What Gauge Chain Link Fence Is Best?
Shopping for fences is a real eye-opener. Most of us don’t think about fences much, if at all until we start trying to find out prices and information for a fence project.
Suddenly, something that used to just fade into the background becomes a whole lot more complicated than you ever imagined. While you’re exploring your fence options, you might be wondering what gauge chain link fence is best. Here’s what you need to know.
What Is Chain Link Fence Gauge?
When you get a quote for a chain link fence, it will tell you exactly what type of chain link mesh you will get.
The specification you are provided will include the aperture size, such as 2 x 2” or 50 x 50mm, and it will state how tall the fence will be. It will also tell you what finish your fence will have, and if it’s going to use PVC-coated chain link mesh, it will tell you what color the coating will be.
Finally, there’s the gauge of the chain link fence, or as it might be known, the wire diameter.
Chain link fence gauge is a figure that is used to tell you how thick the wire your chain link mesh is manufactured from is. The higher this number – like 11 gauge as opposed to 6 gauge – the thinner the wire is.
wire gauge can be quite confusing if you’re not a fence professional, which is why some countries now use wire diameter instead.
So Which Gauge of Chain Link Fence Is Best?
You might be hoping for a simple answer to the question of what gauge chain link fence is best, but the truth is, there’s no one size fits all answer. Like most things related to fence specifications and pricing, there are several different things to consider. Let’s look at some of the key factors you want to think about are.
Best Chain Link Gauge If Budget Is Most Important
If you are looking for the cheapest type of chain link fence you can get, then the best chain link gauge is the one that uses less steel in the manufacturing process.
Usually, in the chain link world, that means you will be looking at 11 gauge chain link mesh, which is the lightest commercially available gauge, and which is often used for residential fences.
This kind of chain link fence is not very strong, but as long as you don’t need a fence that will be as strong and durable as possible, it’s a great option. An 11 gauge chain link fence will usually be able to keep dogs and kids in your yard and unwanted animal visitors out!
Best Chain Link Gauge If Security Is Most Important
If you are sure that you want a chain link fence for your high-security fence project, then the best gauge to choose is one that uses the most steel out of all the options. This usually means you will want 6 gauge chain link mesh.
To increase the security of your chain link fence, you might also want to consider going to a smaller mesh aperture size, which again increases the amount of metal per square foot of your fence.
Best Chain Link Gauge If You Want the Best of Both Worlds
If you’re installing a commercial chain link fence, and you want something that’s a little stronger than a residential chain link fence, but you don’t want to break the bank, 9 gauge chain link fabric is a good middle-of-the-road option.
Ask Questions and Weigh Your Options
As with any decision about any type of fence, choosing the right gauge of chain link fence for your fence project is often trickier than it seems.
The best thing you can do when you’re not sure what is best for your fence is to ask a lot of questions and possibly get quotes for all the different options on offer. The more information you have, the better equipped you will be to make the right choices.
