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Fence Installation in Downers Grove
First Fence Company is a residential and commercial fence contractor based in Hillside, IL, serving Downers Grove since 1989 with fence installation, repair, and gate services.
Downers Grove was named for a grove, a stand of old-growth bur oaks that once rose out of the open savanna and gave the first settlers their landmark. Almost two centuries later, Downers Grove is still a village of shaded streets, deep established lots, and yards that have had decades to grow in. That character is what makes fencing here its own kind of project. A fence in Downers Grove rarely goes into a blank, flat yard. It goes in around mature root systems, along property lines that have shifted with old plantings, and up against homes that range from 1920s downtown bungalows to newer builds on the south end near I-55.
First Fence Company installs, replaces, and repairs residential and commercial fencing throughout Downers Grove, and we've been doing this kind of work across Chicagoland since 1989. Our headquarters sits just up the road in Hillside, so Downers Grove is comfortably inside the territory our crews cover week in and week out. For fences built to sit right on an established lot, we're the fence company local homeowners and businesses call.
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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.
Fence Installation Built for Established Lots
Most of the fence installations we do in Downers Grove are a replacement, not a first-ever fence. A lot of these yards already have a tired cedar fence from twenty years ago, a rusting chain link line, or a boundary that was never really fenced at all. That changes the job. Before we set a single post, we're reading the lot to determine where the mature trees sit, where old root flare will fight a post hole, how the grade rolls, and where the real property line runs versus where the old fence drifted to. Getting that right is the difference between a fence that looks like it belongs and one that looks like it was forced in.
As a full-service fence contractor, we handle new fence installation, full fence replacement, gate installation, and repairs. Whether you're closing off the yard for the first time, tearing out something that's past saving, or matching a new run to fencing you already have, our fence builders will lay out an approach that fits your lot and your budget.
Residential Fences in Downers Grove
We carry more than 100 styles of fencing, and we're intentionally selective about the materials we install. Here's a quick look at the residential options Downers Grove homeowners ask for most.
Wood Fences
Western Red Cedar is the only wood we install for our wood fencing. It's naturally rot- and insect-resistant, it takes stain beautifully, and it holds up to Illinois winters far better than most homeowners expect. It's a natural fit for Downers Grove's older, tree-lined blocks, where a warm wood privacy fence reads as part of the neighborhood rather than a break from it.
Vinyl (PVC) Fences
Vinyl is for the homeowner who wants a fence that requires little to no maintenance. These fences require no staining, sealing, or repainting, just a rinse with the hose to look new. Our vinyl systems come in privacy, semi-privacy, and picket styles and a range of colors, and they shrug off moisture and sun without fading the way older PVC used to.
Composite Fences
Composite gives you the look of wood grain with almost none of the upkeep. It's durable, pest-resistant, and waterproof, and it's a strong pick for homeowners who want something a little different from the cedar-and-vinyl mix that dominates most blocks.
Chain Link Fences
Chain link is the practical, cost-effective way to enclose a yard, a garden, or a dog run. It's low-maintenance and long-lasting, and with a black or green vinyl-coated finish, it recedes into the landscape far more than the bare galvanized look most people picture. Downers Grove restricts chain link in street and corner yards, so it's best suited to side and rear yards.
Aluminum Fences
Aluminum fencing gives you the elegant, wrought-iron look at a fraction of the cost and with essentially no upkeep. It's powder-coated for a durable, scratch-resistant finish, comes in flat-top, spear-top, and staggered-spear styles, and racks to follow Downers Grove's rolling grades without leaving awkward gaps at the bottom. It's a favorite for front yards, pool surrounds, and anywhere you want to define a space without closing off the view.
Ornamental Steel Fences
When you want more strength and presence than aluminum, ornamental steel delivers a heavier, more substantial look while keeping that classic open-picket elegance. It's an excellent choice for homeowners who want security and curb appeal in one line.
