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Metal mesh is the simplest fence option; it is easy to transport, not difficult to install, its cost is low, and with proper care it lasts a very long time. Before installing a chain-link fence, it is recommended to properly prepare the area, select tools and learn some of the intricacies of installation.
Chainlink fencing
Grid selection
The range of chain link is wide; it differs in cell size, appearance, and width of the canvas. It is made of black and galvanized wire, which is often coated with polymers. The width of the mesh corresponds to the height of the fence, which means you need to choose a chain-link taking into account the height of the fence. The mesh sizes matter if the fence is intended to enclose poultry. In all other cases they do not play a special role.
The most important criterion for selection is the type of wire that makes up the mesh. Ordinary black wire, not treated with polymers, quickly becomes unusable. After rain, the mesh becomes covered with rust, and it is no longer possible to avoid corrosion of the material. Such mesh is usually purchased for temporary fencing, since its cost is the lowest. To extend the service life of a chain-link made of black wire, you can paint it yourself or treat it with anti-corrosion compounds.
Galvanized mesh
Galvanized wire is much more durable, more aesthetically pleasing in appearance, but also more expensive. A mesh made from it can last twenty years, or even more. If you plan to install a fence for a long time, you need to purchase galvanized mesh; saving here is not advisable.
Advantages and disadvantages
Of all types of fences, chain-link is considered the cheapest. The only thing that might be cheaper is a fence made of woven branches. Otherwise, experts highlight the following advantages of the material:
- mesh fencing can withstand heavy loads, but wooden fences cannot boast of this feature;
- high temperatures, mechanical damage and moisture are no obstacle to a mesh fence;
- there is no need to build a massive foundation, since the material is light in weight;
- there is no need for repairs or maintenance;
- the chain-link has high light transmission, therefore, shaded areas do not form at the borders of the country yard;
- the material is available to everyone and can be purchased in every store for construction and repair;
- there is a large selection of materials;
- Installation of the fence by specialists takes one day.
In addition to the positive aspects, there are also disadvantages. A chain-link fence has few disadvantages, and all of them are minor. These include:
- the fence needs to be painted;
- unpresentable appearance;
- easy to view.
Some cottage owners use such a fence for temporary fencing of the site. And when all the main work is completed, this fence is replaced by another fence, which can be made of stone or metal. In any case, the chain-link will help prevent animals from entering your own territory.
Preparation of materials
When arranging a mesh fence you will need:
- Rabitz;
- wire for fastening;
- support pillars.
With wire and chain-link everything is simple, but the poles need to be selected separately. A variety of supports can be used for this fence: concrete posts, wooden beams, metal pipes, channels. Since mesh is a lightweight material, the supports do not need to be too large. Wooden supports are much cheaper than metal ones, but their service life is shorter. Additional processing is required to install them. If ordinary poles are used, they must be cleared of bark, dried and painted. The part of the support intended for deepening should be treated with bitumen mastic.
Iron pillars also need preparation. Of course, you can take ready-made supports with hooks, but it’s more economical to make them yourself. Any metal pipes are suitable here; Small hooks are welded to them, thoroughly sanded, degreased, and coated with an anti-corrosion primer. After drying, a thick layer of paint is applied over the primer, and the lower part is treated with mastic. You also need to prepare a plug for each pipe.
Profile pillars
Concrete pillars require the least amount of work: they are resistant to dampness, do not rust, and withstand any conditions well. They do not need special treatment, and their service life is much longer.
Painting the fence
In order to increase the service life of the fence, you need to know how to paint the chain-link mesh on the fence. There are several ways to solve this problem.
Painting with a brush
This is a fairly economical method, although its implementation will require a lot of effort and time. If you work carefully, the amount of paint spilled will be insignificant.
The easiest way to paint
Using a mitten
This is a rather interesting method that is highly effective. It consists of dipping an inverted fur mitten into paint and using it as a brush. To protect the skin on your hands, you should use thin rubber gloves. It is important to know that a high percentage of solvent in the paint can react chemically with the glove material. This method is most successful when using oil paints.
Painting using a spray gun
Using this method, the mesh will be painted in an even layer in record time. In this case, the jet should be kept at an angle of 45°, which is quite difficult. Also, the disadvantages include the unreasonably high consumption of paint.
Painting with a roller
This technology is considered the most optimal, especially if two people paint the mesh on both sides at the same time. For the most uniform coverage, you should choose a roller with a longer pile.
It is also worth considering that before painting you should remove the rust and cover the surface with a primer.
Marking for the fence
Before installing a chain-link fence, you need to make markings. First, determine the location of the corner post, marking it with a piece of rod. Next, mark the second corner and connect the rods in a straight line with a rope. This is how the entire perimeter of the future fence is marked, and the amount of materials is calculated from it. As a standard, the mesh is sold in rolls of 10 meters, so the perimeter is simply divided by 10. The number of posts is also easy to calculate: the spans of the fence are 2 meters, which means the supports should be at the same distance. One roll of mesh will require approximately five supports.
Installation process
Chain-link mesh is mainly installed using the tension method, which is faster and less labor-intensive compared to fastening mesh sections. The standard span width is 2.5 m, the fence height is 1–2 meters.
