Farm fencing is far too often treated as something that only has a functional purpose, and its potential aesthetic value is treated as an afterthought.
4 Reasons to Choose a Chain Link vs. Wooden Fence for Your High Desert Home
If you live in the High Desert area and you are considering installing a fence, you may be wondering what kind is best. Today we’ll look at chain link and wooden fences, and explain why a chain link fence is often cheaper and better than a wood fence.
Top Reasons Chain Link Fences Are Better
There are many reasons a chain link fence beats a wooden fence. Let’s look at the top four.
Installation Cost
One top concern for many homeowners, and one reason our free estimates are so popular, is always cost. In general, installation costs for a chain link fence are far lower than a wooden fence that covers the same area, although this can change depending on the fence type.
Maintenance Cost
Maintenance costs are a key concern when considering chain link vs. wooden fence designs.
Wooden fences need periodic cleaning and fresh paint to protect the wood as well as sealant to block moisture.
Chain link fences do not require treating, staining, or painting. Once you install a chain link fence it will retain its appearance for years, much longer than a wooden fence, unless it is damaged. It can’t really pick up dirt, and if it gets covered with grass clippings due to nearby mowing you can just hose it down.
This lower cost of maintenance is often the deciding factor in choosing a chain link fence vs. a wooden fence.
Durability
A metal chain link fence is cheaper than wood because it is harder to damage. Many environmental factors that make the High Desert unique can damage wood but do not affect galvanized steel fencing.
Temperature Changes
We go through a wide range of temperatures daily and seasonally in the High Desert area. This forces building materials to expand in the heat and contract in the cold.
When it comes to expansion and contraction damage in a chain link fence vs. a wooden fence, the latter will show damage much sooner. Thermal cycles can make posts and panels loose and may weaken your fence. Chain link fences are largely immune to this effect.
Storm Damage
Storms bring wind and rain. Water makes wood swell, and that can loosen posts, panels, and rails. This can damage paint, creating microscopic cracks that attract pollen, algae, and dust that stain the finish. This can’t happen with chain link fencing.
Wood panels and rails can catch the wind. High winds can damage a wooden fence while having no effect on a chain link fence nearby. This can mean a surprise jump in the cost of maintaining a wooden fence vs. a chain link fence.
Other Elements
In addition to temperature changes and storm damage, rot, mold, and termites can destroy wooden fences even if they’ve been treated.
Privacy and Visibility
If you want to see into or through your fenced area, then a chain link fence is cheaper than having a wooden fence and installing security cameras to see into the area or around it.
If you want privacy, then a privacy chain link fence will suit your needs. This type of chain link fence has slats that provide 98% privacy. Our privacy chain link fences also come with larger diameter posts as well as posts that are closer together with a larger diameter top rail to ensure that they withstand the High Desert climate.
Still Wondering?
Do you have additional concerns that may affect your choice of a chain link fence vs. a wooden fence? We can help. We’ve been installing and servicing fences throughout the High Desert area for over 30 years, including Hesperia, Apple Valley, Oak Hills, Phelan, Victorville, Barstow, and more! Contact our customer service or call our Hesperia office today at (760) 948-2428 for a free estimate.
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