CHAIN LINK FITTINGS AND HARDWARE
Chain Link Fittings and Hardware. Every Connection Counts.
Complete the chain link system with fittings selected for the exact fabric, post, rail, gate and finish.
CerKa Fence Supply helps customers organize tension bars, bands, rail ends, caps, ties, hog rings, fasteners and brace hardware for residential, commercial and industrial chain link projects.
Because fitting dimensions are based on the outside diameter of the posts and rails, products should never be selected using appearance or a generic trade name alone.
Already have a material list or fitting photograph?
Why Chain Link Fittings Matter
Chain link fittings connect the fabric, posts and rails into one complete system.
The correct fittings help:
- Terminate and tension the fabric
- Connect rail to terminal posts
- Support top rail at line posts
- Secure fabric to framework
- Brace corners, ends and gates
- Finish open post ends
- Connect lower tension components
- Support gates and security accessories
A missing or incompatible fitting can prevent the system from being assembled correctly.
Before Selecting a Fitting
Confirm the following information:
- Fence height
- Fabric mesh size
- Wire diameter or gauge
- Fabric finish
- Line-post outside diameter
- Terminal-post outside diameter
- Gate-post outside diameter
- Top-rail outside diameter
- Brace-rail outside diameter
- Fitting location
- Required finish
- Residential, commercial or industrial application
- Security requirements
A fitting designed for one post diameter may look similar to another size but will not fit correctly.
Tension Bars
A tension bar is a flat metal bar installed vertically through the final row of chain link fabric diamonds at a terminal post.
It works with tension bands to connect and tension the fabric at:
- Fence ends
- Corners
- Gate posts
- Pull posts
- Other fabric termination points
Tension-bar selection should consider:
- Fabric height
- Mesh size
- Wire diameter
- Finish
- Terminal-post configuration
- Project specification
The tension bar should be sized for the selected fabric height and connection arrangement.
Tension Bands
Tension bands wrap around a terminal post and connect the tension bar to the post using a compatible bolt and nut.
They are commonly used on:
- End posts
- Corner posts
- Gate posts
- Pull posts
A tension band must match:
- Terminal-post outside diameter
- Tension-bar dimensions
- Fastener
- Fence height
- Fabric tension
- Required finish
Tension bands and brace bands may look similar, but they perform different functions.
Brace Bands
Brace bands wrap around terminal posts and are commonly used to connect:
- Rail ends
- Brace rails
- Top rail at terminal posts
- Truss-rod assemblies
- Project-specific accessories
Brace-band selection should consider:
- Post outside diameter
- Rail-end connection
- Fastener size
- Number of connections
- Finish
- Brace arrangement
A terminal post may require multiple brace bands depending on whether it is an end, corner, pull or gate post.
Tension Bands vs. Brace Bands
Tension Bands
- Connect tension bars to terminal posts
- Hold the chain link fabric at termination points
- Are installed vertically along the post
- Must match the post and tension-bar system
Brace Bands
- Connect rail ends and brace assemblies to terminal posts
- Support horizontal framework connections
- May connect truss-rod hardware
- Must match the post, rail end and fastener
Do not substitute one band type for the other without an approved system detail.
Rail Ends
A rail end fits over the end of top rail or brace rail and connects it to a brace band on a terminal post.
Rail ends may be used at:
- Fence ends
- Corners
- Gate posts
- Pull posts
- Brace assemblies
The rail end must match:
- Rail outside diameter
- Brace-band connection
- Fastener
- Required angle
- Finish
A rail end should not be selected using only the terminal-post size. Its internal dimensions must match the rail.
Loop Caps
A loop cap fits over a line post and supports the top rail through its upper loop.
The loop cap must match two dimensions:
- Line-post outside diameter
- Top-rail outside diameter
Also confirm:
- Loop orientation
- Material
- Finish
- Fence type
- Required installation method
Loop caps may also be called:
- Eye tops
- Line-post tops
- Rail caps
- Chain link loop tops
The product name can vary, so dimensions should always be confirmed.
Terminal Post Caps
Terminal post caps cover the open tops of:
- End posts
- Corner posts
- Gate posts
- Pull posts
The cap must match the outside diameter or approved internal dimensions of the post.
Cap styles may include:
- Dome caps
- Acorn-style caps
- Flat caps
- Project-specific post tops
Available materials and finishes can vary.
Rail Sleeves
Rail sleeves connect two compatible top-rail sections.
A sleeve must match:
- Top-rail outside diameter
- Rail connection type
- Required overlap
- Finish
- Manufacturer’s installation method
Certain top rails may use swaged ends instead of separate sleeves.
Do not add a rail sleeve when the selected rail already uses a different approved connection system.
Fence Ties
Fence ties attach chain link fabric to:
- Line posts
- Top rail
- Bottom rail
- Gate frames
- Other approved framework
Tie selection depends on:
- Fabric wire diameter
- Post or rail diameter
- Tie length
- Tie-wire diameter
- Finish
- Required spacing
- Installation method
- Security requirements
Tie quantity and spacing must follow the project specification or approved installation requirements.
Hog Rings
Hog rings are commonly used to attach chain link fabric to bottom tension wire.
They may also be used for other approved fabric connections.
