home improvement
Outdoors
in the municipality
By
Lee Wallender
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/headshots_FINAL_lee-wallender-739d21a7b6ed4aa1b895c684e193494c.png "How to add privacy with a chain link fence (1)")
Lee Wallender
Lee has more than two decades of hands-on home improvement, repair, and home improvement experience, and has been providing home improvement consulting for over 13 years.
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Updated 6/7/22
reviewed by
kelly bacon
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/headshots_FINAL_kelly-bacon-b04a376ed3864da887ed85eaa89e3dd4.png "How to add privacy with a chain link fence (2)")
reviewed bykelly bacon
Kelly Bacon is a licensed general contractor with over 40 years of experience building, constructing, and renovating homes and commercial buildings. He is a member of the Spruce Home Improvement Review Board.
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fact verified byalejandra kay
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/FullBambooCoveringFence-5b2da6f8a9d4f90037e81508.jpg "How to add privacy with a chain link fence (3)")
wire fencesthey are a functional way to close off an outdoor space. They are known for their durability and strength. In terms of home security, the lack of privacy is definitely an advantage, as it is important to keep sight lines open to the street.
But this fence style is not known for its privacy or aesthetically pleasing properties. In addition to being an inexpensive and effective method of keeping pets and children safe, chain link is sometimes considered a garden pest. In fact, some communities even prohibit wire fencing in built-up residential areas.
Replacing the wire fence with a solid fence is always an option. However, if you try to remove such a fence, then you may encounter difficulties. Whenchain link installation, the posts are buried deep and held firmly in place with concrete anchors, like the roots of a sturdy tree. Removal is even more difficult because metal posts are filled with concrete and can be difficult to cut. Once you delete posts, the chain link itself is heavy and often difficult to dispose of.
Instead ofbuilding a privacy fenceor removing the wire fence, an easier and much lower cost alternative is to upgrade the fence to a polished look with plenty of privacy. Options range from traditional wire fencing slats and mesh to bamboo, reed, and wood fencing panels.
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Ripas close to current rating
Since wire fencing allows long, narrow pieces to be inserted vertically, why not make a whole fence out of it? That's the idea behind this classic method of dressing wire fences. These individual clips slide off the top and stay in place without any means of fastening. The slats are made of high density polyethylene or aluminum.
Ten linear feet of chain link slats that are 6 feet tall run about $90 to $110. Installation is a breeze.
Chain link slats are extremely durable and can last for decades. Fences built more than fifty years ago still stand and provide cover. When the slats are damaged, they can be replaced one by one.
Slats are often considered unattractive. Privacy coverage is low, offering only 75-80% visual blockage. The cost can be surprisingly high. As the slats must be slid in one at a time, installation is slow and tedious.
benefits
ACCESSIBLE
very durable
Contras
incomplete privacy
slow installation
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full bamboo screens
The coiled bamboo fence is constructed from attached posts that range in thickness from 3/4 inch to 2 inches. Complete bamboo post screens can be installed on a chain-link fence by tying it directly to the rails and posts with one-foot-long pieces of 16-gauge wire.
Choose poles cut at the bamboo knots, as these work better than poles with exposed ends. Knots act as natural weather resistant tops.
Full bamboo screens are very attractive and look natural. Coverage is a decent 85 percent. If you want to give your home and garden a fun tropical feel,bamboo screensthey are a great way to start.
Bamboo is only moderately durable. Tough and insidious as a growing plant, bamboo that is not treated quickly turns silvery brown and then begins to develop long vertical cracks.
As far as organic decking goes, full bamboo is relatively durable. But as with any organic material left unattended, it will slowly deteriorate unless continuously maintained. Complete bamboo screens are a special order item, mostly found online or at specialty garden centers.
benefits
Attractive
Natural
Contras
Doesn't last long if left untreated.
Caro
(Video) EASY! How to Install Privacy Screen on Chain Link Fence03from 05
reed screens
Thin bamboo stalks the thickness of a straw are woven into mats 8 to 16 feet long. These rolls are easy to load and transport from the home improvement store. Reed screens are usually installed vertically.
Reed screens offer approximately 85% privacy when new. As the screen crumbles, privacy is also reduced. Reed shades are very inexpensive and most home centers have them on their shelves. If you need to cover your wire fence in one day, reed screens are quick to pop up and attach.
A 6-foot by 16-foot roll of reed screen costs about $28 to $35.
Reed screens remain attractive for a year or two. After that, the reeds turn from golden brown to gray and begin to fall off the wire fabric. Cane screens are a good quick fix, but a bad choice in the long run.
benefits
ACCESSIBLE
Quick and easy to install
Contras
deteriorates quickly
Quickly change color
(Video) How to Turn a Chain Link Fence Into a Privacy Fence04from 05
Mesh windshield/privacy screen
At first glance, the mesh windshield looks like a canvas. But canvas is a poor choice for fencing because it catches the wind and acts like a sail. On the other hand, a mesh privacy screen is made for fencing.
Mesh privacy screen is water and wind permeable; It has a double thick border around the perimeter and has brass grommets on the edge so you can secure it to the chain link with cable ties. Privacy ranges from 80 to 96 percent, depending on how much you're willing to spend.
Mesh screening is very durable. As this is a non-organic UV rated polypropylene, it should last for many years, longer than any organic product. But, due to its woven construction and dark color, the elements will eventually get the better of this material.
Mesh screening is the lowest cost solution of all those listed here. Lowerprivacy screens(85 percent block) are the least expensive. Screens with 96% blocking cost 50% more.
Mesh privacy screens are more about utility than beauty. Since they are often used in industrial areas, schools, tennis courts and swimming pools, they don't work well in most homes, at least from an aesthetic point of view.
benefits
Nearly 100% privacy screens available
Affordable coverage for large areas
Contras
Basic look and utility.
Dark colors succumb to UV rays faster
Continue with 5 out of 5 below.
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wooden fence panels
Regularwooden fence panelscan be screwed into wire fencing using U-brackets. Since these panels are pre-built in a factory, there is no need to nail the boards individually. You will need access to the back of the wire fence to attach the panels to the fence.
(Video) Wood Fence Over Wire Fence or Chain Link Fence | HANDYBROS |Advice
In addition to regular fencing, a trick to preserving wood fencing panels in the long term is to avoid contact with the ground. When the wooden panels touch the ground, water is absorbed by the wood.
Durability is usually excellent. If you use cedar, this wood is naturally weather resistant as it is very oily. Any wood species can be sprayed with sealer to extend its life. Privacy coverage is high (about 90%). This is one of the few options that will make your wire fence look completely different. With all the other options, the chain link is still visible in some places.
A single panel of wood fence that is 6 feet high and 8 feet long costs between $145 and $160. Since fence panels are very heavy (about 160 pounds) and unwieldy, you will need a large truck and an attendant to help you collect the panels, or you will need to pay for home delivery.
you may needobtain a fence licenseFor placing fencing panels in front of wire fences. There are no hardware kits or systems to help you do the conversion, so you'll need to be pretty crafty and creative to make this option work. Furthermore, fence panels are very heavy and unwieldy; Two people are required to handle these panels.
benefits
good for privacy
It looks like a real wooden fence.
Contras
Large heavy fence panels
Not easy to install on chain link poles.
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but ofthe fir
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