Chain Link Fence Terms - Economy Fence Tampa

Chain link fencing is a popular choice for both residential and commercial properties due to its durability and cost-effectiveness. However, with any type of fencing, there are a variety of terms and components that may be unfamiliar to those who are not experts in the field. In this article, we list the terms used terms in chain link fencing in case you have any questions.

Aluminized: Aluminized chain link fabric is coated with aluminum using a hot dip process before weaving. This produces a much smoother finish than galvanized wire and aluminized chain link will be much more corrosion resistant.
Barb: The bard is the pointy part of barbed wire. The barb will be a short length of wire wound around the main wire with sharp, exposed ends.
Barbed tape: Barbed tape is also known as concertina wire or razor wire, is a type of fencing material made up of sharp, pointed metal blades or barbs that are attached to a flat wire or ribbon. It is commonly used as a security barrier to deter intruders, as the barbs make it difficult to climb or cut through.
Barbed wire: Barbed wire is made by twisting two or more wires together, with sharp barbs made of steel wire attached to the main wire at regular intervals. The barbs are usually made by twisting or stamping them from sheet metal, and then attach them to the main wire with a machine. Also referred to as “barb wire” or “bob wire”.
Barbed wire arm: A barbed wire arm is a type of post fitting used for securing barbed wire in place. It can be mounted vertically or at an angle, and is designed to hold multiple strands of barbed wire. Some barbed wire arms are “V” shaped, allowing them to support even more strands of wire.
Barbed wire arm base: Barned wire arm base is a type of casting, made from materials such as aluminum, malleable iron, or steel, that is used in conjunction with one or two extension arms for holding barbed wire in place. The extension arms are typically secured to the base using a bolt and nut.
Barbed wire extension arm: A barbed wire extension arm is a tool made of pressed aluminum or galvanized steel, which is used in combination with a barbed wire arm base to secure barbed wire in place. It can be used to hold 3 strands of barbed wire vertically or at an angle. When used in pairs, it forms a “V” shape which allows it to hold 6 strands of barbed wire.
Bottom protective plate: A bottom protective plate is a safety feature designed for use with a specific type of gate called a Type II, Class 1, cantilever slide gate. It is installed on the gate to protect the lower roller mechanism and reduce the risk of contact with it by people. The plate serves as a barrier to isolate the roller mechanism and prevent accidental contact.
Bottom rail: The bottom rail is the horizontal component that runs along the bottom edge of a fence. It is a member of the fence’s framework and serves as the base for the fence’s structure. It runs continuously along the bottom edge of the fence, providing stability and support to the fence.
Boulevard clamp: A boulevard clamp is used to connect two rails together at a 180-degree angle. It’s composed of two pieces and it uses carriage bolts and nuts to secure the connection. It’s designed for horizontal rail connections to a line post, also known as a line rail clamp, and it’s commonly used to connect rails in a fence system.
Brace band: A base band is a strip of metal that is symmetrically formed to fit around a post. It is used with a carriage bolt and nut to attach the rail end or brace rail end truss rod tightener to the post. It can also be used for attaching barbed wire, tension wire, and other items to a terminal post. This device is used to provide stability and support to the fence structure by attaching different fence components to the post securely.
Brace rail: A brace rail is a component that is used to provide stability and support to the fence structure. It is typically placed at the terminal posts or corner posts and acts as a compression member. It is used to prevent the fence from swaying or bending and helps to keep the fence upright and stable.
Brace rail end: A brace rail end is a cup-shaped fitting that is similar to a rail end, but with an added provision for attaching a truss rod. It is typically used at the ends of brace rails to provide additional stability and support to the fence structure.
Cantilever slide gate: A cantilever slide gate is a type of horizontal slide gate that spans an opening without any support on the top or bottom of the opening. The gate is supported by a roller mechanism, which allows it to slide horizontally, opening and closing the opening.
Center stop: A center stop is a device that is used to hold and secure the drop bar on a double gate. It is typically installed in the center of the gate and serves as a stopping point for the drop bar, preventing it from moving or sliding out of place. It helps to keep the gate securely closed and allows for smooth operation of the gate.
Corner barbed wire arm: A corner barbed wire arm is a type of post cap and fitting that is used to secure barbed wire in place on a corner post. It can be angled in or out from the fence line, and is designed to hold multiple strands of barbed wire. Some corner barbed wire arms are “V” shaped, allowing them to support even more strands of wire. It is a specialized version of barbed wire arm that is designed for corner post and helps to secure the barbed wire in a specific position.
Corner post: A corner post is a terminal post that marks the change of direction of the fence line in two or more directions. It is a post that is placed at the intersection of two or more fence lines, and helps to secure the fence in place and keep it upright. It is an important structural component of the fence and serves as a support for the fence line as it changes direction.
