Instructions / Assembly
T:  Terminal Posts
L:  Line Posts
Property Line
Property Line
Property Line
HOUSE
String over property line
L
T
T T
T
Stakes
Stakes
T T
T
L
L
L
L L L L
Drive GateWalk Gate
4"
4"
String Line
Tap Post 
Down
Raise
Post Up
T e rminal
Post
T e rminal
Post
Line Post Line Post Line Post
Brace Band
Tension Bands
End & Gate 
Post
Corner
Post
Rail End
Eye Top
Swedge End Top Rail
Brace 
Band
Post Cap
Terminal 
Post (end)
Tension Band
Top Rail Sleeve
ADDING OR 
SPLICING FABRIC
From  an  end  of  the  fabric, 
remove a strand of wire.  Join 
the  two  sections  together 
and  wind the  removed  wire 
down  through  the  ends,  in  a 
corkscrew  manner.  Note:  a 
second  strand  of  wire  may 
have  to  be  removed  in  order 
to mesh properly.
REMOVING FABRIC
With  pliers, open  the top  and 
bottom  ends  of  wire  where 
you  wish  to  terminate  or 
remove  fabric.    Unwind  the 
strand  and  twist  through  the 
links  until  the wire  comes  out 
of  the  fabric,  in a  corkscrew  
manner.
Tie Wires
Gate 
Latch
Post 
Hinge
Frame 
Hinge
Gate Opening
Line Post
Terminal Post 
(corner)
(Insert 1 rail end)
Fence 
Strecher
Tension Bar
8"
18" to 30"
18" to 24"
6"
Terminal Post
Hole
Ground
Line Post 
Hole
T e rminal
Post
Line Post
Crayon
Marks
10’ Max.
Terminal
Post
Line
Post
Ground
Crown
Learn more at 
homedepot.com
¢
1
Locate Terminal Posts and Install
(Corner, End and Gate Posts) 
¢
2
Locate Line Posts and Install
¢
3
Install Fittings to Terminal Posts
Before You Start Digging...
IMPORTANT
Determine the boundary lines of the property, insert stakes and stretch string around all 
stakes. Mark locations for all terminal posts (corner, end and gate) and make sure they are 
4” inside property boundaries.  Mark location for each gate post with a stake.  Gates come 
in standard opening widths of: Single Walk - 36”, 39”, 42” and 48”;  Double Drive - 10’ and 
12’. (i.e. if gate opening is 42”, gate post spacing should be exactly 42”, measured between 
inside post surfaces. If opening is 48”, spacing should be exactly 48”. See Step 6). Dig all 
terminal post holes (refer to diagram below for width and depth). 
Mark the ground line on all posts for correct height of fence. The height of the terminal 
posts, above ground, will equal the height of the chain link fabric plus 2”.  The height of the 
line posts will equal the height of the fabric less 2”. Set 
terminal posts in fast setting concrete in center of hole 
keeping ground line at ground level. Use a level to check 
plumb. Crown all post footings so water drains away 
from posts. 
1. Check with local utility company for cables, underground lines, etc.
2. Check local codes regarding height, locations, etc.  A permit may be necessary.
3. Consult plat of survey or professional surveyor to ensure that your fence footings
  are located within your property lines. 
(NOTE: Use 
approximately 
one 50 lb. bag 
of fast setting 
concrete for 
each line post 
hole, and two 50 
lb. bags of fast 
setting concrete 
for each terminal 
post.)
After the  concrete has hardened, stretch a  string (positioned on  the  outside post face) 
between  terminal  posts.    The  string  should  be  4”  below  the  top  of  the  post (see  diagram 
below). Measure the distance between the terminal posts and refer to the Terminal/Line Post 
Spacing Chart on reverse side for positioning of line posts.  With stakes, mark the locations 
of all line posts and align with the centers of the terminal posts.
Dig all holes for line posts (refer 
to  diagram  above  for  width 
and  depth)  and  set  posts  in 
concrete. 
After  concrete  has  hardened 
enough  for  posts  to  remain 
plumb, adjust all line  posts to 
be even  height  with the  string 
by gently moving posts up or 
down  in  the  footings.  (Use  a 
carpenter’s level for accuracy).  
The  outside  faces  of  the  line 
posts should be  1/4” inside the 
string line.
Review the Material Check List on reverse side for descriptions and 
number of fittings required.
After concrete footings have hardened, slip the tension bands over 
terminal posts making sure they are evenly spaced.  The long, flat 
surface should face  the outside of the  fence.  Carefully add brace 
bands  making  sure not  to  bend  or  distort.    Bolt  heads  should  be 
on the outside of the fence and threaded ends inside.  Fit all post 
caps.
¢
4
Install Top Rails
Place an eye top fitting on the end of each line post.  Flat side 
should be toward outside of the fence. Insert one length of top 
rail pipe through an eye top nearest a terminal post. Insert a 
rail end on the top rail and attach to terminal post with a brace 
band. Fasten with a 5/16” x 1-1/4” carriage bolt.  Continue to 
join lengths of top rail by forcing swedged (or crimped) ends of 
top rail together through eye tops.  (If joining non-swedged top 
rail sections, sleeves can be used as pictured below). When next 
terminal post is reached, measure and cut the top rail to fit tightly between the last length 
of top rail and the rail end fastened to the brace band on the terminal post.  Fasten with a 
carriage bolt.
¢
5
Affix and Stretch Chain Link Fabric
Beginning at a terminal post, lay the chain link fabric on the ground and unroll to next terminal 
post.  Unroll enough fabric to cover the opening between the terminal posts.  (See figure below 
for adding and removing fabric). Insert a tension bar through the end of the fabric and attach 
to tension bands which were previously placed on the terminal posts. Fasten (not too tightly) 
with 5/16” x 1-1/4” carriage bolts - heads on the outside of the fence and threaded ends inside.  
Stand the  entire 
fence  section 
upright,  leaning 
against  the 
f r a m e w o r k .  
Loosely  attach 
fabric  to  top  rail 
with  tie  wires  to 
hold in place. 
From  the  terminal  post,  which 
already has fabric attached, stretch 
the fabric  to  the  opposite terminal 
post (see diagram  at  right).    Insert 
a tension bar 4 feet inside the open 
end of the  fabric.  Fasten one end 
of the fence stretcher to the tension 
bar  or  stretcher  bar  and  the  other 
end  to  the  terminal  post.    Stretch 
the  fabric  until  there  is  a  slight 
tension when  squeezed by hand.  
Either  add  or  remove  fabric  for 
exact  length.    Insert  a  tension  bar 
at end and  connect  to  the  tension 
bands on the terminal post.
Remove  fence  stretcher  and  secure 
fabric to top rail with tie wires. Spacing 
should be 24” apart on top rail and 12” 
apart  on line  posts.  Securely  tighten 
nuts on all brace and tension bands.
NOTE: Clearance for hinges and latches (4” for 
walk gates and 6” for drive gates) is included in 
stated gate opening width.
¢
6
Hang Gates
Attach frame hinges to gate frame. Install post 
hinges to  gate post.    Install  top post  hinge 
with pin pointing down and bottom post hinge 
with pin pointing up.  This will prevent the gate 
from being  lifted  off the hinges.  Place gate in 
position by aligning the top of the gate with the 
top of the fence and adjust the hinges to allow 
for  a  full  swing.    Install  gate  latch  at  desired 
height that’s suitable to your usage and fasten 
all bolts.  
Follow the same directions to install Drive Gates.
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
CHAIN LINK FENCE
DPT_TearPad_947005PK-E_10-1115.indd 2 11/15/10 11:20:53 AM


