Galvanized or vinyl-coated
Galvanized chain link is zinc-coated steel, the familiar silver fence. It is the cheapest option and holds up well. Vinyl-coated (usually black, sometimes green) wraps the wire and the posts in a colored coating. It costs more, and it fades into a tree line or lawn instead of standing out, which is why it is chosen for front-facing runs and wooded lots.
Two other numbers on a quote are wire gauge (lower number = thicker wire) and mesh size (the diamond opening). Thicker wire resists dogs and climbing; smaller mesh is harder to climb and is required for some pool barriers.
Heights and uses
| Height | Typical use |
|---|---|
| 3–4 ft | Front yards, gardens, small dogs; within front-yard limits in most local codes |
| 5 ft | Larger dogs, side yards |
| 6 ft | Back lines, security, large dogs; the common backyard limit |
| 8 ft+ | Commercial and industrial lots; see commercial fencing |
Decatur's ordinance lists chain link as an allowed fence material and caps residential front-yard fences at 4 feet. Huntsville and Madison do not require fence permits, but height rules still apply.
What makes a chain link fence last
- Terminal posts. Corner, end and gate posts hold the tension of the whole run. They should be heavier and deeper than line posts and set in concrete.
- Top rail or tension wire. A top rail keeps the fabric from sagging and resists bending; a bottom tension wire keeps dogs from pushing under.
- Post spacing. Line posts too far apart let the fabric belly in wind and when leaned on.
- Gate frames. Wide drive gates need heavy frames and posts, or they sag within a few seasons.
- Grade. Chain link follows rolling ground well, but dips leave gaps under the fabric that need fill or a tension wire.
Privacy slats and add-ons
Slats woven into the diamonds add screening to an existing chain link fence for much less than replacing it with a privacy fence. They block most of the view but not all, and they increase wind load, so they belong on a fence with solid terminal posts. Windscreen fabric does the same job on tennis courts and job sites.
Chain link fence cost
National cost guides put chain link at about $9–$30 per linear foot installed. Height, gauge, vinyl coating and the number of gates move it within that range. Removal of an old fence runs about $3–$8 per linear foot. We found no Huntsville-specific pricing.
Example: 250 feet of 4-foot galvanized chain link at $9–$30 per foot is roughly $2,250–$7,500 before gates. See the fence cost guide for what moves a quote.
Before digging
Chain link posts go in post holes like any other fence, so Alabama 811 has to be notified at least two full working days before digging. Mark the line in white paint so the locators know where to look.
Main guide: fence companies in Huntsville, AL.