Can You Install a Chain Link Fence On a Slope?

Simple Slope

• When the ground to be fenced is on a simple, continuous slope without small dips and rises, the only adjustment to fence installation occurs at the ends of the chain link fabric where it attaches to the terminal or corner post. The post should always be installed upright. As this would cause the end of the fabric to meet the post at an angle, the fabric must be cut on the bias and the tension bar that attaches fabric to post slid through the mesh parallel to the terminal post.

Uneven Slope

• An uneven slope along the run of a fence offers additional complications. If the ground drops or rises more than 15 inches for every 100 feet, it's necessary to install a new terminal post at the base or apex of each dip or rise. Install the chain link fabric between the terminals as for a simple slope. Small holes and bumps may be addressed by partially burying the bottom of the chain link fabric if the application requires the bottom of the fence to be flush with the ground.

Terraced Ground

• To run chain link fence on terraced ground, position a terminal post close to the base of each terrace step. Measure the height of the terrace step plus the height of the chain link and leave that much of the post exposed above ground. Attach the fence running along the high part of the terrace to the top of the post and the fence running along the low part of the terrace to the bottom of the post.

Aesthetics

• While proper positioning of terminal posts and the use of bias cutting at the end of a fence run allows the installation of chain link fence on most types of ground, the fact remains that chain link looks best when the top of the fence is level and uniform along the length of the run. On uneven ground where aesthetics are a consideration, alternate forms of fencing like wood privacy fence may be a better option.