects the steel from rust and gives it the familiar silver look. Black vinyl-coated chain link adds a layer of PVC over the galvanized wire. It costs more, but it blends into the background, feels smoother and adds another layer of rust protection.
Posts and rails should match. We use galvanized steel framework sized to the fence height.
How We Install Chain Link
We start with the terminal posts: corners, ends and gate posts. These carry the tension of the whole fence, so they get the deepest holes and the most concrete. Line posts go in between at a set spacing, usually up to 10 feet apart.
Once the posts cure, we install the top rail and run a tension wire along the bottom to keep the mesh tight and stop dogs from pushing under it. Then we unroll the mesh, stretch it tight with a come-along and tie it off to the posts and rails.
Getting the tension right is what separates a good chain link fence from a saggy one. On uneven ground, we follow the grade so there are no big gaps underneath.
Privacy Slats and Other Upgrades
Plain chain link isn't private, but it doesn't have to stay that way. Privacy slats slide down through the mesh and block most of the view. They come in several colors, including green and brown that blend in with yard plantings. Slats cut down the wind too, which helps on exposed lots where the north wind blows straight through.
Black vinyl-coated chain link with black posts is the simplest upgrade for looks. From a distance it almost disappears, which makes it a favorite for front and side yards where you want a boundary without a big visual wall.
Other options include a top rail cap, a mow strip along the base to keep weeds down, and wider double gates so you can get a trailer or tractor through.
If you want something more decorative along the front of the property, our aluminum and wrought iron fences give you the same see-through view with a finished look.