Chain Link Fence Manufacturing & Materials

Chain link fencing has a long history as one of the most popular types of fencing because of its flexibility, versatility, and relatively inexpensive cost. Shorter chain link fences can be used to protect utility vaults, six-foot fencing can be used to provide security around a home, and even taller chain link fences can be used to protect outside inventory for businesses. 

We offer a wide variety of chain link products and can accommodate most needs ranging from custom sizes to various gauges. Below you can find more details on the types chain link products we carry. If you are looking for something not listed below contact us directly.

Once the chain link fence is made, it can be turned into kennels, backstops, and other uses in addition to fencing. All you need is the right combination of posts and rails. But getting those wires to come together in a uniform shape takes a highly specialized machine to weave the strands together.

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We weave our own fence on site and pass the savings to our valued customers

How is a Chain Link Fence Made?

At the start of the process, two spools of galvanized steel or aluminum wire are fed into the chain link weaving machine through a series of pulleys. These pulleys are meant to straighten the wires so they can be bent into the familiar zig-zag shape. The machine can be programmed to work with different gauges of wire, different-sized diamonds, and different fence lengths. 

The wires are then bent and then interlocked by spinning the wires. That spinning motion continues as the row of mesh is connected to the prior mesh. So the two wires are first brought together and then coupled to the rest of the fence. Once the row of diamond threads reaches the appropriate length, the ends are cut off. 

Then the fence is shifted up to make room for the next row. So now both ends have two, pointy wires that need to be dealt with. These pointed ends can either be twisted together to keep the fence together or “knuckled.” This is the process of pushing the ends down over each other and creating a safer, rounded top and bottom of the fence.

The finished fencing is rolled up as it grows. When a certain length is met (usually 50 feet), a wire is removed to separate the finished weave from the next 50 feet of fencing. And now you have nice, tidy, 50 feet of fencing ready to be installed at a residence, a building, tennis court, or any number of other uses.

How we weave our own chain link fence

How is a Chain Link Fence Made With Vinyl Coating?

For vinyl-coated types of woven fence, those spools first go through a process that coats the wire in a thin layer of vinyl. The vinyl is first heated to 350 degrees to make sure it’s liquified. The wire is then coated with the vinyl and immediately put through a cold water bath.

This solidifies the vinyl-coated steel wire and keeps it rigid enough to enter the weaving stage. The same process as before takes place, only with vinyl-coated wires. The vinyl is so strong at this point that the workings of the machine don’t damage the coating at all.  

How the Wire for Chain Link Fences is Made

The wire used for chain link fences is typically made through a process called wire drawing. The process begins with raw materials, usually high-carbon steel wire rods. These wire rods are made from steel billets that are heated and rolled into long, thin rods of the desired diameter.

The choice of steel composition depends on factors such as the desired strength and corrosion resistance of the final wire. In some cases, the wire rods might undergo an annealing process. Annealing involves heating the wire rods to a specific temperature and then allowing them to cool slowly. This process can improve the material’s ductility and make it easier to draw into thinner wire.

The wire is then fed through a series of dies or drawing plates that gradually reduce the diameter of the wire while increasing its length. The wire is pulled through the dies and each successive die has a smaller hole. This allows the wire to be created in different gauges.

To prevent overheating–it can be a very hot process–the wire is often cooled with water or air. Additionally, lubricants or coatings are applied to the wire to reduce friction and prevent damage during the drawing process. Once the wire reaches the desired diameter, it undergoes additional processing to achieve the required properties.

This might include heat treatment to enhance the wire’s strength and other characteristics. Galvanized chain link wire is coated with a layer of zinc to protect it from corrosion. The wire drawing process is crucial for producing wire with the desired diameter, strength, and other properties required for chain link fences.

Black vinyl coated chain link fencing around a pool.

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