Iron Fences
For a genuinely timeless, high-end statement, our iron fencing brings the craftsmanship and detail that suits the village's older, character-rich homes. Ornamental iron is built to last a lifetime and is easy to customize.
Custom-Designed Fences
If nothing off the shelf fits your vision, or your lot, we design and build custom fencing to match your home's architecture, your landscaping, and the specific quirks of a mature Downers Grove property. Custom gates and mixed-material designs are all on the table.
Gate Installation in Downers Grove, IL
A gate is the part of a fence you touch every day, so it's the part worth getting right. We install walk gates, double-drive gates for vehicles, and matching gates across every material we carry. For families and pool owners, we install self-closing, self-latching hardware with latches set out of a small child's reach. On established lots where a driveway or path meets the fence line, we'll size and hang the gate, so it swings clean and latches square for years.
Fencing for Families, Dogs, and Pools
A lot of Downers Grove fence projects come down to either keeping something in, or something out.
For parents, the goal is a yard where kids can play without a constant eye on the street. We build to eliminate the gaps and wobbly gates that make a yard feel only half-secure, and we set self-latching hardware high enough that toddlers can't reach it.
For dog owners, the right fence depends entirely on the dog. A jumper needs height and a small dog needs pickets spaced tight enough that it can't slip through. Downers Grove backs up to real green spaces like Lyman Woods, Hidden Lake, and the forest preserves along the DuPage River which is wonderful right up until a coyote or a curious raccoon wanders through. A solid, well-set fence is the simplest way to keep your dog secure in your yard.
For pool owners, safety and code come first. In Downers Grove, pool enclosures fall under the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code the village has adopted, and a compliant barrier with a self-closing, self-latching gate is part of the pool permit process. Aluminum is the popular choice here because it meets code, resists rust and keeps sightlines to the water open. We do not install removable mesh pool fencing.
Commercial Fencing in Downers Grove
Downers Grove is as much a business town as a residential suburb with the Ogden Avenue and Butterfield Road corridors, the office and research campuses out toward I-88, the downtown commercial district, and everything served along Ogden and 75th. First Fence handles commercial and specialty fencing across all of it.
Industrial & Recreational Fencing
Perimeter chain link, ornamental steel, and high-security fencing for warehouses, lots, campuses, and recreational facilities, built to hold up to heavy use.
Access Control & Gates
Automated and manual gate systems, controlled entry, and operators to manage vehicle and pedestrian traffic at your site.
Dumpster & Equipment Enclosures
Screening enclosures that keep a property tidy and meet the village's screening requirements for retail, restaurants, and multi-tenant properties.
Commercial Repairs
Truck hit the gate? Storm take out a section of perimeter fence? We handle commercial repairs and can work around your operating hours to keep disruption down.
For property managers and HOAs, we provide detailed written proposals, full insurance documentation, and the option to phase larger projects so the work fits your budget cycle and your board's approval calendar.
Fence Repair & Replacement
Not every fence needs to come down. When you call us about a leaning section, a rotted post, a gate that won't latch, or wind damage after a storm, you'll get a straight assessment of whether a repair will hold or whether replacement is the better value, not a reflexive push to tear everything out. Downers Grove's mature trees are a genuine asset, but they also mean falling limbs and heaving roots, which are two of the most common reasons we get repair calls. If a fence repair makes sense, we'll do it. If it doesn't, we'll tell you why.
Downers Grove Fence Permits & Village Code
Downers Grove requires a permit for essentially any new or replacement fence, and the rules are more specific than a lot of homeowners expect. Here are some important points to consider:
- Height in side and rear yards: Fences in side and rear yards can be up to 6 feet. Where a residential lot backs up to a non-residential district, a closed fence up to 8 feet is allowed in those side and rear yards.
- Height in front (street) and corner yards: Open design fences in front and corner yards can be up to 4 feet. "Open design" has a specific meaning here; posts and elements no wider than 6 inches, with at least 50% open area spread evenly across the fence. That's your split-rail and spaced-picket look; it specifically excludes chain link, shadow box, and woven mesh.
