Posts
Posts are the vertical or upright poles that the rest of the fence is built around. These are typically anchored in the ground and placed around 6-10 feet apart, though it can vary by the fence.
Top Rail
This is the horizontal rail that runs across the top of the fence.
Loop Caps
These are toppers for the posts with a loop that the top rail is inserted into. These are placed on all of the interior posts.
Post Caps
Post caps are simply a decorative topper that covers the top of the end posts and make the fence look more finished and professional.
Mesh
This is the actual chain link part of the fence. The mesh is hung between the posts to create the fence.
Gauge
This refers to the thickness of the wire used to make up the mesh. A smaller number means a thinner wire, while a bigger number indicates a thicker wire.
Galvanized
This is a type of finish that the mesh can come in. All chain link fences are made of metal, but they come in different finishes. Galvanized chain link is probably what you are most familiar with. It simply means a protective coating of zinc is applied to the metal to make it more durable and rust-resistant.
Vinyl Coated
Vinyl coating is another type of finish. The metal is coated in vinyl in order to protect it. This vinyl can come in a variety of colors, so these chain link fences are not the silver color you would expect.
Galvanized Chain Link
Vinyl Coated Chain Link
Selvage
Selvage refers to how the excess wire is finished off at the top of the fence. The two common types of selvage are knuckle and twist. In knuckle selvage, the excess wire is folded over, forming what looks like a knuckle. In twist selvage, the wire is twisted together to finish it off.
Knuckle Selvage
Twist Selvage
Slats
Slats can be inserted into the chain link mesh in order to add privacy and decoration. There are a wide variety of slats available, offering different degrees of privacy.
Different Types of Slats
