This particular one is provided by Lowe’s and is very well done.

Where you want to a gate installed (if you want a gate, at all)Ī good how-to video of the whole step-by-step installation process can be found on YouTube.

Whether you want metal ties or zip ties to attach the top rails.

How much concrete you need to set the poles.

How many brace bands, tension bands, and tension wire you need.

Proper planning also requires you to know: There are many steps that need to be taken before the top rail of the fence can be installed: make sure you know where all the underground lines are, where you property line are, and how far apart you want the poles to be. So, in order for the gate and the rest of the fence to match, a top rail is necessary. Because installing a gate requires there to be a gap in the mesh sections, having a top rail will secure the sections on either side of the gate.Īnd, chain link gates will almost always have a top rail. It’s also easier to add gates to your chain link fence if you decide to install a top rail.

So, rather than leaving the top of the fence raw, when you add a top rail, it looks a bit more professional and well-done. The side posts of a chain link are meant to have a top rail attached to them. It Looks BetterĪlong with privacy and stability, a top rail adds a finished look to the chain link fence. If you have installed a top rail to your chain link fence, it makes it easier to add a privacy screen or mesh to the fence because it, as a whole, is more stable and able to resist wind gusts better. Add a Privacy ScreenĪlong with a top rail helping to keep the integrity of the fence, it also has other added benefits. Having a top rail installed helps alleviate this specific issue and also extends the life of the fence as a whole. Gravity does the same thing: it can cause the fence to sag over time, especially in the middle causing eventual failure. That constant movement can end up making the chain link mesh sag and start to collapse. Over time, wind can rock the fence back and forth. Gravity and weather also affect the integrity of the fence. So if you have kids who hop fences in your neighborhood, or a dog that jumps on the fence, a top rail becomes a must. This ensures less damage done to the top of the chain link mesh and extends the life of the fence as a whole. If you install a top fence rail to the chain link fence, however, the integrity of the fence stays intact because it takes the force of the climbers. Especially at the top of the fence, the mesh loses its integrity due to the weight and pressure that climbing the fence puts on it. Among other things, a top rail helps strengthen the chain link mesh.Ĭlimbing a chain link fence is fairly easy, but can damage the fence after several attempts at climbing. This is a huge reason for wanting to install a top rail on your chain link fence. improves longevity and integrity of the fence.By itself, it’s easily manipulated and can cause fence failure in the future.Īdding a top rail on a chain link fence is important because it: Imagine a sheet of chain link fence material: it’s typically very pliable and can bend easily, especially over time. Including one helps keep the integrity of the fence and extends the life of it far longer than if the rail is not installed. Installing a top rail on a chain link fence isn’t necessary, but it is encouraged.

But if you are thinking of leaving the top rail off, you need to know this. Chain link fences are a very practical option for a fence, and their many components play very important roles.

Hacksaw train rails