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How Tall Is Chain Link Fence? 

When it comes to how tall is chain link fence, there’s no “one size fits all.” Variations in height, gauge, finish, and other factors create a range of looks and levels of security. In the end, what you choose will depend on your purposes and budget. 

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The first step in determining how tall your chain link fence will be is to calculate the linear footage of your property’s perimeter. This measurement will be used to determine the amount of mesh and top rail you’ll need. You’ll also need to identify how many gates you’d like and how high you’d like them. 

Add up the numbers to get an overall cost for your project. This includes the costs of posts, mesh and top rails, and any privacy elements. It will also include the cost of labor for the installation, which can be as simple as a DIY-inclined homeowner or as complex as hiring a professional team. 

Posts: Most chain link fences are installed with metal posts, although wood, vinyl, and concrete posts can be used as well. Prices vary depending on the height, thickness, type, and gauge of the metal. The cost of metal posts will be higher than wood or vinyl posts, but they’ll last longer and are more sturdy. 

Dig Post Holes: Use a post hole digger or two-person auger to dig the holes for your chain link fence posts. These holes should be three times wider than the post’s diameter for corner and end posts, and six to eight inches wide for line posts. The post holes should be set at the correct height above the ground level for your fence fabric, which is about 2-inches above the ground. 

Place the post in the hole, then pour the wet concrete mix around it until it’s flush with the surrounding soil and the top of the post is in plumb with the string. Repeat this process for each post in the fence. Make sure to leave enough room between the corners and gate posts so that a come-along cable puller can fit in between them. 

Install the Mesh and Top Rails: After setting your posts, it’s time to install the chain link fence fabric. The mesh and top rails are made of galvanized or vinyl-coated steel wires woven into diamond patterns to create the chain link fence’s unique appearance. 

After threading the chain link mesh into each of your fence’s posts, secure each of them with a tension bar that goes through the end of the fabric at both ends. Weave the tension bar through the mesh at one end of the fence and then into the tension band on the other. The tension bars provide a rigid end to the mesh and help it stand up. 

Stretch the Mesh: The mesh in your chain link fence must be pulled taught to keep it from sagging and to keep it from tangling with other parts of the fencing or landscaping. You’ll need a come-along cable puller winch and a stretcher bar to accomplish this.