Corner rail clamp: A corner rail clamp is a type of clamp that is used to connect two rails together at a 90-degree angle, specifically at a corner post. It’s composed of two pieces and it uses carriage bolts and nuts to secure the connection. The clamp is used to connect horizontal rails to a 90-degree corner post, providing stability and support to the fence.
Diamond: A diamond is the opening formed by the woven wires in chain link fence fabric. It’s the pattern that results from the intersection of the vertical and horizontal wires in a chain-link fence.
Diamond count: The diamond count is the number of diamond-shaped openings that can be found in a given length of chain-link fence fabric. It is determined by counting the number of completed diamonds from one edge of the fabric to the other. The count starts with the first complete diamond at one edge and continues to the last full or half-finished diamond at the other edge. The diamond count is an important factor in determining the mesh size and overall strength of a chain-link fence.
Double drive gate: The double drive gate is made up of two leaves and is used to close a gate opening through which vehicles pass. This type of gate is intended for vehicular traffic and can be of various types such as a double swing gate, slide gate or other types. It is a gate that consists of two leaves that move in unison to open or close the gate opening. It’s typically used to secure an area with vehicular access, providing a barrier while allowing the passage of cars or other vehicles.
Drop bar: A drop bard is a component of a double gate latch assembly. It is also known as a drop rod. It is typically used in conjunction with a gate latch to keep the gate securely closed. The drop bar is placed in a center stop or other device that holds it in place and prevents it from moving or sliding out of place. It is an important part of the gate latch assembly that ensures the gate remains securely closed.
End post: An end post is the terminal post that marks the end of a line of fence. It is the last post in a series of posts that support the fence. It serves as a support for the fence and helps to keep it upright and stable.
End rail clamp: An end rail clamp is a type of clamp that is used to connect a horizontal rail to an end post. It is composed of two pieces and uses a carriage bolt and nut to secure the connection. It is designed to connect the horizontal rail securely to the end post and provide stability and support to the fence structure.
Fabric: Fabric in the context of chain-link fencing, refers to the material used to make the fence. It is made by winding wire helically and interweaving it in a way that creates a continuous mesh without knots or ties. The only exception to this is in the form of knuckling or twisting the ends of the wires to form the selvages of the fabric. It is the material that forms the diamond pattern in the chain-link fence, providing a barrier while allowing visibility through the fence. Also referred to as “chain link mesh”.
Flange: A flange is the plate or casting that is used to secure a post to a floor or a horizontal rail to a wall. It provides a secure connection between the post or rail and the floor or wall.
Frame hinge: A frame hinge is a fitting that attaches to the gate frame and works in conjunction with the post hinge. It’s used to connect the gate frame to the post and allows the gate to swing open and close.
Framework: The framework is the basic structure that supports the installed fabric in a chain-link fence. It consists of the posts, rails, and tension wire. It provides the support and stability needed to keep the fence upright and secure. The posts, rails, and tension wire work together to hold the fabric in place and keep it taut.
Galvanized: Describing something that is coated with zinc to protect it from corrosion.
Galvanized after weaving: In chain link fabric, it refers to the steel fabric that is coated with zinc after weaving, providing protection against corrosion.
Galvanized before weaving: In chain link fabric, it refers to fabric that is woven from steel wire that has been coated with zinc before weaving, providing protection against corrosion.
Gate: A gate is a movable barrier that is placed in a fence opening, also called a gate opening, which allows the opening to be closed. It’s a device that controls the access to a specific area or to block off an opening.
Gate clip: A gate clip is a fitting made of galvanized pressed steel or pressed aluminum that is designed to secure chain link fabric to the vertical sides of a gate frame. It helps to hold the fabric in place and provides a secure connection between the fabric and the gate frame.
Gate frame: The gate frame refers to the structural member(s) of the gate, these are the components that give the gate its shape and provide support to the gate.
Gate holdback or keeper: A gate holdback or keeper is a device that is used to hold a gate leaf in an open position. It is used to keep the gate open and prevent it from closing accidentally.
Gate latch: A gate latch is a fitting that is used to hold the gate in place when it is closed. It is a mechanism that keeps the gate securely closed and prevents it from opening accidentally.
Gate leaf: A gate leaf is a component of a swing gate that consists of a gate frame covered with chain link fabric and/or other material. It’s the actual gate that swings open or closed.
Gate opening: The gate opening refers to the clear distance between the gate posts. It’s the actual opening where the gate leaf moves through. It’s the space that the gate is intended to close or open.
Gate post: A gate post is the post to which a gate is attached via hinges. It may also be used as a terminal post. It’s a structural component of the gate that supports the gate leaf and allows it to swing open or close.
Gate transom: A gate transom is a panel of chain link fabric that is placed over the top of a gate opening. It is framed with top and bottom rail, and is typically used in tennis court fences to provide additional security and privacy.
