Chain Link Fences in the Rio Grande Valley, TX
A bottom tension wire keeps your dog from pushing the mesh out and crawling under. If you plan privacy slats later, we tighten the post spacing from the start.
Chain link is the lowest cost fence per linear foot and the fastest to install. We set terminal posts at 2 3/8 inch and line posts at 1 5/8 inch, spaced 10 feet apart. Mesh comes in 9 or 11 gauge, and the heavier wire is what makes it last.
What the job includes02
What a fencing job with us includes
Chain link is mostly metal and air, so wind is not what takes it down. It fails at the fittings. Rain and sprinkler water sit in the loops and caps, and the galvanizing wears off there first. On the coast, in Los Fresnos and Port Isabel, salt gets into those same spots within a few years. Vinyl coated or aluminized mesh is the version that survives there.
- —Galvanized or vinyl coated mesh in 4, 5 or 6 foot heights
- —Terminal, corner and gate posts at 2 3/8 inch, line posts at 1 5/8 inch
- —Line posts every 10 feet, each one set 24 inches deep in concrete
- —Top rail run through all the line posts and sleeved at each joint
- —Tension bands, brace bands and a tension bar at every terminal post
- —Bottom tension wire, so a dog cannot push the mesh out and crawl under
- —Mesh stretched with a come along until the diamonds sit square
- —The mesh has pulled away from a terminal post and the diamonds sag
- —Rust flaking off the loop caps and the top rail joints
- —A bent top rail where a branch came down on it
- —A gate that drops and has to be lifted to latch
- —Line posts leaning the same direction along a whole run
Price range03
How much does fencing cost in the Rio Grande Valley?
1 day for 200 linear feet of 4 foot residential chain link
Half a day for a dog run. Three days for a lot with several gates and corners.
Which material holds up best in Valley weather?
| Material | Holds up because | Watch out for | Best for | Lasts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galvanized mesh, 11 gauge | The standard residential roll, and the cheapest way to close a yard | The thinnest wire we will install, and it dents where a mower hits it | Side yards and back lots where the fence is a boundary, not a barrier | 15 to 20 years inland |
| Galvanized mesh, 9 gauge | At 0.148 inches, it is noticeably stiffer than the 0.120 inch residential wire | Heavier to stretch, so labor per linear foot goes up | Dog runs, shops, lots and anywhere something leans on the fence | 20 to 25 years inland |
| Vinyl coated mesh | The coating seals the wire and the black or green disappears against a hedge | Once the coating is cut, water gets underneath and works along the wire | Front facing runs and homes near salt air in Cameron County | 20 to 25 years |
How we work this job04
How does the job actually run?
A written estimate before anything starts, a start date we commit to, and one person responsible from the first walkthrough to the last inspection.
- 01We measure and count the cornersDavid walks the line in linear feet and marks every end, corner and gate. Those posts are what move the price.Day 1
- 02Terminal posts first, then line postsEnds and corners get set and braced first so the run has something to pull against. Line posts follow at 10 foot spacing.Build day 1
- 03Top rail and tension wireThe rail runs through the line post caps and gets sleeved at the joints. The bottom tension wire goes on before any mesh.Build day 1
- 04Mesh stretched, tied and gates hungThe fabric is stretched with a come along and tied every 12 to 24 inches. Gates are hung and adjusted last.Build day 2
From the build site05
Which homes has David Aceves helped build?
Homes built by Cuates Construction, with David Aceves on the build. Look at the property edges, the ironwork and the concrete at the lot line: David plans a fencing job with that same eye.
Questions we get06
Questions homeowners ask us about this work
What gauge chain link should I buy?
Lower gauge means thicker wire. Nine gauge measures 0.148 inches and 11 gauge measures 0.120. The 11.5 gauge sold in big box rolls is thinner still, at 0.113. For a yard boundary 11 gauge is enough. For a dog run, a shop or anything a person leans on, pay for 9.
Galvanized or vinyl coated mesh?
Galvanized costs less per linear foot and shows every diamond. Vinyl coated adds a sealed skin over the wire and disappears against grass or a hedge. That is why it goes on front facing runs. Near salt air the coating buys you real years, not just looks.
How far apart do chain link posts go?
Ten feet between line posts is the standard, and closer where the ground rolls or the wind funnels. Line posts are 1 5/8 inch pipe. Ends, corners and gate posts step up to 2 3/8 inch. Those are the posts that carry the tension of the stretched mesh.
Can privacy slats be added to a chain link fence later?
Yes, and it is worth deciding before we build. Slats turn an open fence into a solid one, which means wind stops passing through and starts pushing. If slats are in your plan, we tighten the post spacing and set the posts deeper from the start.
Will a chain link fence keep my dog in the yard?
It will if the bottom is handled. Most dogs get out by pushing the mesh out at ground level and crawling under, not by jumping. A bottom tension wire pinned to the fabric closes that gap. For a digger, we can bury the mesh a few inches below grade.
A remodeling contractor based in Rio Grande City, working across the four Valley counties. The team is led by David Aceves, whose background is building custom homes, from the slab and the framing to the finish work.
Last reviewed: · More about Aceves Home Remodeling
Let us talk07