Fence Company in Des Plaines, IL
Des Plaines was developed around its river. The city takes its name from the Des Plaines River that winds through the middle of town, and that same water shapes daily life for a lot of homeowners here in ways it doesn't in most Chicagoland suburbs. Neighborhoods like Big Bend sit right in the bend of the river, and stretches of the city fall inside a FEMA-mapped floodplain. For a fence, that isn't a small detail, where your property sits relative to the river changes how a fence should be built and, sometimes, what paperwork the city needs before a post ever goes in the ground.
First Fence is a family-owned company based just down the road in Hillside, and we design and install residential and commercial fences across Des Plaines and the greater Chicagoland area. Whether you're closing off a backyard near Lake Opeka, adding privacy to a lot in the Cumberland or Riverview area, or securing a commercial property along Mannheim or Rand Road, we'll help you find a fence that fits your property, your budget, and the way you use your yard.
Call us at 708-547-7555 or request a free estimate to get started.
Photo Gallery
Browse our fence gallery to see recent wood, vinyl, aluminum, and commercial fence projects. Great for design ideas before your free estimate.
See a style you like? Let's bring it to your yard.
Residential Fences in Des Plaines
Every yard in Des Plaines is a little different whether it's a corner lot near a busy arterial, a deep lot backing onto the river, or a tidy bungalow block off Miner Street. We carry more than 100 styles so the fence suits the home rather than the other way around. Here are the residential materials we install most often.
Wood fencing
Warm, classic, and endlessly customizable, a wood fence still sets the standard for backyard privacy. We install Western Red Cedar, a naturally beautiful wood with tight grain and good resistance to the weather Des Plaines throws at it. Cedar can be built as a solid privacy run, board-on-board, or a shorter picket depending on the look you're after.
Vinyl (PVC) fencing
Vinyl is the best fencing material for homeowners who don't want to maintain it. It only needs to be hosed down and wiped clean, and it holds its color season after season. Vinyl fencing is available in privacy panels and semi-private styles, which makes it a popular choice on interior lots where low upkeep matters as much as the look.
Aluminum fencing
Aluminum gives you the open, wrought-iron look without maintenance, and it won't rust. It's a natural fit for front yards, pool areas, and anywhere you want to define a boundary while keeping sightlines open, which is useful on Des Plaines lots where the code requires front-yard fencing to stay largely see-through. Panels rack to follow a slope, so it works on graded lots too.
Composite fencing
Composite blends wood fibers and polymers into a solid, private panel that resists moisture, insects, and rot, a genuine plus for properties near the river where damp ground is common. It carries the substantial feel of wood with far less upkeep, and it comes in a range of colors that don't fade.
Chain link fencing
Practical and budget-friendly, chain link is a dependable way to enclose a yard, mark a boundary, or create a dedicated dog run. We install galvanized and vinyl-coated options, and it pairs well with slats if you want to add a measure of privacy later without replacing the fence.
Ornamental steel and iron fencing
For homeowners who want strength and a more formal, decorative presence, ornamental steel and iron deliver both. They're a good match for the older, architecturally rich homes scattered through Des Plaines, and they hold up beautifully as a long-term boundary or entry statement.
Gate Installation
Complete your fence with a gate that provides convenient access without compromising security. We install matching walk gates and wide drive gates in every material we carry, along with self-closing and self-latching hardware where safety matters such as around pools and anywhere young children or dogs are part of the picture. If you're securing a driveway or a commercial entrance, ask us about automated and access-controlled gate options.
Pool Fencing
If you have a pool, or you're planning one, fencing isn't optional, it's part of keeping the area safe and getting through inspection. In Des Plaines, pool fencing is handled as part of the swimming pool permit rather than as a separate approval, so it makes sense to plan the barrier alongside the pool itself.
We build code-conscious pool enclosures, typically aluminum for its clean look and rust resistance, with self-closing, self-latching gates. We don't install removable mesh fencing; our focus is permanent, well-built barriers that keep the view of the water open while doing their job. If you're working toward an inspection deadline, tell us, and we'll factor it into scheduling.
Commercial Fencing in Des Plaines
Des Plaines is a commercial and industrial hub, from the corridors around O'Hare and the manufacturing pockets on the south side to retail along Rand, Mannheim, and Oakton. We handle commercial projects with the same care as residential ones, plus the documentation, scheduling, and coordination that businesses and property managers need.
Commercial chain link
The workhorse of commercial security. Tall, durable, and cost-effective, chain link secures lots, storage yards, and equipment with minimal fuss, and it can be upgraded with privacy slats or barbed arms in the districts where those are permitted.
Ornamental steel and aluminum
When appearance matters at the property line such as for office parks, multifamily communities, and retail frontage, ornamental metal delivers a polished, secure boundary that still looks welcoming. Note that where a commercial property backs onto homes, Des Plaines requires a solid screening fence along that shared line, and we'll design to meet it.
Industrial and high-security fencing
For warehouses, utility sites, and outdoor storage, we install heavier-gauge systems built to deter and endure, and we can integrate them with gate operators and access control.
Access control and automated gates
Slide gates, swing gates, keypads, and operators that manage vehicle and employee access, specified around how your site runs and installed to work around your operating hours.
Dumpster and equipment enclosures
Tidy, durable enclosures that screen dumpsters, generators, and equipment from view while standing up to daily use.
Specialty Fences
Custom-designed fencing
When a standard panel won't do, our team designs to the property with mixed materials, custom heights, decorative detailing, and gates built to match.
