Fencing
Chain Link Fence
Durable containment that fits the budget.
Overview
Why chain link works
Chain link is still the most cost-effective way to enclose a large yard, a dog run or a commercial property. Choose bright galvanized or black vinyl-coated mesh, add a bottom rail or tension wire to keep pets from pushing under, and add privacy slats where you want screening.
- Lowest cost per foot for enclosing large areas
- Black vinyl-coated mesh nearly disappears into the landscape
- Bottom rail or tension wire options for pet containment
- Privacy slats available for screening
- Residential and commercial grade framework
Maintenance
Nearly maintenance free. Check gate hardware annually.
Warranty
Limited lifetime material warranty plus a one-year D2K workmanship warranty.
Online pricing is a preliminary estimate only and is not a final proposal or contract. Final pricing is subject to field verification, final measurements, site conditions, permits, HOA requirements, material availability and final scope of work.
In depth
How we install chain link fence
Chain link is still the most cost-effective way to enclose a large area, and the install details are what separate a fence that stays tight from one that sags. We set line, corner, end and gate posts in concrete below frost depth, with heavier gauge framework at the corners and terminals where all of the tension load lands. Then we stretch the fabric with a come-along rather than pulling it by hand, so the diamonds stay square and the mesh does not wave between posts.
You have two finishes to choose from. Bright galvanized is the traditional, lowest-cost option and the standard for utility areas, ball fields and commercial yards. Black vinyl-coated mesh costs more per foot but visually recedes into a landscape — from thirty feet away you see the yard, not the fence — which is why it has become the popular residential choice around Hanover and York.
For pets, the bottom of the fence is the whole conversation. A bottom rail gives a rigid edge that stops a dog from pushing under the mesh; a tension wire is the lower-cost alternative that still tightens the bottom line. We recommend one or the other on nearly every dog-containment install, and we will tell you which fits the animal and the budget.
Gates get frames welded or fitted to the opening, hinges and latches rated for the span, and drop rods on double gates. On commercial and driveway applications we install rolling and cantilever slide gates, and we can automate them with operators, keypads, loops and safety devices. Privacy slats can be woven into the mesh where you want screening at a fraction of a privacy fence cost.
Cost
What drives chain link fence cost
Every quote is built from the same factors. Here is what moves the number up or down on a real property, so nothing on your proposal comes as a surprise.
Linear footage
Chain link installs start around $27 per foot in our area, the lowest of anything we install.
Galvanized vs. vinyl coated
Black vinyl-coated mesh and framework cost more per foot than bright galvanized.
Height & gauge
4', 5', 6' and 8' heights, with residential and heavier commercial-grade framework priced differently.
Bottom rail or tension wire
A bottom rail costs more than tension wire; both are add-ons priced by the foot.
Gates
Walk gates, double gates and rolling or cantilever drive gates are priced per opening.
Slats & terrain
Privacy slats add material by the foot, and rock, slope or tight access adds labor.
Online pricing is a preliminary estimate only and is not a final proposal or contract. Final pricing is subject to field verification, final measurements, site conditions, permits, HOA requirements, material availability and final scope of work.
Compare materials
How chain link compares
| Material | Cost | Privacy | Maintenance | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chain Link (galvanized) | Lowest | None without slats | Check hardware yearly | Large lots, dog runs, commercial, ball fields |
| Chain Link (black coated) | Low to moderate | None without slats | Check hardware yearly | Residential yards where the fence should disappear |
| Aluminum Ornamental | Moderate to higher | Open sight lines | Essentially none | Pools, curb appeal, sloped yards |
| Vinyl Privacy | Highest of the four | Full screening | Rinse with a hose | Full privacy around patios and pools |
Local context
Chain Link fence in South-Central PA
Chain link does a specific job well in South-Central Pennsylvania: enclosing acreage. On the larger lots around York, Dover, Spring Grove, East Berlin and the Adams County farm edges, fencing a full perimeter in vinyl is often out of budget while chain link makes it achievable — and black vinyl-coated mesh keeps it from looking industrial against open ground.
It is also the workhorse for commercial and municipal work across York County and the City of York: warehouse and contractor yards, dumpster enclosures, stormwater basins, utility compounds, ball fields and school properties. Those jobs get commercial-grade framework, heavier gauge fabric and rolling or cantilever gates sized for truck access, and we handle the permit and prevailing-wage documentation where the project requires it.
Pennsylvania weather is easy on chain link — galvanized and vinyl-coated mesh both shrug off freeze-thaw — but the same clay and rock that plague every fence install still govern post setting. And on any dog yard in this area we push a bottom rail or tension wire, because a determined dog will find the bottom of a mesh fence long before it tests the top.
FAQ
Chain Link fence questions
- How much does chain link fence installation cost in PA?
- Chain link starts around $27 per foot installed in our service area, which makes it the lowest-cost durable fence we offer. Height, galvanized versus black vinyl-coated mesh, bottom rail or tension wire, gate count and terrain move the number from there.
- Galvanized or black vinyl-coated chain link?
- Galvanized costs less and is the standard for utility and commercial areas. Black vinyl-coated costs more per foot but visually disappears into a landscape, which is why most residential customers in Hanover and York choose it now.
- Will a chain link fence keep my dog in?
- Yes, with the right bottom detail. Add a bottom rail for a rigid edge or a tension wire to tighten the bottom line, and match the height to the dog — 4' is fine for many dogs, while jumpers and large breeds want 5' or 6'.
- Can I get privacy with chain link?
- Privacy slats woven into the mesh give partial screening at a fraction of a privacy fence cost. For full screening, vinyl privacy panels are the better product.
- Do you do commercial chain link in York County?
- Yes. Commercial-grade framework, heavier fabric, barbed wire where appropriate, and rolling or cantilever drive gates for contractor yards, warehouses, basins, ball fields and municipal sites.
- Do I need a permit for chain link fence?
- Usually the same rules apply as any other fence in your municipality — height limits, setbacks and corner sight triangles. We check for your address and file the permit when it is required.
- How long does a chain link install take?
- Most residential chain link jobs are completed in one to two days once material is on site, typically scheduled four to six weeks after a signed agreement.
- Can you repair or re-tension my existing chain link?
- Yes. We re-stretch loose fabric, replace top rail, fittings and rusted tension bands, reset leaning posts and rebuild racked gates — including on fences we did not install.
Reviews
76 five-star neighbors
"Brandon and his crew installed a new deck and fence at our house - a long overdue project! We are thrilled with both. His team is professional, friendly, and they work extremely hard. The bid was right in the ballpark of what we expected, the work was completed in a timely manner, and they were very good about cleaning up the work site when the jobs were finished. We would definitely use them again and recommend them to anyone seeking deck, fencing, and rail services."
"We recently had a vinyl fence and patio installed, and the entire experience was outstanding from start to finish. The crew was professional, hardworking, and paid attention to every detail. The fence looks amazing, feels solid, and completely transformed the look of our yard. The patio turned out even better than we imagined — clean, level, and beautifully finished."
"Brandon is fantastic. He did all the leg work and kept us updated prior to and during our project. Brandon got the ball rolling with his crew and got our fence installed as anticipated. We're extremely happy with the turnout, the quality and craftsmanship Brandon and his crew provided. We highly recommend D2K and our pups do too!!"
Ready for chain link fencing?
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