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Fence Company in River Forest, IL
First Fence Company is a residential and commercial fence contractor based in Hillside, IL, serving River Forest since 1989 with fence installation, repair, and gate services.
Few Chicago suburbs wear their history quite as openly as River Forest. Tucked along the eastern bank of the Des Plaines River in just 2.4 square miles, the village is known for its Prairie School and 19th-century homes including Frank Lloyd Wright's Winslow House on Auvergne Place, the block after block of turn-of-the-century architecture along Keystone Avenue, the leafy stretches near Thatcher Woods. Fencing here isn't an afterthought. It frames a front walk, closes off a back garden, and either complements a home's character or works against it.
That's the balance First Fence has helped River Forest homeowners strike for decades. As a fence company and fence contractor serving Chicagoland since 1989, we design and install fences that suit both the property and the neighborhood, and when the village's code calls for it, the historic streetscape too. Whether you're enclosing a backyard for the kids and the dog, securing a pool, or refreshing the look of an older home before you list it, our fence installers build to a standard that holds up.
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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.
Residential Fence Installation in River Forest
Because River Forest properties range from compact lots near the Green Line terminus to larger homes backing up to the forest preserve, we start every residential fence installation the same way, by understanding what you're trying to accomplish. From there, we help you choose the material and style that fits your home, your budget, and the village's rules. Here's a quick look at the fences we build.
Custom-Designed Fences
Not every yard fits a catalog. When a lot is irregular, a home has strong architectural lines, or you simply want something distinctive, our team designs a fence around your property rather than forcing your property to fit a fence. This is often the right starting point for River Forest's older and architecturally significant homes.
Wood Fences
We build our wood fences from Western Red Cedar. It's a naturally beautiful, dimensionally stable wood that weathers gracefully and takes stain well when you want to control the color. A wood fence in River Forest suits everything from a private rear yard to a picket line along a side garden.
Vinyl (PVC) Fences
If your goal is "I never want to touch it," vinyl is worth a look. It won't need staining or sealing, it wipes clean, and it holds its color season after season. Our vinyl fence installation covers privacy panels, semi-private styles, and picket designs, so you get low maintenance without giving up the look you want.
Composite Fences
Modern composite fencing is durable, pest resistant, and waterproof, with a rich finish and plenty of customization. It's a strong middle ground for homeowners who want the substance of wood with far less upkeep.
Chain Link Fences
Practical, economical, and long-lasting, chain link is a dependable way to define a boundary, create a dog run, or close off a yard without blocking the view. It's also a common choice along back property lines and for phased projects where you want function first.
Aluminum Fences
Aluminum gives you the ornamental, wrought-iron look without the weight or the maintenance, and it comes in several grades and styles. It's a natural fit for front yards and pool surrounds, and it's often the material River Forest's front-yard rules point you toward.
Ornamental Steel Fences
For a stronger, more substantial ornamental look, powder-coated steel delivers presence and durability. It pairs well with masonry piers and formal landscaping, and it's a frequent choice for the village's larger and more traditional homes.
Wrought Iron Fences
Classic wrought iron brings an unmistakable, timeless character that complements River Forest's historic architecture beautifully. It's the detail-oriented option for homeowners who want their fence to read as part of the home's design.
Commercial Fence Contractor in River Forest, IL
River Forest is largely residential, but it's also home to institutions like Dominican University and Concordia University Chicago, along with the businesses and multi-family properties that serve them. Our commercial fence installation covers the practical needs of these properties including perimeter security, controlled access, screening, and durable enclosures that stand up to daily use.
Industrial & Recreational Fencing
From perimeter fencing and dumpster enclosures to ball fields and play areas, we build commercial-grade fencing designed for heavier demands and longer runs.
Access Control
Automated gates, controlled-entry systems, and secure pedestrian gates help manage who comes and goes. We coordinate the fencing and the gate hardware, so they work as one system.
Security Fences
When the priority is keeping a property protected, our security fencing options combine height, strength, and anti-climb design without turning the property into an eyesore.
For property managers and commercial owners, we're happy to prepare detailed proposals, phase larger projects around your operations, and keep communication clear from the estimate through the final walkthrough.
Specialty Fences & Gates
Beyond standard installations, we handle the details that make a project feel finished: custom driveway and pedestrian gate installation, pool enclosures, trellises, pergolas, and custom woodworking. If you have something specific in mind, it's worth a conversation, we've built a lot of unique projects over the years.
