Nearly 40 Years of
Fencing Experience
100% Workmanship
Guaranteed
Member, American
Fence Association
Most Chain Link Fails at the Post—We Install Them Differently.
Chain link does what most fences promise to do. It defines property lines, contains pets, and holds up well in Eastern North Carolina weather with very little maintenance. But when chain-link fencing fails, it usually starts at the post.
Fence Craft installs galvanized and black vinyl-coated chain link for residential properties across Nash, Wilson, Edgecombe, and surrounding counties. We bring the same installation standards here as we do to every fence: post depth matched to the soil, hardware matched to the load, and footings built to stay put.
Fence Craft installs chain-link fences throughout Eastern North Carolina, including Rocky Mount, Nashville, Wilson, Tarboro, Zebulon, and surrounding communities.
Built for Eastern North Carolina Conditions
Chain link is durable. But it fails when it is not installed for the soil and climate it lives in.
Clay soil across Nash, Wilson, and Edgecombe counties holds moisture and shifts with the seasons. Posts set too shallow will move. A shifted post means a leaning fence, a gate that will not latch, and mesh that sags.
Humidity affects hardware as much as the wire. Galvanized chain link protects the steel with a zinc coating, while black vinyl-coated chain link adds a PVC barrier over the galvanized core. In both cases, the fittings—tension bands, brace bands, and rail ends—are where failures typically first appear. This is especially true when a fence builder rushes an installation.
What we account for on every installation:
- Post depth matched to soil conditions—terminal posts set deeper than line posts
- Concrete footings with drainage crowns to shed water away from the base
- Wire gauge selected based on intended use• Top rail, tension wire, and brace bands set for fence height and span
A Third-Generation Fencing Family Based in Nash County
Fence Craft is owned and operated by Roy Garner, based in Rocky Mount, NC. Roy has been in the fencing trade for nearly 40 years. Fence Craft opened in May 2021.
The fence company is family-run. Roy’s daughter, Bridget Garner Brunelle, manages the office. Her husband, Nole Brunelle, runs field operations. Roy’s brother, Bill Garner, handles special projects.
Fence Craft is a member of the American Fence Association—the national trade body that sets installation standards and professional practices for the fencing industry.
“We build relationships and fencing, too.”
Residential Chain Link Fencing: What We Install
We install residential chain link for homeowners across Eastern NC. Every installation is backed by our 100% workmanship guarantee.
Galvanized
Chain Link
The most common choice for residential property fencing. Galvanized steel chain link is zinc-coated during manufacturing, which protects the wire from corrosion. It holds up well in Eastern NC conditions and needs no repainting or recoating over time.
Black Vinyl-Coated Chain Link
A cleaner look with added protection. Vinyl-coated chain link starts with a galvanized core, then adds a PVC layer over the wire. It blends into landscaping better than bare galvanized steel and holds up well in humid conditions. A common choice for established neighborhoods where appearance matters alongside function.
Chain Link with Privacy Slats or Windscreen
Chain link can be fitted with privacy slats or windscreen fabric to reduce visibility and wind exposure. Common for backyard enclosures, pool surrounds, and side-yard runs. See our Privacy & Windscreens page for full details.
Pet and Dog Containment Fencing
Chain link is one of the most reliable containment options for dogs. Height, wire gauge, and post depth all factor into how well it holds.
For large or active breeds, heavier gauge wire is typically the better choice. For a standard yard dog or a smaller property, lighter-gauge performs well and costs less. We size the fence based on the dog and the yard — not a one-size spec.
Gate hardware is selected with regular use in mind. If a gate fails repeatedly, it’s usually an installation issue rather than a product problem.
How Chain Link Actually Performs in Eastern North Carolina
Terminal Posts vs. Line Posts
Not all chain link posts carry the same load. Terminal posts — corner, end, and gate posts — hold the tension of the mesh fabric. They need deeper footings and wider concrete bases than standard line posts.
In clay soil, a terminal post set at line-post depth will move. When it moves, the mesh loses tension, the fence sags, and gate alignment fails. We set terminal posts and gate posts with that load in mind from the start.
Wire Gauge and What It Means
Gauge is counterintuitive — a lower number means thicker, stronger wire. 9-gauge is heavier than 11-gauge. For pet containment and active-use yards, heavier gauge is typically the right call. For a property boundary fence with lighter use, standard gauge works well. The mesh size for most residential installations is 2 inches — small enough to deter climbing, open enough to maintain visibility.
Corrosion and Humidity
Eastern NC averages over 50 inches of rainfall per year and humidity that regularly exceeds 80% in summer. Galvanized chain link handles this well. The zinc coating gradually protects the steel underneath by corroding first. This sacrificial coating protects the steel underneath from rust.
Vinyl-coated chain link adds a PVC barrier that blocks moisture contact entirely. Both options perform well here. Where failures tend to appear is at the fittings — tension bands, brace bands, rail ends — when they are undersized or incorrectly secured.
Workmanship Guarantee
Our workmanship is guaranteed 100%. If a post shifts, a gate falls out of alignment, or mesh loses tension because of how we installed it, we fix it. Manufacturer warranties cover materials. We cover the work.
How We Install Chain Link Fencing: 3 Steps
No surprises. Just the fence we said we would build, installed the way it should be.
1
Assessment
& Planning
We assess terrain, soil, drainage, and grade. We confirm boundaries, flag permit requirements, and walk through gauge, height, and gate options. No surprises when we quote.
2
Build With
Structural Integrity
Terminal posts set deeper than line posts. Concrete footings with drainage crowns. Mesh stretched and tied correctly. Gate hardware matched to weight and use. Every component is installed for the long term.
