Installation Instructions of Chain Link Fence

• Mark the exact locations where you want to determine the corners, doors and end posts with a spray paint.
• Measure the total length between the end posts.

• Chain Link Fence: Its mesh is made of galvanized wire, PVC coated wire and other materials.
• Top Rail: It runs along the top of the posts. Use the same horizontal linear footage of this as you will for the entire fence.
• End Post & Corner Post & Gate Post & Intermediate Post: They add support and rigidity to the chain link fence. Use one for each end and intermediate of the fence, at each corner. Use two for each gate opening to support the top rail and chain link fence.
• End Post Cap: It is also called a "terminal cap". Use one of these for each end post.
• Intermediate Post Cap: Use one of these for each intermediate post.
• Tension Bar: It is a vertical bar woven into the ends of the fence at each end post, gate post and corner.
• Tension Bands: They hold the tension bars.
• Fence Ties: They tie the chain link fence to the top rail and posts.
• Tension Wires: They add rigidity to the bottom of the chain link fence. Use the same horizontal linear footage of this as you will for the entire fence.

• Dig end post holes at the marked locations.
• The width of the holes should be three times wider than the post diameter. Slope the hole sides so that the hole is wider at the bottom than at the top.
• The depth of the hole should be 1/3 of post height above ground.
• Put in posts.

You can choose to stabilize the foundation with concrete and gravel or stone and earth.

• Concrete & Gravel: For best results fill the holes with 4 inches of gravel and pat it down so that it is compact. Pour 150 mm (6 inches) concrete on top. Then put the posts into the wet concrete and allow at least 1 day for the concrete to set. Fill the rest of the hole with gravel.
• Stones & Earth: Put the post in the middle of the hole then fill the hole full of large stones to hold the post in place. Then add earth until tight and compact.

Use a carpenter's level or plumb line to check the balance. This is important otherwise your fence will not be straight.

Intermediate posts will be required for longer stretches of fence. (Using the example of a 9 m chain link fence)

• Pull string tightly to avoid its sagging or moving with the wind and causing the post to be set incorrectly. Keep in mind, the fence can only be as straight as the string.
• The height of the intermediate posts should be 50 mm (2 inches) taller than the height of the mesh so that you have a small gap at the bottom of the fence once it has been installed.

Mark the intermediate post position, which is commonly 3 meters between the corner posts. And then install the intermediate posts, the installation method is same as the end post installation (Step 2)

Tension bands quantity varies depending on the fence height and posts types.

• For Intermediate/End Posts: One less tension band than the height of the fence, in feet. For example,
  4 feet high fence = 3 tension bands
  5 feet high fence = 4 tension bands
  6 feet high fence = 5 tension bands
• For Gate Posts: the same quantity with intermediate posts.
• For Corner posts: Double the quantity of intermediate posts.

It is used to fasten the top and bottom rail onto posts and the quantity varies depending on the post types.

• 2 pieces for each end post
• 2 pieces for each gate post
• 4 pieces for each corner post

It is used to fasten the rail ends onto posts and 1 piece is needed for each rail end.

Drive caps onto the posts with a mallet. Put the posts in their holes.

• Caps with loops for middle posts (allows the rail to go through)
• Caps without loops for end posts
• Start to tighten all nuts and bolts but leave some slack to allow for adjustments later.

After installing the end posts and the intermediate posts and capping them, start installing the top rail and the bottom rail.

• Push the top rails through the loops in the caps.
• Push opposite ends together to make the top rails attach to each other.
• Cut long top rails with a hacksaw.
• Fasten all nuts and bolts, once the top rails are in place.
• Install the bottom rail in the same method.

Start from one of your end posts and unroll your mesh along the length of your fence.

Slide a tension bar vertically through the starting end of the mesh roll. This will stiffen the mesh so that you can attach it to the fence posts and rails.

Fasten the tension bar to the end posts' tension bands. The mesh should overlap the rail by 250 to 500 mm and be about 50 mm (2 inches) off the ground.

Pull the mesh roll tight along the length of the fence removing any slack. At this point you only need to remove slack, you are not permanently tightening the fence yet.

Add a few wire fence ties to attach the mesh to the top rail to fasten them tightly.

Add a few wire fence ties to attach the mesh to the top rail to fasten them tightly.

• Chain link fence fabric must be pulled tightly or it will sag. You can do this using a fence puller and stretcher bar.
• Insert a temporary tension bar of the corner post or end post you are going to end the mesh on.
• Hook the stretcher bar to it.
• Crank the fence puller until the loops of the mesh move no more than 1/4 inch when you squeeze them together.

To remove the excess mesh between the tension bars and end post, open a loop at the top and bottom. Twist and pull the strand free.

Drive caps onto the posts with a mallet. Put the posts in their holes.

• Weave the permanent tension bar through the mesh and tension bands attached to the remaining end post.
• Then tighten the nuts and bolts of tension band.
• Then remove the temporary tension band.

• Secure the mesh to the top rail and posts with fence ties.
• Space your ties as follows (this doesn’t need to be exact).
  • 60 cm (24 inches) along the rails
  • 30 cm (12 inches) on the posts

If the fence is particularly long, particularly high or if there is a lot of pressure from wind or other environmental factors. It's better to add the tension wire in the middle of a chain link fence to provide additional support and stability.