Installing Chain Link Fence

While chain link fencing may not be the prettiest option avaiable it is certainly one of the cheapest and quickest to install.

To get away from the industrial look of bare chain you can get it vinyl coated in several colors. It also comes in various heights and styles so you can usually find something to suit your garden.

Installing chain link fence is a 2 man job but doesn't require any special skills or tools. It's always best to draw out a plan on paper so you can work out what's required from the suppliers.

Corner posts are different to line posts so count up your corners and then work out how many line posts you will need spaced at 8ft apart.

Also count up the caps required for your posts. Corners again are different to lines as they have either 1 or 2 openings to allow the top rails to be fitted.

As well as caps, each line post needs a stretching bar while corners require 2. You will also need a pack or two of wire ties depending on how long your fence will be. Your hardware supplier will advise how many packs you will need.

Top rails usually come in 10ft lengths so you can work out how many your are going to require from the suppliers. Your chain link fencing comes in rolls of 50ft, 100ft and 200ft and if possible get a roll to do the entire fence but if not practicle, it can be joined together by weaving the wire.

Regards height, most come in widths of 3ft up to 8 or even 10ft. Obviously you will require posts to suit your choice of height.

I usually use fast setting post concrete which comes pre-bagged and mixed. You simply tip it in the hole around the foot of the post and then add water.

To get started, stake the corners and run a line of string to mark out the outside edges of where the posts will be and then you can dig out all of your holes.

Depth will depend on the height of your fence but for 8ft I would recommend at least 30 inches while for a 3ft fence about 15inch depending on how solid your ground is. If its soft top soil then obviously you will need to keep digging until you reach solid earth.

While someone holds the post backfill with the post mix concrete and plumb it up. Once happy you can pour in the water as per instructions. If you are using traditional concrete you will need to make sure the post stays plumb while you shovel in the mixed concrete from a wheelbarrow. Keep an eye them while they set.

To keep them in line make sure they just touch up to the line you set out before starting. Each post needs to protrude the same height from the ground. Don't worry about keeping them level across the top as your wire fencing will be following the ground.

Once your concrete is completely set (if you used normal concrete mix you should leave it over night) you can finally get started installing chain link fence.

Put the caps on and starting at a corner or end, thread the top rail from end to end through to the next corner post. Once all the top rail is installed fit the bottom wire from corner to corner getting it as tight as possible and then fix it to the line posts with wire ties.

Get your roll of chain link and lace a stretching bar into the end and fix it tothe corner post with wire. Unroll the fencing along the outside of your posts and take it around the next corner post. Weave in another stretch bar a foot or so short of the corner post and then get the fencing as tight as possible.

When it is as tight as you want it, wire it in place before releasing the tension. Remove the wire just beyond the stretching bar to leave just the right amount of fabric in place.

Repeat for all sides of your garden and then attach the chain link to the top rail, line posts and bottom wire with ties. Its best to have the fence bottom touching the ground or if you prefer you can dig a small trench to have the bottom burried into the ground.

Side Note: You may want to consider hiring an Auger to dig out your fence post holes as demonstrated in the video below.