7 Ways to Reinforce the Security of Chain Link Fencing

Chain link fencing is one of Canada's most common forms of fencing. There are hundreds of thousands of miles of it erected globally, and tens of thousands of feet of chain link fabric are sold each year.

While chain link fencing is inexpensive, long-lasting, tolerant of slight gradient changes, and easy to construct, security enhancements may be made to make it a more effective barrier. Here is our list of the top five things you can do to improve the security of your chain link fence installation:

1. Know Your Gauge

Chain link fence fabric comes in several gauges or wire diameters. The lower the number, the thicker the wire is. So a 6 gauge chain link is substantially thicker than a 9 gauge cloth, with 11 gauge being used mainly for light residential installations.

2. Choose the Right Selvage

A chain link fabric is woven using a variety of selvage choices. Knuckle-knuckle fencing is commonly used in public places and housing complexes six feet or higher. This indicates that the bottom and top selvages have entirely bent wire ends with no apparent sharp edges. This is necessary for security. Security fence installations on chain link fences often employ knuckle-barb or, in rare cases, barb-barb. These selvages are vertically twisted, resulting in a "barb" that protrudes about an inch above the top of the cloth. This makes the top of the chain fence a bit more secure when properly fitted.

3. Make the Mesh Smaller

For additional security, the mesh size of chain link fences can be reduced. Mesh sizes range from 1.5 inches to 5 inches (3.8 to 12.7 cm). The smaller the mesh size, the harder it is for someone to climb or cut through.

4. Razer Coils And Barbed Wire

Another way to increase the security of the chain link fence is to add razer coils to the top of it. This strip of barbed wire hangs over the top of the fence. It's not especially difficult to deal with, but it does slow down anyone attempting to climb over the top of the fence.

5. Consider Adding a Bottom Rail

If a fence is particularly long or high (over 9 feet (3 m)), a bottom rail helps to prevent someone from crawling under it. It can also prevent someone from lifting the fence from the bottom up and climbing over the top.

6. Add Privacy Slats

Privacy slats are a great way to increase the privacy and security of any chain link fence. The slats prevent people from seeing into your yard and make it very difficult to climb the fence. Many fence manufacturers have privacy slats as standard options.

7. Install Fence Detection Systems

Older chain link fences can be fitted with electronic fence detection systems that aim to alert you to the presence of intruders. They include sensors that detect vibrations from walking on the chain-link fabric, and some also include motion-sensing devices. This can be an essential part of a fence security system.

Conclusion

A chain-link fence is an excellent option for residential or commercial fencing, but there are ways to make it a bit more secure. Taking the time to either modify a chain-link fence already installed or choose the suitable fence fabric for each area can make a big difference.

At Atlantic Fence, we have been the top choice for fence building, repair, installation, removal, and relocation. We provide industrial, residential, and commercial fencing solutions and gate operator installations. We only use premium-grade chain link fence material. Call us today for a free quote on your chain link fence installation in Edmonton!