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Chain Link Fence Installation in Chicagoland

Photo of a custom chain link fence installed by First Fence Company in Hillside, IL

Photo of residential chain link fence - First Fence

Photo of a custom chain link dog fence installed by First Fence Company in Hillside, IL

Photo of a custom commercial chain link fence installed by First Fence Company in Hillside, IL

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Whether you call it chain link, cyclone fencing, or simply a wire fence, the reason this style has been a Chicago-area staple for generations is because it works. Chain link fencing gives you a durable, practical way to define your property, keep pets and kids safely contained, secure equipment, or protect a commercial site, without the upkeep that comes with wood.

First Fence Company has been installing chain link fences throughout Chicagoland since 1989. As a family-owned company based in Hillside, we install everything from four-foot residential enclosures to heavy-gauge commercial and industrial fencing, including large cantilever gates built for vehicle and truck access. Our crews understand the local conditions and installation requirements that come with fencing properties throughout the western and northwest suburbs.

If you’re looking for experienced chain link fence contractors near you, call 708-547-7555 or request a free estimate to discuss your project.

First Fence Company installs residential and commercial chain link fencing throughout Cook and DuPage counties, from four-foot yard enclosures to heavy-gauge commercial perimeter systems with cantilever gates. Family-owned and based in Hillside since 1989, First Fence handles galvanized and vinyl-coated chain link, permit coordination, and repairs across the western and northwest suburbs. Request a free estimate today.

Where We Install Chain Link Fencing in Cook & DuPage County

Our crews install chain link fencing throughout Cook and DuPage counties and the surrounding collar suburbs. That means we work in everything from established residential neighborhoods to the region’s busiest commercial and industrial corridors.

In older, tightly planned communities such as Bellwood, Berwyn, Forest Park, Westchester, Brookfield, Oak Park, and Elmhurst, chain link is a practical way to create clean boundaries around compact yards, alleys, driveways, and side passages without taking up more space than necessary. In commercial and industrial areas such as Hillside, Bensenville, Addison, Elk Grove Village, and Des Plaines, we install chain link systems designed around perimeter security, controlled access, and vehicle traffic.

We also serve Downers Grove, Lombard, Wheaton, Villa Park, La Grange, Naperville, Glen Ellyn, and many surrounding communities. Don’t see your town listed? Give us a call anyway. Our service area extends throughout much of the greater Chicago area, and we’ll let you know if we can install your fence.

Benefits of Chain Link Fencing for Chicagoland Homeowners

Chain link has stayed popular because it solves several everyday fencing problems without adding unnecessary cost or upkeep. For Chicagoland homeowners, it offers a practical combination of affordability, durability, low maintenance, and an open feel that is hard for other fencing materials to match. Here are the reasons it continues to make sense:

It’s the most cost-effective way to enclose a yard: If your priority is getting the yard closed off dependably and within a real budget, nothing else competes on installed cost per foot. That matters when the fence is a necessity rather than a design project.
It genuinely doesn’t ask anything of you: No staining, no sealing, no repainting, no annual ritual. Soap and water if you feel like it. Once it’s in, you’re done thinking about it.
It handles our weather: Galvanized steel and vinyl-coated finishes are built for freeze-and-thaw cycles, wet springs, and the wind that comes across the prairie in March. A properly set chain link fence doesn’t warp, rot, or cup the way other materials can.
It doesn’t block light or air: On a small lot, a solid six-foot wall of privacy fence can make a yard feel like a box. Chain link defines the boundary while keeping the space open, which is often exactly what a narrow city or inner-suburb yard needs.
It repairs cleanly: When a tree limb comes down or a delivery truck clips a corner post, we can replace a section, a post, or a run of fabric and have it match what’s already there. You’re rarely forced into a full replacement.

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What Goes Into a Quality Chain Link Fence Installation

Not all chain link is the same, and the differences are where a good installation separates itself from a cheap one. When we quote your project, these are the decisions we’ll walk you through.

Wire gauge: Gauge is the thickness of the wire, and lower numbers mean heavier wire. Residential enclosures are typically built in a lighter gauge that’s more than adequate for a yard, a garden, or a family dog. Commercial and industrial work moves to heavier gauge fabric that resists cutting, pushing, and the kind of daily contact a busy site produces.
Mesh size: The diamond openings can be woven tighter or looser. Tighter mesh is harder to climb and harder for a small dog to get a paw into which is worth considering if you have a determined escape artist or a property where climb resistance matters.
Framework: The posts, top rail, terminal posts, tension bands, and hardware are the actual structure of the fence, and they’re where corners get cut most often. We size the framework to the height and gauge of the fabric rather than to the lowest possible bid, and we set terminal and gate posts in concrete, so gates keep swinging true years later.
Finish: Galvanized is the classic silver-gray look, and it’s the workhorse. Vinyl-coated chain link adds a bonded PVC layer over the galvanized steel in black, brown, or green. The coating adds another layer of rust protection, it’s softer on hands and paws, and a black coated fence visually disappears against a tree line or hedge in a way bare galvanized never does. If you want the function of chain link without seeing it, coated is the answer.
Add-ons: Privacy slats woven vertically through the mesh, bottom tension wire, and reinforced bottom rails are all available depending on what the fence needs to do.