Pool Fence Installation in River Forest
A pool changes the equation. Pool fencing in River Forest is tied to the swimming pool permit process, and the fence must satisfy safety requirements around height, gaps, and self-closing, self-latching gates. Aluminum and ornamental steel are popular choices because they meet those requirements while keeping the pool visible from the house. We'll design a pool fence that clears inspection and still looks like it belongs. We do not install removable mesh pool fencing.
Fence Repair & Replacement in River Forest
Not every job is a new fence. Storms roll through, posts loosen, gates stop latching, and older fences simply reach the end of their run. Our fence repair service covers post replacement, panel swaps, gate adjustments, straightening a leaning line, and cleaning up storm damage. When a repair no longer makes sense, we'll tell you honestly and walk you through fence replacement options, matching an existing style where we can, or helping you upgrade to something that lasts longer. Either way, you'll get a straight answer rather than an automatic push toward the bigger job.
River Forest Fence Permits: What to Know
River Forest requires a permit for any new fence and for substantial changes to an existing one, and the village's rules are more specific than most, largely to protect the character of its streets. A few things worth knowing before you start:
- A permit is required: Applications and contractor licensing are handled online through the village's portal at riverforest.onlama.com.
- The application needs specifics: Provide specific information that includes the fence type, its height, width, and length, and a sketch showing exactly where it will sit on your lot.
- Height limits: Generally, up to 7 feet above established grade, but any portion above 6 feet must be at least 50% open for view. Front-yard fences are limited to 6 feet, must be at least 80% open, and are required to be fabricated metal, which is why so many River Forest front yards feature ornamental aluminum, steel, or iron rather than solid panels.
- Placement: Your fence posts and postholes must sit entirely on your own property.
- Inspection and display: The village inspects before approving, and your permit has to be posted and visible on-site during the work.
- Corner lots: These lots carry additional rules, so it's worth confirming those early if you're on one.
We can help you meet the village's requirements by preparing the fence details and sketch your application needs and registering as your licensed contractor. But we don't handle every step for you, you must file through the village's online portal and see the application through. We make sure the fencing is done right and the paperwork reflects it, then point you to the River Forest Building Department for the final word.
Why River Forest Homeowners Choose First Fence Company
Since 1989, we've grown into one of Chicagoland's most recognized fence companies by providing quality materials, skilled installation, and clear communication so you're never left wondering what happens next. We carry more than 100 styles, we build for the long term, and we treat every customer as an individual. If you're looking for the best fence company in River Forest for installation, replacement, or repair, we'd be glad to earn the job.
Ready for a free fence estimate in River Forest, IL? Call 708-547-7555 or request your free quote online. Let's build something that suits your home.
Fencing Services in River Forest FAQs
Do I need a permit to install a fence in River Forest?
Yes. River Forest requires a permit for any new fence and for substantial changes to an existing one. The application asks for the fence type, its height, width, and length, and a sketch of where it will sit on your lot, and it's submitted through the village's online portal. We can help prepare the fencing details and register as your contractor, though the homeowner completes the application itself.
Why do so many River Forest front-yard fences use metal?
The village requires front-yard fences to be fabricated metal, limited to 6 feet, and at least 80% open for view. That's why ornamental aluminum, steel, and wrought iron are so common out front, they satisfy the code while suiting the village's historic architecture. Solid privacy panels generally aren't permitted in the front yard.
What's the tallest fence I can build in River Forest?
Generally, up to 7 feet above established grade in a rear yard, but any portion above 6 feet has to be at least 50% open for view. Front yards are capped at 6 feet. Because the details matter, and corner lots have extra rules, we confirm the specifics with the River Forest Building Department for your particular property.
We back up to Thatcher Woods and get a lot of wildlife. Can a fence help?
It can help with closing off the yard, so it feels contained and defined for your family and pets. Properties near the forest preserve and the Des Plaines River see their share of coyotes, deer, and smaller critters, and the right height and bottom detail make a real difference. We'll match the design to what you're dealing with.
Can you match a fence to an older or historic home?
Yes, this is one of the things we enjoy most in River Forest. Between custom-designed fences, wrought iron, and ornamental steel, we can build something that reads as part of a Prairie School, Victorian, or Craftsman home rather than an add-on. Custom design is often the best starting point for architecturally significant properties.
Areas We Serve Near River Forest, IL
First Fence Company also serves nearby DuPage and Cook County communities, such as:
Village of River Forest Town Hall
400 Park Ave • River Forest, IL 60305
Phone: 708-366-8500
Website: Village of River Forest 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.