Chain Link Fence Installation in Athens, AL
The most affordable way to secure a property line, built with galvanized steel that holds up for years.
- Free on-site estimate, price in writing
- Posts set below the frost line in concrete
- Final walkthrough on every job
Prefer to talk? Call (256) 510-8095
Get your free estimate
We measure at your property and put the price in writing. No charge, no obligation.
Chain link secures a boundary for less money than any other fence we install. It goes up fast and needs almost no upkeep. Galvanized mesh holds up for decades in north Alabama weather, which is why yards, ball fields, storage lots and job sites still run it.
What chain link costs per foot
We price chain link per foot, and it lands well under wood, vinyl and aluminum. What moves the number:
- Height. Four foot covers a standard yard, five and six foot larger yards and dog runs, eight foot and up for commercial and security work.
- Mesh gauge. A lower gauge number means thicker wire and a stronger fence.
- Finish, galvanized against vinyl coated.
- Whether you want a top rail or tension wire alone.
- Terminal posts. Corners, ends and gate posts are heavier and cost more than the line posts between them.
- Gates and how wide they open.
- Privacy slats, if you want them.
Galvanized or black vinyl coated?
Galvanized is the plain silver mesh, the one you picture when somebody says chain link. Zinc protects the steel, it costs the least, and it is the standard for commercial and utility work.
Vinyl coated chain link puts a bonded vinyl jacket over that same steel core, most often black, sometimes green or brown. You pay more per foot and get two things back: a second layer of corrosion protection over the zinc, and a fence that disappears against a treeline instead of catching light. Look onto woods from your back yard and black mesh all but vanishes where silver announces itself.
| Galvanized | Black vinyl coated | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per foot | Lowest | Higher |
| Corrosion protection | Zinc coating | Zinc plus a bonded vinyl jacket |
| Appearance | Silver, catches light | Recedes against trees and planting |
| Where it goes | Commercial, utility, dog runs, tight budgets | Back yards, pool surrounds, anywhere the fence should stay quiet |
Privacy slats for a chain link fence
Slats are vertical strips you thread through the mesh to close the fence off. They are the cheapest route from an open fence to a private one, and they need no rebuilding.
- Bottom locking slats lock into a channel along the bottom, so nobody pushes them up or pulls them out. Expect roughly seventy five to ninety percent closure depending on the profile.
- Top locking slats drop in from above and cost less. They come loose more easily.
- Wing or hedge slats use a wider profile for close to full closure and a softer look.
Slats add wind load. A run that stood fine as open mesh starts catching wind once you slat it, so the posts and footings have to suit the finished fence, not the bare one. Tell us at the estimate if slats are in your plan and we size the footings for them on day one.
Gates
Walk gates run three to four feet wide. Double drive gates cover a driveway, swinging from both sides with a drop rod at the center. Where nothing has room to swing, a cantilever slide gate rolls on rollers mounted beside the opening and needs clear space alongside the run for its counterbalance.
Chain link for commercial and security work
Commercial chain link runs heavier mesh, fatter posts and deeper footings than a residential fence, typically at six to eight feet or taller. Barbed arms go on top where the site calls for them. The commercial fencing page covers the rest.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a chain link fence cost per foot?
Chain link is the lowest cost fence we install. Height, mesh gauge, galvanized or vinyl coated finish, the number of corner and gate posts, and any privacy slats all move the price. We measure your run at the property and put the quote in writing.
Can you add privacy slats to an existing chain link fence?
Yes, if the mesh and posts are sound. Slats add wind load, so on an older fence we check the posts and footings first and tell you straight if they need work before the slats go in.
Is black chain link worth the extra cost over galvanized?
It buys a second corrosion barrier over the zinc and a fence that blends into a treeline instead of catching light. Most back yards facing woods prefer it. For a work yard or ball field, galvanized does the same job for less.
How tall can a chain link fence be in Athens?
The City of Athens generally requires a zoning permit for a fence over six feet or one in a front yard. Confirm the current rules with the Building Department before you order material, and check your HOA separately.
Related: Dog Fencing | Commercial Fencing | Farm Fencing | Gate Installation
How a chain link fencing job runs
Need a property line secured for less?
Call (256) 510-8095 or request a free estimate online.