Residential Chain Link Fence Installation

For homeowners, chain link fencing is often the practical answer when the goal is to secure the yard, contain the dog, give kids a defined place to play, or establish a clear property boundary. It can be customized to fit the way you use your yard, without adding unnecessary maintenance or taking up valuable space.

Closing off the yard for a dog: Chain link is a favorite among dog owners because it’s strong, the dog can see out, and it can be built to suit a specific animal. For a digger, we can add bottom tension wire or a reinforced bottom to take away the easy exit. For a jumper, we go taller. For a small dog who can slip through anything, tighter mesh solves it. We also build dedicated dog runs when you want an enclosed area inside a larger yard.
Making the yard safer for kids: A see-through fence lets you keep an eye on the yard from the kitchen window, which is something a solid privacy fence takes away. We hang gates with self-closing hinges and self-latching hardware, with the latch positioned out of easy reach, so the gate isn’t the weak point in an otherwise secure yard.
Marking a boundary: Sometimes you just need to know where your property ends and the neighbor’s begins, without making a statement about it. Chain link does that quietly and permanently.
Rental and investment properties: Landlords and investors come to us for chain link because it’s durable, tenant-proof, quick to install, and doesn’t generate maintenance calls. When you own several properties, that last part matters more than anything.

Commercial and Industrial Chain Link Fencing

On the commercial side, heavy-duty chain link is the backbone of our fencing work. We install perimeter fencing for outdoor storage yards, equipment and vehicle lots, warehouses, utility and municipal facilities, construction sites, and industrial properties throughout Chicagoland.

Commercial fencing has different priorities than residential work and requires stronger materials, greater security, controlled access, and installations built to handle daily use. We’re equipped for all of it:

Heavy-gauge perimeter fencing in the height and configuration your property, security requirements, and insurer call for
Swing, double-drive, and cantilever slide gates; ideal for loading areas, alleys, and other tight spaces where a swinging gate isn’t practical
Barbed wire and other security toppings when additional perimeter protection is required
Automated and access-controlled gates, including keypad entry, card readers, and vehicle loop detection
Dumpster and equipment enclosures that keep service areas secure, organized, and out of sight
Warehouse partitions and security cages for tool rooms, server areas, inventory, and other restricted spaces
Guard rails and parkway installations to help control traffic and protect buildings, equipment, and property

We also provide detailed proposals and insurance documentation when required by owners, boards, or property management companies. For larger properties, we can coordinate installation around your operations and phase the work when the entire perimeter can’t be taken out of service at once.

Chain Link Fencing for Parks, Schools & Sports Fields

Chain link is a natural fit for athletic and recreational facilities because it provides a durable barrier without blocking visibility. We install fencing for park districts, schools, municipalities, and other public facilities throughout the Chicago area, with systems built to withstand everything from stray baseballs to year-round weather and heavy daily use.

Chain Link Fence Repair in Chicagoland

One of the biggest advantages of chain link is that damage doesn’t automatically mean replacement. In many cases, we can repair the affected section, restore the fence’s function, and leave the rest of the installation intact. Common chain link fence repairs include:

Leaning or loose posts caused by a failed footing, ground movement, or years of wear
Stretched, sagging, or torn fabric resulting from storms, impacts, or general wear
Gates that won’t close or latch, often because a post has shifted or the hardware has worn out
Sections damaged by fallen branches, vehicles, or other impacts
Bent top rails caused by snow, fallen limbs, or heavy objects

We’ll give you an honest assessment of whether repair or replacement makes more sense. If your fence is nearing the end of its useful life, we’ll tell you rather than recommend putting money into a temporary fix. And when older galvanized fabric is difficult to match perfectly, we’ll explain that upfront.

For larger properties, we can also phase repairs over time, allowing you to address the most urgent damage without taking on a full perimeter project all at once.

Chain Link Fence Permits & Village Code Restrictions in Chicagoland

Before you settle on a chain link fence, check your local code. Of all the common residential fence types, chain link is among the most likely to face restrictions in Chicagoland, and the rules can change from one municipality to the next.

Many local communities restrict or prohibit chain link in front yards, street-facing side yards on corner lots, or parkways between the sidewalk and curb, while allowing it in rear and interior side yards. Some municipalities also set different height limits by yard location or specify details such as whether the top selvage must be knuckled rather than finished with exposed twists. The important thing to know is that there is no single Chicagoland fence standard. What works in one town may not be permitted in the next.

First Fence has been working with local communities since 1989, so we know what questions to ask before installation begins. We can help prepare the drawings, plat of survey, and material specifications your village may require. The property owner submits the application and obtains the permit in their own name.

Pool fencing is a different matter. If your chain link fence encloses a swimming pool, the enclosure requirements are typically addressed as part of the pool permit process, and the barrier standards are more stringent than those for an ordinary residential fence. Because chain link can present climbing concerns, it may not be permitted or appropriate for some pool applications. In those cases, we’ll discuss alternatives such as aluminum or ornamental steel and help you determine what fits your project and local requirements.

