How To Cover A Chainlink Fence: Cheap And Easy Options [Must-Know]
By: Xtreme eDeals
A chain link fence is a popular fencing option that provides security and boundary definition for residential, commercial, and industrial properties. While chain link fences are functional and durable, they often lack aesthetic appeal.
However, by covering a chain link fence, you can transform its appearance and enhance its functionality.
In this article, we will explore the various options and methods for covering a chain link fence, along with the benefits, considerations, and maintenance tips associated with this process.
Choosing The Right Material
Consider the following factors when selecting a chain link fence covering:
Durability: A chain link fence may last longer than any chosen coating. Choose the number of times you are prepared to replace a chain link fence covering.
Installation difficulty: How much labor are you willing to invest on installation? Some answers are simple, while others need more work. Maintenance is necessary for some solutions, such as maintaining plants.
Cost: The majority of solutions are affordable, with the exception of a few full-coverage choices. You will need to replace your covering more frequently if the alternative is less durable and costs less.
Best Material 1. Chain Link Fence Slats
Long, narrow pieces can be put vertically into chain link fences to add seclusion. Individual slats are placed without the need for attachment by sliding in from the top and locking into position. Slats can survive for many years or are easily replaced if broken and are either composed of high-density polyethylene or metal.
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For seclusion, the slats provide a 75–80% view blockage. At 6 feet high, ten linear feet of chain link slats cost between $90 and $110.
- Inexpensive
- Very durable
- Incomplete privacy
- Slow installation
2. Bamboo Screens
Chain link fences can be hidden in a beautiful, natural way using rolled bamboo fencing. The linked poles used to build the bamboo fencing range in thickness from 3/4″ to 2″. By securing full bamboo pole screens to the rails and poles with foot-long pieces of 16-gauge wire, they may be mounted right onto a chain link fence. Although bamboo is strong, because it is biological, it might decay over time.
For seclusion, this fencing can provide 85% coverage. The cost of a bamboo fencing panel measuring 16 feet long by 6 feet high can range from $50 to $100, however costs considerably depend on the company.
- Attractive
- Natural
- Not durable if untreated
- Expensive
3. Reed Screens
Approximately the same thickness as a drinking straw, thin bamboo reeds are weaved into mats that range in length from 8 to 16 feet. These rolls are simple to travel from the home improvement store and back. Typically put vertically, reed screens maintain their aesthetic appeal for around two years before needing to be replaced.
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When new, reed screens provide roughly 85% privacy. Privacy is lost as the screen disintegrates. Reed screen is 6 feet by 16 feet and costs between $28 and $35 a roll.
- Inexpensive
- Fast and easy to install
- Deteriorates quickly
- Rapidly changes color
4. Mesh Wind Privacy Screen
At first glance, a mesh windscreen on a fence looks like a tarp. But a mesh privacy screen is designed specifically for fences. A mesh privacy screen is very durable and can last for years since it’s UV-rated polypropylene, water-, and wind-permeable. It has a double-thick trim around the perimeter, and brass grommets on the trim so that you can attach it to the chain link with zip-ties. However it’s woven, so it will eventually wear.
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Privacy ranges from 80 to 96 percent, depending on how much you are willing to spend. Mesh screening is a low-cost solution. Lower-quality privacy screens (85 percent blockage) are the least expensive, costing under $100 for a 6-foot high by 50-foot long screen. But costs vary greatly per size of screen, manufacturer, or seller. Screens with 96 percent blockage may cost about 50 percent more.
- Nearly 100 percent privacy screens available
- Inexpensive coverage for large expanses
- Basic, utilitarian look and not very attractive for residential use
- Dark colors succumb to UV rays faster
5. Wooden Fence Panels
Approximately the same thickness as a drinking straw, thin bamboo reeds are weaved into mats that range in length from 8 to 16 feet. These rolls are simple to travel from the home improvement store and back. Typically put vertically, reed screens maintain their aesthetic appeal for around two years before needing to be replaced.