Fixation model
Installation of support posts begins with marking the intermediate step between the columns. First, mark the area for the corner posts. This procedure is carried out using pegs that need to be driven into the ground. Then a rope or fishing line is pulled between them. Next, the width of the span is fixed and a well is dug under the pillar.
Scheme for calculating the main elements and the order of their installation
The racks are placed in prepared pits and then filled with concrete. Until the solution hardens, the pillars are leveled to the same level. The next stage is attaching the mesh. You can do this in three ways:
- A pre-welded frame structure made of a profile and an angle is fixed on the supports.
- Thick wire is stretched between the posts through the top and bottom edges of the mesh and screwed to the posts with thinner wire.
- To attach the chain-link to the supports, special fastening hooks are welded (either independently or in production).
Next, we will consider in more detail the principle of installing fence supports made of the above materials.
Wire placement diagram
How to install wooden posts
Installation begins with preparing the timber: removing the bark, cutting off the excess piece and adjusting the length. A hole is made in the ground with a depth of 10 cm below freezing of the soil. The part of the product that needs to be dug into the soil is impregnated with an anti-rotting agent or liquid bitumen. The pillars can then be buried.
The mesh is fixed with nails or clamps.
Methods of fixation to wooden elements
Installation of rolled metal support pipes
Metal profile products with welded fastening hooks (either independently or in production) are placed in a dug hole 600–700 mm deep. Then the hole is filled with concrete. The width of the span between the posts is determined by the height of the mesh fence: the higher it is, the smaller the intermediate distance is provided.
Types of installation of supports
How to install asbestos cement pillars
If you install racks made of asbestos cement material correctly, they will last much longer. To avoid distortion, the distance between the pillars is carefully calculated. When installing, take into account the properties of the soil and the amount of wind pressure on the support posts.
Types of concreting of asbestos-cement supports
The base of the pillars is concreted, or the supports are fixed to a reinforcement frame with the obligatory provision of anti-corrosion waterproofing of the well. The mesh is fastened to the posts using wire or special fastening brackets.
Concrete pouring diagram
Installation of plastic support products
Plastic support products are produced in the form of pipes. Due to the lightness of the material, their installation does not require much physical effort. The bottom of the holes dug in the soil under the tubular posts is covered with fine-grained crushed stone. Then the crushed stone cushion is properly compacted. The bases of the installed supports are concreted.
Marking and preparing places for placing plastic supports
Installation of pillars
Since the chain-link has a low weight and low windage, there is no need to deepen the supports too much. It is enough if the pillars are dug in about a meter. Sometimes metal supports are not dug in, but driven into the soil, but this is only justified where the soil is very dense and stable. It is safer to dig in the supports and concrete them. To make holes you need a drill, shoveling takes longer and is more tiring. So, according to the markings, holes are dug 1 meter deep, they should all be located along the same line.
Fence scheme
To prevent the pillars from sagging later, the holes below are filled with a layer of sand, then crushed stone, and compacted. Then the pillars are lowered, leveled, and secured with spacers. A more economical option involves filling the holes with soil and then compacting them, but more often a concrete solution is used. Even heavily compacted soil can settle and erode over time. And the concrete base will remain unchanged for many years. Before pouring the solution, you need to make sure that all the pillars are equal in height and stand vertically. The solution must be poured very carefully, slowly, without leaving any voids. During the filling process, you can pierce the solution several times with a piece of reinforcement or a crowbar - this will help the concrete to be distributed and compacted more evenly.
While the concrete has not hardened, the pillars are checked again with a plumb line: if there are deviations from the vertical, they are immediately eliminated. Further installation can be carried out after the concrete has dried - about two weeks later. The better the concrete stands, the more reliable the support will be.
Mesh attachment
The last point from the instructions on how to install a chain-link fence yourself involves attaching the fence fabric to the posts. Everything is quite simple here. The first roll is placed near the corner post, and the edge of the mesh is secured vertically. The hooks are threaded into the cells and then secured with wire.
Retaining wire
It is advisable to stretch the mesh 15 cm from the soil to protect the bottom of the fence. Next, the roll is transferred, simultaneously unwinding it and tensioning the mesh. The mesh should not sag between the supports, and thick wire or cable is used for this. They are threaded into cells on top of the mesh and secured to supports. The tighter the mesh is stretched, the more aesthetically pleasing the fence looks.
Decorating the fence
Mesh fencing does not shine with attractiveness and design. But the problem can be solved. With the help of some tricks, you can decorate the fence so that it becomes much prettier than a fence made of corrugated board. Several ways to make a chain-link fence beautiful:
- Openwork weaving. Various patterns are created using wire. You can choose easy or complex options, but this will significantly decorate the hedge.
- Landscaping. Climbing plants are planted along the perimeter of the site, which will intertwine between the cells and thereby reduce the visibility of the yard from the street. The hedge is also decorated with pots of flowers. This method is chosen by many summer residents.
- Wire flowers. This will require a lot of wire. Petals and other parts of the flower are bent from pieces of wire. Then the elements are secured using welding. The finished structure is welded to the chain-link.
- Coloring. Even simple painting will improve the appearance of a chain-link fence. As a rule, thin wire is more difficult to paint than, for example, a sheet of metal. Therefore, you need to be patient.
There are many ready-made ways to decorate a chain-link fence, but you can always come up with something of your own and turn your ideas into reality.