3
Final
Walkthrough
We walk the fence with you. Gates tested. Alignment confirmed. Mesh tension checked. Anything not right gets fixed before we leave.
Chain Link Fence Installations Across Eastern North Carolina
Below are chain link fence installations completed for homeowners across Nash County and the surrounding region.
Permits, Utilities, & Rules Before Chain Link Installation
As a licensed fence contractor, we help confirm regulatory requirements for your address before installation begins. Most homeowners in Eastern North Carolina run into one of four situations. Here is how each one works.
Fence Permits: Inside City Limits vs. Unincorporated County
North Carolina has no statewide fence permit requirement. Whether you need a permit depends on your municipality.
Within the City of Rocky Mount, fence installations that exceed height limits or encroach on setback zones typically require a zoning permit through Rocky Mount Planning & Zoning. The City of Wilson has its own requirements. Properties in unincorporated Nash, Wilson, or Edgecombe County usually fall under county rules, which differ from city ordinances.
In many municipalities across Eastern NC, front-yard fences are often limited to about four feet, while side and rear yards commonly allow up to six feet. Corner lots may also have sight-line restrictions. These rules are not universal—your specific address determines what applies.
State Road Frontage and NCDOT Right-of-Way
If your property fronts a state-maintained road, the land between your fence line and the pavement may fall within the NCDOT right-of-way. Installing a fence inside that boundary without a formal NCDOT Encroachment Agreement can require removal at the owner’s expense.
As your fence builder, we can assist in confirming road classification and right-of-way setbacks before any posts are marked.
NC 811 — Required Before Every Post
North Carolina General Statute 87-122 requires underground utility marking before any excavation, including fence post installation. We contact NC 811 on every job, without exception.
This protects buried gas lines, water mains, fiber, and electrical infrastructure — and limits the homeowner’s exposure if something goes wrong. The locate request must be placed at least three business days before digging begins.
HOA and Deed Restrictions
HOA rules and deed restrictions apply independently of municipal permits. Some communities in our service area restrict chain link by style, height, or front-yard visibility — regardless of what the city allows.
HOA approval and city permit approval are separate processes. We encourage homeowners to review their HOA rules or deed restrictions before the site visit, so there are no surprises after the job is quoted.
What Homeowners Say About Our Work
Chain Link Fence Installation Across Eastern NC
We’re based just outside Rocky Mount in Nash County. Our crews install chain link fencing regularly across the region:
Nash County
Rocky Mount, Nashville, Red Oak, Dortches, Spring Hope, Bailey, Middlesex, Whitakers, Sharpsburg, Castalia, Momeyer
Wilson County
Wilson, Elm City, Lucama, Stantonsburg, Sims, Black Creek
Edgecombe County
Tarboro, Pinetops, Macclesfield, Princeville, Speed, Conetoe, Leggett
Nearby Areas
Wake Forest, Zebulon, Wendell, Knightdale, Louisburg, Franklinton, Youngsville, Smithfield, Clayton, Roanoke Rapids, Weldon, Enfield, Warrenton, Norlina, Jackson, Rich Square
Not sure if we cover your area? Call us. We will tell you straight.
Ready to Install a Chain Link Fence?
If you’re planning a chain link fence for your property, the first step is a site visit. We’ll look at the terrain, soil conditions, drainage, and layout to recommend the right fence height, wire gauge, and post spacing for your yard.
Most estimates take about 20–30 minutes on site. You’ll receive a clear recommendation and an easy quote.
Call (252) 270-5100 to schedule a site visit.
Schedule a Chain Fence Installation
Prefer to reach out online? Use the contact form. We will follow up promptly to schedule a visit.
Frequently Asked
Fencing Questions
How long does a chain link fence last in Eastern North Carolina?
Properly installed galvanized chain link typically lasts 25 to 35 years. Vinyl-coated lasts longer. What shortens lifespan in Eastern NC is not the wire — it is post movement from clay soil, undersized fittings, and mesh that was never stretched correctly at installation. A fence built right on day one rarely needs anything beyond occasional hardware checks for decades.
What is the difference between a top rail and a tension wire?
A top rail is a continuous horizontal pipe running along the top of the fence — it adds rigidity and keeps the mesh from folding under wind load. A tension wire runs along the bottom, keeping the mesh tight to the ground. Most residential fences use both. For pet containment, a bottom rail is often better than tension wire alone. It’s more difficult for pets to push under and provides better resistance to digging pressure along the fence line.
Why does a chain link fence sag, and how is it prevented?
Sagging almost always traces back to two things: mesh that was not stretched and tied correctly at installation, or terminal posts that have shifted in the soil. Neither is a product failure. Both are installation failures. Properly stretched mesh, correctly set terminal posts, and secure tension bands hold the fence line flat for decades. Once a fence sags, re-tensioning is possible, but it signals a foundation problem worth inspecting.
Does a chain link fence actually contain dogs that dig or climb?
It depends on how it is installed, not just the material. For diggers, a bottom rail is more effective than tension wire. It eliminates the gap at the base and resists pressure from below, providing better support. For climbers, fence height and the absence of horizontal footholds matter. Heavier-gauge wire is harder to push or pull out of shape. We size height, gauge, and bottom treatment based on the dog, not a standard residential spec.
Should I choose galvanized or vinyl-coated chain link for my Eastern NC yard?
For most residential yards in Nash, Wilson, and Edgecombe counties, vinyl-coated is the better long-term choice. Eastern NC’s high humidity and rainfall increase surface oxidation on bare galvanized wire over time. However, a vinyl coating entirely blocks moisture from reaching the wire, preventing oxidation. Galvanized performs well and costs less, but for a front yard, HOA community, or any property where appearance matters, vinyl-coated is typically worth the difference.
