Short answer: the most effective way to add privacy to a chain link fence is privacy slats woven into the mesh. Standard bottom lock and top lock slats give about 75 percent privacy, and winged or hedge-style slats give about 90 to 95 percent, according to the manufacturer. Screens and fabric covers are cheaper and faster, but they catch wind and wear out sooner. If you are building new, a black coated fence with slats looks far better than bare galvanized.
We install chain link, with and without slats, across the Portland area, and it is one of the fence types covered on our Portland fence contractors page. This guide covers the privacy side.
How much privacy do chain link slats give?
It depends on the slat style. These are the manufacturer ratings for PDS slats from Pexco, one of the largest makers.
| Slat style | Privacy | What it looks like |
|---|---|---|
| Bottom lock or top lock | About 75% | Flat vertical slats locked in a channel at the bottom or top. The classic look |
| Winged slats | About 90% | Slats with flexible wings that close the diamond gaps in the mesh |
| Hedge-style slats | About 95% | Slats with polyethylene leaves that look like a hedge from a distance |
Real privacy also depends on the mesh size and how tight the fence is stretched, so a sagging fence will show more gaps than the rating suggests. Slats come in a range of colors. Black, green and brown blend into a yard best.
Slats, screens or fabric: which is best?
| Option | Good | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy slats | Woven into the mesh, long-lasting, up to about 95% privacy | Best installed on a tight, well-built fence |
| Privacy screen or fabric | Quick to hang, easy to remove | Acts like a sail in wind, which stresses the posts, and the fabric wears out |
| Reed or bamboo rolls | Natural look | Short life in Portland rain |
| Plants on the fence | Softest look, no extra material | Takes seasons to fill in, and vines add weight to the fabric |
Wind is the part people underestimate. Chain link lets wind pass straight through, which is part of why it stands up so well. Anything that closes the mesh, slats included, adds wind load, and a solid fabric screen adds the most. A fence planned for slats from the start gets posts and framework sized for it.
Is galvanized or black chain link better?
Both are galvanized underneath. Standard chain link is zinc-coated steel, and a color-coated system adds a polyester and PVC coat over the zinc, which gives two layers of corrosion protection. Master Halco backs its colored chain link systems with a 15-year limited product warranty. Black is the most popular color because it reads as a shadow rather than a fence, so the yard behind it stands out instead of the metal. Galvanized is the lower-cost choice for a utility run where looks do not matter.
What makes a chain link fence last?
- A top rail to keep the fabric straight and carry the load between posts.
- A bottom rail or tension wire along the ground, so the mesh cannot be pushed out at the base by dogs or drifting leaves.
- Heavier wire on high-traffic runs. We offer commercial-grade builds with top and bottom rails and thicker-gauge wire.
- Posts set in concrete and a fence stretched tight, which also makes slats look better.
Chain link is also one of the most practical dog fences, as long as the base is closed off. Our dog fence guide covers height, climbing and digging.
Do you need a permit for a chain link fence in Portland?
Not up to 8 feet. Inside the City of Portland, chain link and woven wire fences need no building permit up to 8 feet. Zoning still applies, so a chain link fence in the front setback is limited to 3 feet 6 inches. Gresham does not allow barbed ends on top of link fencing at homes, and several suburbs set their own height limits.
Want chain link with privacy built in?
We install galvanized and black chain link with top rails, bottom rails and privacy slats across the Portland area. Free on-site quote.
Licensed, bonded and insured · Every installer has 5+ years of fence experience · Workmanship warranty on every install
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you add privacy slats to an existing chain link fence?
Yes, as long as the fence is in good shape and stretched tight. Slats on a sagging fence look uneven and give less privacy than their rating.
Do privacy slats make a chain link fence catch the wind?
Yes, more than bare mesh, because they close most of the openings. A fence planned for slats should have posts and a top rail sized for the extra load.
What color chain link looks best?
Black is the most popular because it nearly disappears against a yard. Green blends into hedges and lawns. Plain galvanized is the lowest-cost choice where looks do not matter.
Is chain link cheaper than wood?
Usually, per foot. Adding privacy slats narrows the gap, and a wood privacy fence gives a more finished look.
Still deciding between the two? We compare them head to head in wood fence vs chain link.
Sources
Gorilla Works proudly serves Portland, Gresham, Beaverton, Hillsboro, Tigard, Lake Oswego, Happy Valley, Milwaukie, Troutdale, Vancouver WA, and Camas WA. Call (971) 343-4964 or request a chain link fence quote.
