You are looking at a chain link fence for your property here in Missoula. This is a good choice. Chain link fences are tough as well as economical. They get the job done whether you are trying to keep deer out of your garden as well as keep kids and pets in the yard as well as define your property lines. Installing a chain link fence in Missoula is different from doing it in other places. We have our own unique conditions here. If you do not account for these conditions, you will have problems with your chain link fence sooner than you think.
The Missoula Ground Game: Frost Lines and Soil Types
First, we should talk about the ground under your feet in Missoula. Our ground here is serious. We get cold winters. This means frost heave is a real concern for any chain link fence installation. Frost heave happens when water in the soil freezes as well as expands. This pushes things up, like your fence posts. Then it thaws. Everything settles back down, but often not in the same spot. If this happens enough times, your perfectly straight chain link fence line will start to look wavy.
The City of Missoula and Missoula County require a minimum footing depth of 36 inches for foundations. This is deeper than the state's general minimum. Some information suggests that Missoula's frost line can get to 48 to 54 inches in western mountain valleys. Not every chain link fence post needs to be as deep as a house foundation. You definitely cannot skimp on depth here for your chain link fence. You need those posts set well below that frost line. This prevents them from popping out of the ground.
Then there is the soil itself. We have a mix of soil types around Missoula. You might find rocky soil near the river. You might also find denser clay up in the hills. Clay can hold water. This speeds up rot in wood posts. However, clay offers good side support for your chain link fence posts. Sandy soil drains quickly. It does not offer much support. You might need deeper posts and more concrete in sandy soil. Knowing what you are digging into makes a big difference in how we approach the chain link fence installation. This includes the depth of the holes as well as the type of backfill we use. For example, gravel and crushed stone are good for drainage around chain link fence posts.
Common Chain Link Projects Around Town
Missoula Fencing Company has installed many types of chain link fences across this valley. A chain link fence is one of the most useful as well as affordable options available. Here are some common projects where a chain link fence works very well:
- Residential Yards: Many people in neighborhoods like the University District as well as out in the Rattlesnake use a chain link fence. They use it to keep their dogs contained. It is practical. It lets light through. You can still see your garden.
- Commercial Properties: Businesses all over Missoula, from industrial areas to auto shops, use a chain link fence for security. It is effective for securing perimeters as well as dumpster enclosures as well as storage yards. Sometimes we will add privacy slats or even barbed wire for extra security on commercial chain link fence jobs. Barbed wire is not allowed in residential areas.
- Sports Fields & Parks: You will see many chain link fences around our local parks as well as school athletic fields. A chain link fence is durable. It stands up to a lot of use. It is good for backstops as well as dugouts as well as keeping balls from flying too far.
- Temporary Fencing: Construction sites often use chain link panels for temporary security. It is quick to set up as well as take down. It is important for keeping sites safe as well as secure.
Why Local Expertise Is Important
You might think a fence is just a fence. When you are putting a chain link fence in the ground here in Missoula, local expertise is very important. It is not just a nice thing to have. Here is why it matters for your chain link fence project:
First, there are permits. The City of Missoula requires a fence permit for any new chain link fence construction. This also applies to repairs or replacements of 25 feet or more of an existing chain link fence. You also need to make sure your chain link fence is completely within your property lines. No part of it, not even a footing, can go beyond that. If you are building a chain link fence over seven feet tall, you will need a building permit in addition to the fence permit. Knowing these rules well saves you a lot of trouble as well as possible fines for your chain link fence.
Then there is that frost line we talked about for your chain link fence. A contractor who has worked in Missoula for many years knows exactly how deep to go for different soil types as well as fence heights. This makes sure your chain link fence does not heave. They will know that a 6-foot chain link fence needs posts buried at least 38 inches deep. Often, it needs to be deeper depending on the specific ground conditions as well as frost depth. They will also know how to properly backfill to make sure there is good drainage for your chain link fence posts.
We also deal with some unique problems here in Missoula. This includes wildlife. A standard chain link fence will not stop a determined elk. For garden enclosures, it can be a good deterrent for smaller animals. For bigger animals, you might need a taller chain link fence or one with specific design elements. A local installer understands these details for your chain link fence.
Finally, it is about the long term. A chain link fence is not a temporary thing. You want it to stand strong for many years. This includes through our hot summers as well as those long, snowy winters. When you hire a local company like Missoula Fencing Company, you are getting people who live and work right here. Missoula Fencing Company is invested in this community. Our reputation depends on doing quality work that lasts. We know the ground. We know the weather. We know what it takes to build a chain link fence that will hold up for you in Missoula.