[67drake]

Anyone ever put in a chain link fence with no top rail? Anyway other way to prevent it from flopping over at the top in the long run?
A lady in my town is putting a fence up and wants to use chain link and no rail. I’ve seen it done before, and it always looked bad, especially after a year or two. There is nothing I can find in the ordinances that specifically a top rail needs to be used. I know she is on a tight budget, so I was wondering if there is another way I’m not familiar with to keep the top straight?
Thanks for any suggestions.

[fyrffytr1]

The only way I know of would be to put in more line posts so the span would be less but that would cost as much or more than top posts.

[gto4evr]

I guess you could run another tension wire along the top like at the bottom. It would help, but obviously not support it like a top rail.

[Tim john]

If she is on a "tight budget", are you in a position to help her, perhaps a few neighbors could pitch in to help her out finiancially and then everyone benefits. She gets her fence and it stays robust and looks the same thus, not an eye sore for everyone else.

Tim john---

[dhcarguy]

how about zip tie iron pipe to the top and spray them with silver paint.

[burd]

A,out of homeowners put up all kinds of crazy fence, they don’t know how to run a string and cut panels, do it rite or you will be looking at the mess for 30 years.

[fyrffytr1]

How much fencing is she wanting to put up? Top rail looks to be the least expensive part of the fence.

[67drake]

Originally Posted by burd

A,out of homeowners put up all kinds of crazy fence, they don’t know how to run a string and cut panels, do it rite or you will be looking at the mess for 30 years.

Exactly. But since no ordinance, I can’t make her do it right. I’m the zoning administrator in my village, so I do have some say if it specifies in the book.

I’ll talk to her and see if she can swing a top rail, if possible. I actually wouldn’t mind helping her out with a few bucks if it’s that cheap.
Thanks for the tips.

['ol Pinion head]

In the snotty suburban Hellhole S of me, homeowners often take down perfectly good galvanized chain link fence down & pay to have obscenely expensive custom select cedar fences constructed. Years ago, built quite a few such fences, all premium cedar, most '7 4" tall, as well as many that were 8 ft tall.

Would think someone like the woman in question could get on FakeBook or the NextDoor babble site & find someone to either go and pickup nice straight top rails & caps from, or possibly cheaply buy these pieces. Most of these pieces that get taken down, don't get repurposed.

[newmexguy]

Yep I've sold a few items on the nextdoor babble site. A ton of gossip/drama there. Think they have some sort of "filter" to weed out most of it, but a lot still gets through.

[Chris65LeMans]

As a kid, I learned that the chain link fences with no toprail are the hardest to climb. As an adult I wouldn't even try it, although I do hop a toprail fence every so often.

[67drake]

Well, talked to the lady yesterday and explained that the fence would look a lot better and last longer with a top rail. Sounds like she’s just going to go ahead with the top rail. It will alleviate a lot of headaches and complaints. Thanks for the input guys

[Formulabruce]

The top rail is just a thin strap. Its Galvanized, but can't cost too much