When new, reed screens provide roughly 85% privacy. Privacy is lost as the screen disintegrates. Reed screen is 6 feet by 16 feet and costs between $28 and $35 a roll.
Typically, durability is very good. As a result of its high oil content, cedar is naturally weather-resistant, but any species of wood can be sealed with a sealant spray.
The percentage of privacy is very high (about 90%). It is not a cheap option. It costs between $145 and $160 for a single 6 feet tall by 8 feet long wood fence panel.
- Good for privacy
- Looks like a real wood fence
- Offers full coverage of chain link fence
- Large, heavy fence panels difficult to handle and install
- May need fence permit to install
- Expensive
6. Live or Artificial Plants
You have a few options, such as fake or genuine plants, if you want a wall of greenery. One solution is to roll privacy screens made of fake ivy vines across one side of a fence. The chain link fence can be rapidly hidden, however the material’s attractiveness will deteriorate over time due to weather. It provides almost total coverage. Depending on the level of intricacy, such as artificial flowers, a 3- to 5-foot by 10-foot high panel can cost anywhere from $40 to $80-plus.
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Try planting evergreen vines, like English ivy, to make a living wall for actual ivy, but be patient; it will take time to see results that will provide coverage from season to season. If not, put up higher privacy hedging in front of the fence, though the faster-growing shrubs will only grow around 2 feet a year.
- Artificial screening offers full coverage
- Artificial screening can be inexpensive
- Artificial screening is easy to install
- Artificial screens may fade
- Real plants take too long to grow for coverage
- Covers only one side of fence
7. Privacy Tape
Privacy tape is put through the chain links on a diagonal and is thinner than slats. Low-density polyethylene that has been colored and treated with UV inhibitors often makes up the tape. However, installation is time-consuming, especially for lengthy fences. Fasteners are typically used to connect tape, which typically comes in a range of colors. Because of the tape’s extreme durability and ability to survive both extreme heat and cold, it typically simply has to be pressure cleaned to look new.
Vertical slats do not provide as much privacy screening as diagonal weaving with tape (around 90%). Additionally, tape is less expensive; a 250-foot roll of tape costs around $40 to cover 40 square feet.
- Great coverage
- Low cost
- Durable
- Labor-intensive installation
- Not the most aesthetically pleasing option
- Thinner material than slats
What are the benefits for covering a chain link fence?
- Enhanced Privacy: One of the primary advantages of covering a chain link fence is increased privacy. By attaching privacy screens, slats, or mesh panels to the fence, you can significantly reduce visibility into and out of the fenced area. This is particularly beneficial for residential properties or commercial spaces where privacy is desired.
- Improved Aesthetics: A covered chain link fence can enhance the overall appearance of a property. By adding materials such as vinyl or fabric covers, you can transform the utilitarian look of the chain link into a more attractive and visually appealing fence. The covers are available in a variety of colors and styles, allowing you to choose an option that complements your property’s design.
- Reduced Noise: Covering a chain link fence with sound-absorbing materials can help reduce noise transmission. This is particularly advantageous if you live near a busy road, commercial area, or noisy environment. The added layer of insulation provided by the covers can help create a more peaceful and serene environment within your property.
- Increased Security: Covering a chain link fence can enhance security by reducing the visibility of valuable items inside your property. It makes it more difficult for potential intruders to see into your property, which can deter theft and trespassing.
- Wind Protection: Depending on your location and the specific design of the fence, a chain link fence can allow strong winds to pass through the diamond-shaped openings. However, by adding windscreen covers or slats, you can reduce wind gusts and create a more sheltered and comfortable environment within your property.
- Versatility: Covering a chain link fence offers versatility in terms of customization. There are various options available in the market, including mesh panels, fabric covers, bamboo rolls, and artificial greenery. This allows you to choose a style and material that aligns with your preferences and specific needs.
- Durability and Longevity: Adding covers to a chain link fence can provide an additional layer of protection against the elements, such as sunlight, rain, and extreme temperatures. This can help prevent rusting and extend the lifespan of the fence, saving you money on potential repairs or replacements.
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