Chain Link Fence Gauge: How Can I Choose the Ideal Model for my Needs?

If you follow the QS Fences blog, you already know that the gauge size is one of the items to be analyzed before hitting the hammer as to the ideal chain link fence model for each case, right? If not, click here to see which items are most important.

Anyway, that’s exactly what we’re going to talk about in this article: how to choose the ideal gauge according to your needs. So if you’re in the process of choosing your fence, keep reading to get a better understanding of the subject.

What is Gauge Anyway?

Gauge is a measure of the thickness of the metal wire used in making the fence. That is, the thicker this wire, the more robust and resistant the fence will be. Thinner wire makes lighter and more fragile fences. Something that is interesting to note is that the thickness of the wire is expressed in numbers, but the higher number indicates thinner wires, that is, a fence made with 9 gauge wire is lighter and more fragile than one made with 6 gauge wire.

Also, these wires are usually braided in a way to form a diamond pattern – the smaller these diamonds are, the stronger and more resistant this fence will be.

How to Choose the Ideal Gauge for my Fence?

This question is relative – the answer to it depends on a number of factors, such as:

– Where will this fence be installed: is security your main goal? Or you just want to demarcate territory or even divide land?

– What kind of property will it surround? Is it a house or residential building? A commercial building? An industry?

– Will this fence be subject to shocks (like sports court fences, for example, which are often hit by balls)?

And it’s important to have these answers when choosing your fence because, as you can imagine, the more strong and robust a fence is (that is, the thicker the fence wire and the lower the gauge number), the more expensive it will be. After all, more material is used to manufacture it.

The most resistant chain link fences are those made with wire 1 (or even in the zero houses). For the vast majority of cases, this type of fence is overkill. In general, 8 or 9 gauge is sufficient for a strong, secure fence – this is usually the option for most commercial buildings and sports courts.

If your main objective is just to make an internal division in a lot or to surround a residence, the ideal is to choose fences with higher gauges, such as 11 or 12, for example. Gauge 11, inclusive, is among the most used ones.

In summary, in general for installation in homes, the most indicated gauges are from 9 to 11. For commercial buildings, the most indicated are from 6 to 9. But a professional can help you to better evaluate your case and arrive at the option that is more cost-effective for you, that is, that offers enough security without you spending more than necessary.

Chain Link Fences in Vancouver

And if you need help in this department, please contact us and we can help you. QS Fencing specializes in chain link fences and has qualified professionals to answer your questions and help you with whatever you need. To request a free quote, click here.