In this post, our Colorado fence company experts give you the skinny on chain-link fence materials and design considerations.
If you need to keep pets and children safe in your yard, a chain-link fence is the best solution. This type of fence also keeps out unwanted pests and creatures, which depending on where you live in Colorado Springs can range from raccoons to deer. Sometimes called a hurricane or cyclone fence, chain link fences are ideal for home use.
As a leading Colorado Springs fence company here are the things we make sure every homeowner understands about chain link fence installation.
There are three main kinds of wire used:
Aluminum – This is a material that’s resistant to corrosion. It’s also lightweight and capable of withstanding poor weather conditions. It has a zinc coating, which makes it long-lasting and low maintenance.
Stainless Steel – These fences are extremely strong. Stainless steel is very resistant to high temperatures, poor weather, and alkali. It’s also unlikely to roll, sag, or break which allows it to keep its shape for extended periods. It offers the highest performance of all chain link fences.
Galvanized – These are sometimes called zinc coated fences. They are long-lasting, with a lifespan of around 12 years. Galvanized fences are also maintenance-free, making them ideal for residential properties. There are two ways to make galvanized fences. The manufacturer can either galvanize it after being woven or before.
When you choose your chain link fencing, you’ll need to consider three main sizes:
Height – The majority of chain link meshes come in heights from 3 feet up to 12 feet. Generally, they also come in rolls of 50 feet.
Gauze – The gauze size can range from 6 to 13. The average size of the gauze is 11. A lower gauge number means the mesh is thicker. The thickest and heaviest gauze size is 6. The thinnest and lightest is size 13.
Mesh – You can find your mesh size by measuring the diagonal interior squares’ diameter. Typically, the mesh size will be 2 inches. This equates to a wire gauge of size 11 or 9. A mesh size of 2.25 inches, however, tends to have a gauge size of 11.5 and will be thinner.
Usually, a heavier chain link fence wire will be more costly than a thinner or higher gauze wire. It’s important, though, not to try to cut costs here. If you choose a fence that’s too light, it could be more easily damaged, especially with the hail storms we get in Colorado Springs. So, although you may be saving money upfront in material, you will end up spending much more later by having to replace a broken fence.
While stainless steel fences are very strong, you should remember this wire is difficult to stretch. Stainless steel also involves some ongoing maintenance. If you want a low maintenance solution, you should choose a different material.
The mesh or grid size you require will depend on why you’re using the fence. A smaller mesh size will make the fence more durable since it will contain more metal. Industrial fencing that is high security needs a mesh size of 0.62 inches to 0.38 inches.
However, residential fencing can have a much larger mesh size. The ideal size is 2.38 inches. If you’re enclosing a pool, though, you may wish to choose a mid-size mesh, such as 1 inch to 1.75 inches. Or, if you are wanting more privacy, consider a wood or vinyl fence.
If you’re ready to choose and install the right chain link fence for you, call Blicks Fencing today. We’re looking forward to helping you to make your property more secure and more attractive.
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