- Chain link in the front: Generally not permitted in street or corner yards, with narrow exceptions for certain corner lots.
- Finished side out: Posts and structural elements must face your property, with the finished (good) side facing your neighbors and the street.
- Corner-lot visibility: On corner lots, nothing may obstruct the sight triangle; a 35-foot triangle measured from the corner where the two street lines meet.
- No barbed or electrified wire in residential districts.
- Permit validity: A fence permit is good for 6 months, and first review typically runs about 10 business days through the village's online portal.
First Fence can help you prepare your fence permit application by providing the drawings, marking up your property survey, and telling you what the village requires.
Fence rules change, and specific figures like permit fees are set in the village's fee schedule. Confirm the current details with the Village of Downers Grove Community Development Department.
Why Downers Grove Chooses First Fence
- Family-owned since 1989: We have spent more than three decades building fences across Chicagoland and grown mostly on word-of-mouth and repeat customers.
- We know these lots: Mature trees, established property lines, and a mix of 1920s and modern homes are what our crews are used to.
- Materials we stand behind: We offer a range of quality materials including cedar, vinyl, composite, aluminum, ornamental steel, iron, and chain link from trusted manufacturers.
- Honest guidance: You can expect a straight read on repair versus replacement, and no upsell to material you don't need.
- Fully insured, with real proposals: The documentation, communication, and phasing that commercial clients and property managers need.
Get a Free Fence Estimate in Downers Grove
Whether you're replacing a worn-out cedar fence downtown, closing off the yard for a new puppy, enclosing a pool, or securing a commercial site along Ogden or Butterfield, First Fence Company is your trusted local fencing contractor. Let's build something that fits your Downers Grove property and lasts for years.
Request your free estimate or call 708-547-7555 today.
Fencing Services in Downers Grove FAQs
Do I need a permit to install a fence in Downers Grove?
Yes. The Village of Downers Grove requires a permit before you erect or alter almost any fence. You'll typically submit a fence application, a plat of survey with the proposed fence marked, and details on height, location, and material to the Community Development Department. First Fence can prepare the drawings and material details and help you put the application together. We assist with the process, though the permit itself is issued in the property owner's name.
How tall can my fence be in Downers Grove?
In side and rear yards, up to 6 feet. In front (street) and corner yards, open-design fences are limited to 4 feet. If your residential lot backs up to a non-residential district, a closed fence up to 8 feet is allowed in the side and rear yards. Because the details depend on your specific lot, we'll confirm what applies before we design your fence.
Can I put a chain link fence in my front yard in Downers Grove?
Generally, no. The village prohibits chain link and woven mesh in street and corner yards, with only narrow exceptions on certain corner lots. Chain link is well suited to side and rear yards, where it's a practical, low-maintenance choice, and a vinyl-coated finish helps it blend in.
Which way does the finished side of the fence have to face?
Toward your neighbors and the street. Downers Grove requires that posts and structural elements sit on the side facing your own property, so the finished "good" side faces outward.
Can you install a fence around mature trees and established landscaping?
Yes, it's one of the most common things we do here. We lay out post placement to work around mature root systems and grade changes so the fence sits cleanly on an established lot rather than fighting it.
Do you install pool fencing that meets Downers Grove's requirements?
Yes. We install code-compliant pool enclosures with self-closing, self-latching gates as part of the village's pool permit process. Aluminum is a popular choice because it meets code, resists rust, and keeps your view of the pool open. We do not install removable mesh pool fencing.
Areas We Serve Near Downers Grove, IL
First Fence Company also serves nearby DuPage and Cook County communities, such as:
Village of Downers Grove Village Hall
801 Burlington Ave • Downers Grove, IL 60515
Phone: 630-434-5500
Website: Village of Downers Grove Permits
Last updated: August 17, 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.