Railings
Aluminum railings for porches, stoops, and steps that add safety and finish without heavy upkeep.
Trellises, pergolas, and custom woodwork
Beyond the fence line, we build pergolas, trellises, and other custom wood features that extend and shade your outdoor living space.
Fence Repair & Replacement
Des Plaines gets its share of hard weather, and a spring storm or a windy stretch off the river can loosen a post, lean a section, or take a gate off its swing. We repair what's worth repairing including posts, panels, gates, and hardware, and we'll tell you honestly when a section can be fixed versus when replacement is the better value over the long run. For older fences that have simply reached the end of their life, we handle full replacement, including removal and cleanup of the old materials. Larger projects can often be phased if that helps you manage the work in stages.
Permits & Fence Codes in Des Plaines
Des Plaines requires a building permit for residential fences, including replacements, and the city asks for two copies of a plat of survey showing where the fence will sit, along with a description of your materials and construction. A few local rules are worth knowing early: front-yard fences must be at least 50% open, "see-through" designs; the finished side of the fence faces out, toward your neighbors and the street, with posts on your side; and corner and double-frontage lots near arterial streets have their own allowances near that street line.
There's one rule here that most suburbs don't have. Because so much of Des Plaines sits near the river, properties inside a mapped floodway or floodplain need a separate development permit for new construction, and the city specifically lists fences among the structures that trigger it. If it isn't clear whether your lot falls in a flood zone, the city can make that determination. This is easy to miss and frustrating to fix after the fact, which is why we raise it up front.
First Fence can prepare the drawings, the plat of survey, and the material details you'll need for your application. You must submit the paperwork and obtain the permit yourself, since it's issued in your name as the property owner. We're glad to guide you through what the city is looking for, and if your property is in a flood zone, we'll flag it so you can factor in that extra approval.
Why Des Plaines Homeowners Choose First Fence
We've been designing and installing fences across Chicagoland since 1989, and we've grown mostly through word of mouth and repeat customers. We use quality materials, our crews take pride in clean, careful installation, and we treat your property like it's ours. From the first estimate to the final walkthrough, you're working with people who know these suburbs and the quirks that come with them.
Ready to talk about your project? Call 708-547-7555 or request your free estimate for fencing services in Des Plaines, IL.
Fencing Services in Des Plaines, IL FAQs
Do I need a permit to install a fence in Des Plaines?
Yes. Des Plaines requires a building permit for residential fences, including replacing an existing fence. You'll need two copies of a plat of survey showing the fence location, plus details on your materials and construction. First Fence can prepare those materials for you; you submit the application and obtain the permit, since it's issued in your name.
My property is near the Des Plaines River. Does that change anything?
It can. Properties inside a mapped floodway or floodplain need a separate development permit for new construction, and the city lists fences among the structures that require it. If you're not sure whether your lot is in a flood zone, the city can make that determination for you. We'll raise the flood-zone question during your estimate so there are no surprises.
How tall can my fence be?
It depends on where the fence sits. Front-yard fences in Des Plaines must be at least 50% open, see-through designs, while rear and side yards allow more height and solid privacy construction. Corner and double-frontage lots near arterial streets have their own rules. We'll confirm the specifics for your lot before we finalize a design.
Which side of the fence faces my neighbor?
Des Plaines requires the finished side to face outward, toward the street and neighboring properties, with the posts and rails on your side. Every fence we build is installed to meet that requirement.
What kind of wood do you install?
We install Western Red Cedar, a naturally attractive and weather-resistant wood. If you've been reading about pressure-treated pine, that's a fair question, and we're happy to talk it through with you when we come out.
What's the best low-maintenance fence?
Vinyl and aluminum are our go-to options for homeowners who don't want ongoing upkeep. Vinyl needs no painting or staining and wipes clean; aluminum won't rust and keeps sightlines open. Composite is another strong, low-maintenance choice, and it stands up especially well to damp ground near the river.
Can you repair my existing fence instead of replacing it?
Often, yes. We repair posts, panels, gates, and hardware, and we'll give you an honest assessment of whether a repair or a full replacement makes more sense for your fence and your budget.
Do you handle commercial fencing?
We do. We install commercial chain link, ornamental steel and aluminum, high-security and industrial fencing, automated gates, access control, and dumpster enclosures, with detailed proposals and scheduling built around your operations. Larger projects can be completed in phases.
Des Plaines City Clerk
1420 Miner St • Des Plaines, IL 60016
Phone: 847-391-5300
Website: City of Des Plaines Permit Applications
Last updated: September 2, 2026
Materials We Trust
Modern composite fencing that is durable, pest resistant, waterproof, and highly customizable.
We rely on the most trusted name in architectural metal fencing.
Bufftech vinyl fence is made with carefully selected ingredients designed to increase durability and long-term performance.
Long-lasting PVC and vinyl fences in an array of elegant styles.
D&D sets the standard for secure, easy-to-use fence hardware.
Economy Iron designs, and builds ornamental iron to last a lifetime.
Our metals and coatings are chosen first for their endurance.
Our high-performance EverGuard® vinyl fence systems are recognized for their long-lasting durability and beautiful design.
Premium materials for industrial, commercial, and high-security installations.
Enjoy the look of wrought iron fencing without the cost or upkeep.
Manufacturing your vinyl fence materials since 2004.
For lightweight aluminum fencing with the look of iron, choose Ultra.
Our easy-to-build railing kits provide safety and high quality at a more reasonable price.
