Black Vinyl-Coated Chain Link Fence in West Chester, PA

Stand at the back of a wooded lot in East Bradford and look toward the tree line. A galvanized fence catches the light and draws a bright line across the view; a black coated fence nearly disappears against the trunks and shade. That difference is the whole reason this material exists. 76 FENCE West Chester installs black vinyl-coated chain link for homes, schools and businesses across West Chester, PA.

Why does black chain link seem to disappear?

Dark, matte surfaces reflect much less light than bright zinc, so your eye reads past the fence to whatever is behind it.

That matters most where the fence crosses a view: a backyard bordering a meadow, a lot line along woods, or a pasture edge seen from the porch. It also matters to neighbors, which is why black coated fabric is sometimes approved by associations that will not accept galvanized. The coating is typically bonded over a galvanized steel wire, so you keep the strength of chain link underneath.

How does black coated compare with galvanized?

For the plain galvanized option and published cost ranges, see galvanized chain link.

Where does black chain link work well around West Chester?

On larger, greener lots and anywhere the fence should not compete with the landscape.

• Wooded rear lot lines in townships west and south of the borough.
• Dog yards that back onto preserved land or HOA open space.
• Tennis courts, play areas and school grounds.
• Garden enclosures where a solid fence would shade the beds.
• Commercial frontages that need security without an industrial look.

Pair it with a matching black gate and black posts so the whole line reads as one. Our dog fence page covers heights and dig guards.

Can you put black chain link near Brandywine Creek?

Possibly, but streamside lots have extra rules. Both East Bradford and Chadds Ford keep new construction back 50 feet from the top of a stream bank, and a fence inside a FEMA floodway is restricted because floodwater piles debris against it.

East Bradford’s fence page references those floodway limits, and an open mesh fence is less likely to catch debris than a solid one, but the location still has to work. If your yard runs down to the Brandywine or one of its tributaries, see fences near streams and the East Bradford page before you settle on a line.

Does black chain link meet pool code?

It can. The 2018 ISPSC accepts chain link around a pool if the openings are 1¾ inches or smaller, the fence stands 48 inches or taller, and the gate swings out from the pool and shuts and latches by itself. Smaller-mesh fabric is available when you want an even harder-to-climb surface. Full details are in our PA pool fence code guide.

Will your HOA accept black chain link?

Sometimes, and more often than galvanized. Association guidelines typically address height, material, color and style. Some townships, Uwchlan among them, ask for an HOA approval letter as part of the fence permit, so the association’s answer has to come first. We work with you and your HOA to gather approvals; see HOA approval.

Can black chain link keep deer out of a garden?

Not at typical residential heights. Deer clear a 5- or 6-ft fence without much effort, and the WeConservePA deer management handbook says exclusion fencing should be 8 to 12 feet high.

That runs into the 6-ft side and rear yard cap found in many townships, so an 8-ft garden enclosure may need a permit or a variance; check with your township first. Where a tall fence is allowed, black mesh on taller posts is a common approach because it is hard to see from the house. Our deer fence page covers heights, layouts and alternatives such as fencing only the vegetable beds.

How long will it last?

Typical guidance for chain link is 15 to 20 years or more. A rinse once a year, a clear strip along the base, and posts set to your township’s frost depth are what keep it straight and black.