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Chain Link Fence FAQ

1. What is the main advantage of choosing chainlink?

Chainlink is an popular, attractive and cost effective fence.

2. What are the main purposes of chainlink fences?

A very popular choice for homes with children, dogs or swimming pools - chainlink fence is a maintenance-free fence.

3. What makes Fence-All chainlink different?

  • Fence-All offers the largest selection of chainlink Fence products available.
  • Both our residential and our commercial fence systems have been time tested to offer long-lasting, no-maintenance fencing at affordable prices.
  • Our do-it-yourself chainlink fence systems are all inclusive - complete and ready for easy installation.
  • We manufacture chainlink gates that are perfectly balanced to hang properly with all the right sizes, proportions, and hardware.

4. Is chainlink available in different colours?

Yes. Almost all of our chainlink fence systems are available in a choice of black, brown, green or white.

5. By colour do you mean that the chainlink is painted?

  • Our full colour systems use a combination of vinyl covering and powder coating for the best in long time colour retention.
  • All of the chainlink mesh is made with galvanized wire that is vinyl covered by the manufacturer before it is woven.
  • All of the posts, rails, caps and fittings are powder coated to match the colour of the wire mesh.

6. Why is powder coating better than traditional painting?

  • With powder coating, a dry powdered plastic is sprayed onto the steel, and an electro-static charge is used to keep the powder on the steel long enough to get it in an oven. In the oven, heat melts the plastic to evenly cover all of the steel.
  • Advantages of powder coating, that make it particularly environmentally friendly, are that it does not require solvents and it captures it's own over spray.
  • Further advantages are that the plastic contains UV stabilizers which will provide longer lasting shine, the heating process offers better adhesion to the steel (it's baked right in), and once cooled down the plastic offers better protection against scratches.

7. Does powder coated steel require maintenance?

Once installed, maintaining the powder coating is a simple matter. Pollens and pollutants, which build up over time, are not good for the powder coating and must be removed. Powder coatings should be washed down regularly (normally once every 6 months but more often in marine and industrial environments). The coating should be washed down with soapy water, using a neutral detergent, and rinsed off with clean water.

8. How long should the powder coating last before I need to re-paint?

  • When powder coated items are installed properly and they are maintained regularly, they should be relatively permanent.
  • Correctly applied powder coatings will not crack, chip or peel like traditional wet paints.

    • 9. Does this mean that my chainlink Fence or Gate should last forever?

    No. But it should be good for at least 20 years.

    10. Are all chainlink Fences powder coated?

    • No. Traditional wet painting is something that can be done at less cost than hiring a professional with a special electro-static painting oven, so many companies choose to offer products that look the same at time of delivery and cost them less.
    • This is not a problem for the first 3 to 5 years, but then the disadvantages of wet paint will start to show, and the re-painting begins.

    11. Are all Fence-All chainlink products powder coated?

    No. We also offer chainlink fences that are made with galvanized mesh, galvanized pipe or galvalume framework which is silver/grey coloured.

    12. But are all Fence-All coloured chainlink products powder coated?

    • No. Because all ovens are governed by size limitations, some of our larger gates and oversized chainlink panels can only be finished with wet paint.
    • All of our Catalogue products include powder coating, including custom width residential gates, and wet paint would only apply to custom items.
    • Wet paint would be noted on the custom drawings that we would make and would again be noted on our quotation and made obvious to the customer.

    13. Is all powder coating the same?

    • No. As we all know the durability of any finish depends as much or more on the pretreatment than on the finish coat.
    • The steel needs to be cleaned properly before it is coated and the coating has to be put on evenly and at the right thickness.
    • Unfortunately a consumer really can't predict the durability of a finish - all they can go by is the reputation of the supplier.

    14. Is powder coating only available in Black?

    • No. Powder coating, just like traditional paint, is available in any colour.
    • All of our catalogue prices are available in our standard glossy-black, white, green or brown.

    15. What is Galvalume Steel?

    GALVALUME® is a 55% Aluminum and 45% Zinc coated sheet steel that is manufactured and sold under the trademark GALVALUME® by Dofasco Inc.

    16. What are the advantages of Galvalume Steel?

    • Galvalume steel combines the best qualities of aluminum and zinc to provide the best corrosion resistance in steel.
    • The aluminum-zinc coating provides superior corrosion resistance and heat reflectivity. It also has good bare edge protection and forming qualities.

    17. Is Galvalume only used for fences?

    • No. Galvalume steel has a more than 30 year history in steel buildings, roofing, eaves-troughing, swimming pools, building accessories, light steel framing, Quonset huts, construction tubulars, appliance, and automotive industries.
    • An estimated 40 billion square feet of Galvalume® sheet steel now covers buildings in all kinds of climates and environments throughout the world.

    18. What is so good about Galvalume?

    Galvalume steel is an ideal material because of its extraordinary outdoor corrosion resistance and resulting long life. It can also be factory painted to hold color and extend durability. Most important, it can be used in modern day steel designs which are strong, yet light weight, and won't crack and peel when subjected to the sun and weather.

    19. Are all Fences made with Galvalume Steel?

    No. Traditional "un-treated" steel can be purchased at a lower cost so many companies choose to offer products that look the same at time of delivery and cost them less. This is not a problem for the first year or two but then the disadvantages of non-treated steel begin to show and the corrosion begins.

    20. Are all Fence-All products made with Galvalume Steel?

    • No. Because not all steel sizes are made available, some of our custom made products are made with un-treated Black Steel.
    • All of our Catalogue fences and gates include Galvalume Steel, including custom width residential gates.
    • Black Steel would only apply to some specialty products, would be noted on the order, and would be made obvious to the customer.

    21. Do you also offer privacy slats for the chainlink?

  • Yes we do offer polyethylene privacy slats, but it should be noted that standard residential chainlink fence systems are not designed to hold the snow load and wind load that is incurred when adding privacy slats.
  • Privacy slats are generally fine on industrial chainlink fences.
  • We strongly recommend that people who are looking at chainlink, because of the price, but also want privacy look at alternatives.

    • 22. Is the chainlink available in different sizes?

    Yes. Chainlink is manufactured at many different heights, wire gauges and diamond sizes.

    23. How do I know which gauge and diamond size is best for my home?

    Talk to a professional in your area to see what is most commonly used and why.

    24. Do the fence posts have to be set in concrete?

    Although there are times when an alternative might work better, the most cost effective method of installing fences tends to be to set them in concrete.

    25. Can I let vines grow on my new fence?

    This is generally very popular - but it should be noted that certain vines or plant life will cause an un-even colour in the chainlink if left over time.

    26. What do you recommend for helping the posts last longer?

    Our special combination of Galvalume Steel and Powder Coat protective paint system means post rot is not a concern.

    27. Do you offer anything special for fences around swimming pools?

    • Yes. Since chainlink fences are so popular for around swimming pools, almost all of our chainlink systems are made "pool legal".
    • We also offer removable fence panels and sliding gates, popular choices for those who entertain, as well as alternate choices for gate hardware.

    28. What can you do about big changes of grade?

    Extra terminal posts can be used at the top and bottom of any hill and the chainlink can be specially cut to suit the grade.

    29. Do you offer larger diameter posts to make the fence stronger?

    There are different sized posts available but generally adding extra line posts is the better way to make a stronger fence.