Chain Link vs. Wood, Vinyl & Aluminum Fencing: How It Compares

We install more than 100 styles of fencing, and our goal isn’t to sell you the fence you called about, it’s to help you choose the one that fits your property, priorities, and budget.

If privacy is the real goal, chain link with privacy slats can add some screening, but a solid fence such as wood or vinyl will do the job better. If curb appeal is driving the project, aluminum and ornamental steel provide a more finished, open appearance than chain link.

But if you want a dependable, long-lasting, genuinely affordable enclosure that requires very little attention once it’s installed, chain link remains hard to beat. There’s a reason it has been a Chicagoland staple for generations.

FIRST FENCE COMPANY: YOUR RESOURCE FOR FENCE INSTALLATION AND REPAIRS IN CHICAGOLAND

First Fence Company is not only your resource for residential chain link fencing, but we’re also the place you can go for chain link fence installation and repair. That means, when you’ve decided on the chain link fencing you desire, our crew can handle everything from contacting JULIE to digging postholes. Thanks to years of experience in the industry, our team ensures that your fencing project is handled with the utmost care, and we communicate with you throughout the process.

First Fence Company Team Members

Get a Free Chain Link Fence Estimate

Whether you’re enclosing a yard for a new dog, replacing a fence damaged by a storm, or securing a commercial property, First Fence Company can help you find the right chain link system for the job.

We build every fence on-site to the actual dimensions and conditions of your property. Before we dig, we handle the JULIE utility locate, and we keep you informed throughout the process, from the initial walkthrough and estimate to installation and the final gate adjustment.

We’ve been installing fences as a family-owned business since 1989, and much of our work still comes from word-of-mouth referrals. If you’re ready to find out what a properly planned and professionally installed chain link fence will cost, call 708-547-7555 or request your free estimate today.

Serving Chicagoland With Chain Link Fence Installation

First Fence Company provides chain link fence installation for residential, commercial, industrial, and community properties throughout Chicagoland. From securing backyards and side yards to enclosing commercial properties, chain link fencing offers a practical solution for properties that need dependable boundaries and visibility.

Explore our local fencing pages to learn more about available services in your area:

Compare Chain Link With Other Fence Options

Chain link is often chosen when property owners need a functional, durable fence with an open design. However, different properties call for different fencing materials. Depending on your priorities for privacy, appearance, maintenance, security, and cost, another material may be a better match.

Learn more about wood fencing, vinyl fencing, aluminum fencing, wrought iron fencing, and ornamental steel fencing to compare materials and see where each type works best.

Chain Link Fence Installation FAQs

Is a cyclone fence the same thing as a chain link fence?

Yes. “Cyclone fence” is a longstanding regional term for the same woven-wire fencing, and it’s still common around Chicagoland, especially among homeowners who grew up here. If you call us asking about a cyclone fence, we’ll know exactly what you mean.

How long does a chain link fence last?

Decades, in most cases. Galvanized steel and vinyl-coated finishes hold up well to Chicago-area weather, and because chain link has no organic material in it, there’s nothing to rot or decay. Lifespan comes down to the quality of the fabric and framework and how well the posts were set, which is exactly why framework and post-setting are worth paying attention to on the front end.

Can chain link keep my dog in the yard?

In most cases, yes, and we build to the specific dog. For a digger, bottom tension wire or a reinforced bottom removes the easy way out. For a jumper, we go taller. For a small dog who fits through anything, tighter mesh solves it. Tell us about your dog during the estimate and we’ll build around the behavior instead of guessing.

What colors does vinyl-coated chain link come in?

Black, brown, and green are the standard options. Black is the most requested in the Chicago area by a wide margin, largely because it recedes visually against landscaping and tree lines. The vinyl coating also adds rust protection and is easier on hands and paws than bare galvanized wire.

Do I need a permit for a chain link fence in Chicagoland?

Almost always, and chain link carries extra scrutiny in many communities because a number of villages restrict it in front and street-side yards. Requirements vary from town to town. First Fence helps prepare the drawings, plat of survey, and material details your village will want to see. The property owner submits the application and obtains the permit in their own name.

Can a damaged chain link fence be repaired instead of replaced?

Usually. Chain link is modular by nature, so posts, fabric, top rail, and gate hardware can each be addressed on their own. The main limitation is matching older galvanized fabric, which can weather to a slightly different tone. We’ll give you an honest read on whether a repair is worth it before you spend anything.

Is chain link strong enough for a commercial property?

Yes, when it’s specified correctly. Commercial and industrial chain link uses heavier gauge fabric and substantially heavier framework than residential fencing, and it can be built with security top treatments, cantilever slide gates, and access control integration. It remains the most common perimeter material on commercial sites for exactly that reason.

How long does installation take?

Most residential chain link installations are quick, often a single day once the utility locate is complete and the permit is in hand. Larger commercial perimeters take longer and can be phased so your operations aren’t interrupted. We’ll give you a realistic timeline at the estimate, including current lead times on materials.