Height: In chain-link fencing, height refers to the distance before stretching from one outer edge of a knuckle or twist to the outer edge of the knuckle or twist on the opposite edge of fabric. It is a measure of the height of the fence.
Hinge pin: A hinge pin is an upright pivot that is used to connect the gate frame hinge to the post hinge. It allows the gate to swing open or close. It is an important component of the hinge mechanism of the gate.
Hog ring: A hog ring is a preformed open wire clip designed to close up into a ring to secure chain link fabric to horizontal tension wire. It is used to attach the fabric to the tension wire, providing added stability to the fence.
Intermediate rail: An intermediate rail is a horizontal member of the framework that runs continuously at any point between the top and bottom of the fence. Also referred to as a “middle rail”.
Knuckle: A knuckle is the selvage that is formed by interlocking adjacent pairs of wire ends and bending the wire back into a loop. It is found at the edges of the chain-link fabric and is a characteristic feature of the material.
Line post: A line post is an intermediate post in a fence line that supports the top rail or tension wire and barb arm, where applicable. It is an important structural component of the fence that helps to keep the fence upright and secure. Line posts are placed along the length of the fence and provide support to the top rail or tension wire, as well as the barb arm if present.
Line post cap: A line post cap is a cap or top that has a loop used to position the top rail or tension wire on top of the line posts. It is used to secure the top rail or tension wire in place and provide stability to the fence.
Line rail clamp: See boulevard clamp, it’s a two-piece clamp with carriage bolts and nuts designed for horizontal rail connections to a line post.
Loop cap: See line post cap, it’s a cap or top with a loop used to position the top rail or tension wire on top of the line posts.
Marcelling: Marcelling is a process where a uniform helix or a series of waves are put in a wire to facilitate tensioning the wire when installed to support the top or bottom or both, of the chain link fence fabric. This process is used in tension wire to provide added stability to the fence and keep the fabric taut.
Mesh: In chain link fabric, the mesh refers to the clear distance between parallel wires that form a diamond shape. It is the space between the wires that allows visibility through the fence.
Middle rail: See intermediate rail, it’s a horizontal member of the framework running continuously at any point between the top and bottom of the fence. It provides additional support to the fence and helps to keep it upright and stable.
Offset hinge: An offset hinge is a swing gate hinge that permits the gate to swing 180° from the closed to the open position. It allows the gate to swing open in a different direction than the normal hinge, providing more flexibility in the gate’s movement.
Overhead slide gate: An overhead slide gate is any horizontal slide gate that is supported only from above. It is designed to move along the top of the opening rather than on the ground, it’s typically used in places with limited space or where the gate opening is elevated.
Pedestrian gate: A pedestrian gate is a gate that is usually made up of a single leaf and is used to close a gate opening through which pedestrians are intended to pass. It may be a swing gate, slide gate or any other single leaf gate that is intended for pedestrian use. It is designed to allow people to pass through while blocking off the area to vehicles or other unauthorized access.
Panel clamp: A panel clamp is a two-piece clamp with a carriage bolt and nut that is designed to secure prefabricated panels on free-standing enclosures. It’s used to connect prefabricated panels together to form a complete enclosure and provides a secure connection between the panels. It is an important component of free-standing enclosures, helping to keep the panels securely in place and providing stability to the structure.
Picket: A picket is a helically formed steel wire that is interwoven in the manufacture of chain link fabric or used for field splicing rolls of fabric into continuous chain link mesh from terminal post to terminal post. It is a component of chain link fabric that provides stability to the fence and helps to keep the fabric taut.
Polymer coating: A polymer coating is a term used to describe color coatings such as PVC (polyvinyl chloride), polyester, and clear coatings such as polyurethane and acrylic urethane. These coatings are applied to chain link fences to provide protection against corrosion, UV rays, and to improve the appearance of the fence.
Post cap: A post cap is a fitting that is placed atop a post, usually to exclude water from tubular posts. It is a cover that is placed on the top of the post, which helps to keep water out of the post and prevent it from rusting.
Post hinge: A post hinge is a fitting that attaches to the gate post. The pintle of which fits the frame hinge permitting the gate to swing. It is an important component of the gate that allows the gate leaf to swing open and close. It attaches to the gate post and connects to the frame hinge, providing support for the gate leaf and allowing it to move freely.
Pull post: A pull post is a terminal post that is used in a line of fence to brace a long stretch or to effect a change in elevation along the fence line. It is used to provide additional support to the fence, especially in areas where the fence needs to span a longer distance or where the fence needs to change elevation.
PVC: PVC stands for polyvinyl chloride, which is a coating that can be applied to fence materials to provide protection against corrosion, UV rays, and to improve the appearance of the fence.
Rail end: A rail end is a cup-shaped fitting that is used with a brace band to connect the top rail or brace to a post. It is an important component of the fence that provides a secure connection between the rail and post, helping to keep the fence upright and stable.
Rail end band: See brace band, it’s a symmetrically formed strip of metal shaped to fit around a post and used with a carriage bolt and nut to attach the rail end or brace rail end truss rod tightener to the post. Also used for attaching barbed wire, tension wire, and other items to a terminal post.
Scroll: A scroll is a decorative ornament that is placed on top of a gate. It is used to add a decorative touch to the gate and make it more visually appealing.
Selvage: Selvage refers to the edge finish on woven chain link fabric joining pairs of pickets. It is the finished edge of the fabric that helps to keep the fabric stable and prevents it from unraveling. The selvage may be knuckled or twisted, which are two different ways of securing the edge of the fabric.
Sleeve, post: A sleeve, post is a specified length of tube or pipe that is set into a concrete wall, grade beam, or slab, into which fence posts are later placed. It is used to provide a secure foundation for the fence posts, helping to keep the fence upright and stable.
Sleeve, top rail: A sleeve, top rail is a fitting that is used to join two pieces of top rail when a swedged top rail is not used. It is a component that connects two pieces of top rail together, providing added stability and support to the fence.
Stretching: Stretching refers to the process of putting tension on the fabric of a chain-link fence to make it hang uniformly along the line of fence between terminal posts. This process is important for ensuring that the fence is straight and that the fabric is taut, which helps to keep the fence upright and stable.
Swedge: A swedge is the formed end of a piece of top rail so that it will fit into and join another piece of top rail. It is a process where the end of the rail is shaped in a specific way, allowing it to fit snugly into the end of another rail, creating a secure connection between the two pieces of rail. This technique is used to join two pieces of top rail together without the need for additional fittings such as sleeves.
Swing gate: A swing gate is a gate leaf that is attached to one gate post using hinges, which allows the gate leaf to open or close by pivoting on the hinges and to the opposite gate post or another gate leaf with a latch or other device. Swing gates can be single-leaf or double-leaf gates that are designed to swing open and closed to allow or restrict access to an area.
Tension band: A tension band is an offset strip of metal that is shaped to fit around the terminal post and used with a carriage bolt and nut to attach the tension bar to the post. It is an important component of the fence that helps to keep the fabric taut and provides added stability to the fence.
Tension bar: A tension bar is the bar used with tension bands or other post connectors to secure the fabric to a terminal post. It is a component of the fence that helps to keep the fabric taut and provides added stability to the fence.
Tension wire: Tension wire is a wire, with or without a marcelled pattern, typically used along the top of a chain link fence in place of a top rail and along the bottom of a chain link fence for additional security. It is a wire that is used to provide additional tension and stability to the fence, helping to keep the fabric taut and preventing the fence from sagging. It is also known as “coil spring wire”.
Terminal post: A terminal post is the basic load-bearing component for a line of fence. It is the post to or from which the fabric is stretched, and it may be an end post, gate post, corner post, or pull post. It is an important component of the fence as it provides the foundation for the entire fence line.
Tie: A tie is a wire, clip, or band used to attach the fabric to the top rail and line posts.
Top rail: The top rail is the horizontal member of the framework that runs from terminal post to terminal post on top of the line posts.
Top roller guard: A top roller guard is a safety device that is installed on a Type II, Class 1, cantilever slide gate with external rollers. It is designed to isolate the upper roller mechanism and reduce the possibility of contact with the roller mechanism by a person.
Truss rod: A truss rod is a tension rod that is used for bracing in gates and at terminal posts. It may have threads at one or both ends or contain a tightener or turnbuckle for adjusting tension.
Truss rod tightener: A truss rod tightener is a tightening device that is used with an adjusting nut and a truss rod. It is used to adjust the tension of the truss rod to ensure that the gate or fence is stable and secure.
Turnbuckle: A turnbuckle is a tightening device that has left-hand and right-hand threads at opposite ends. It is used with a truss rod to adjust tension and keep the gate or fence stable and secure.
Twist: A twist is a type of selvage obtained by twisting adjacent pairs of wire ends together in a close helix of 1.5 machine turns, which is equivalent to three full twists. This is a common method used in the manufacturing of chain link fabric to create a clean and sturdy edge finish.
Vehicular gate: A vehicular gate is a structure used to close a gate opening through which vehicles are intended to pass. It can be of various types, such as swing gate, slide gate or others, but it must be designed to withstand the weight and movement of vehicles.
Zn-5Al-MM: Zn-5Al-MM is an abbreviation describing an alloy of zinc, 5% aluminum, and mischmetal, which is employed as a metallic coating over steel wire or steel sheet used in the manufacture of chain link fabric, fence framework materials, and other products. It’s a type of galvanizing which is used to improve the corrosion resistance and durability of the fence.