Confirm:
- Ring dimensions
- Wire diameter
- Finish
- Bottom-wire diameter
- Required spacing
- Installation tool
Hog rings must not be assumed interchangeable with standard fence ties.
Bottom Tension Wire Components
A bottom tension-wire system may require:
- Tension wire
- Hog rings
- Terminal connections
- Tensioning hardware
- Fasteners
- Project-specific accessories
The wire specification should coordinate with:
- Chain link fabric
- Fence height
- Post spacing
- Finish
- Property type
- Containment requirements
Bottom tension wire is not the same as bottom rail.
Truss Rods and Tighteners
A truss-rod assembly may be used as part of a terminal-post brace system.
It can include:
- Truss rod
- Tightener
- Brace band
- Rail or brace assembly
- Fasteners
The truss rod helps support the braced terminal section according to the approved fence design.
The rod length, diameter, connection points and tensioning method must be confirmed for the fence height and brace arrangement.
Bolts, Nuts and Washers
Chain link fittings may use:
- Carriage bolts
- Hex bolts
- Nuts
- Washers
- Locking nuts
- Security fasteners
- Manufacturer-specific hardware
Fasteners should be selected according to:
- Band or fitting hole size
- Required bolt diameter
- Required bolt length
- Thread type
- Post and rail dimensions
- Finish compatibility
- Corrosion exposure
- Tamper-resistance requirements
Do not assume fasteners are included unless they appear in the quoted material list.
Fittings for Line Posts
A typical line-post connection may require:
- Line post
- Loop cap
- Top rail
- Fence ties
- Fabric
- Bottom tension wire and hog rings, when specified
- Bottom rail fittings, when specified
- Compatible fasteners
Line posts do not normally receive the same tension-band arrangement used at terminal posts.
Fittings for End Posts
A typical end-post assembly may require:
- End post
- Tension bar
- Tension bands
- Brace band
- Rail end
- Brace rail
- Truss-rod components, when specified
- Terminal post cap
- Bolts and fasteners
The exact assembly depends on the fence height and project specification.
Fittings for Corner Posts
A corner post may receive fabric and rail connections from multiple directions.
The assembly may require:
- Corner post
- Multiple tension bars
- Tension bands
- Brace bands
- Rail ends
- Brace rails
- Post cap
- Fasteners
- Additional brace components
The required quantities depend on the number and direction of connecting fence sections.
Fittings for Gate Posts
A gate post may require fittings for both the chain link fabric and the gate.
Components may include:
- Gate post
- Tension bar
- Tension bands
- Brace bands
- Rail end
- Post cap
- Gate hinges
- Gate latch
- Gate stops
- Drop rods
- Additional access hardware
Gate hardware must match the gate frame, post dimensions and intended use.
Gate Hinges and Latches
Chain link gate hardware may include:
Hinges
- Residential gate hinges
- Commercial gate hinges
- Adjustable hinges
- Bolt-on hinges
- Weld-on hinges
- Heavy-duty hinges
- Anti-lift arrangements
Latches
- Fork latches
- Gravity latches
- Slide latches
- Lockable latches
- Padlockable hardware
- Project-specific access latches
Additional Gate Hardware
- Drop rods
- Gate stops
- Hold-open hardware
- Rollers
- Wheels
- Guides
- Locking components
Exact availability and compatibility must be confirmed.
Fittings for Privacy Systems
Privacy slats and screens may require:
- Locking channels
- Retaining components
- Clips
- Ties
- Gate attachments
- Additional framework
- Project-specific fasteners
Privacy products can increase wind loading on the fittings and complete framework.
The existing posts, rails, bands and foundations should be evaluated before privacy products are added.
Security Fittings and Extensions
Higher-security chain link systems may coordinate with:
- Barbed-wire arms
- Straight security extensions
- Angled extensions
- Additional tension wire
- Security fasteners
- Anti-lift gate hardware
- Smaller-mesh fabric fittings
- Bottom-rail connections
- Project-specific accessories
Security extensions must match the post outside diameter and project design.
Legal and safety suitability must be confirmed before ordering or installation.
Fitting Materials and Finishes
Chain link fittings may be manufactured from:
- Pressed steel
- Cast metal
- Aluminium
- Coated steel
- Other product-specific materials
Available finishes may include:
- Galvanized
- Black
- Green
- Brown
- Other manufacturer options
Not every fitting is available in every colour or material.
The fabric, framework, gates and fittings should be coordinated, but small working components may have a different finish.
Exact material and finish must be confirmed in the quotation.
How to Measure an Existing Fitting
When replacing a fitting, provide:
- Fitting name, if known
- Post outside diameter
- Rail outside diameter
- Internal fitting diameter
- Bolt-hole diameter
- Bolt length
- Overall fitting dimensions
- Material
- Finish
- Fence height
- Photographs
For round tubing, measure across the widest outside point to determine approximate OD.
Include photographs showing:
- Fitting installed
- Fitting removed, if available
- Tape measure beside the fitting
- Post and rail dimensions
- Overall fence section
A photograph without measurements may not be enough to confirm the correct replacement.
Planning Fitting Quantities
Fitting quantities depend on:
- Total fence length
- Fence height
- Line-post spacing
- Number of end posts
- Number of corners
- Number of gate posts
- Number and size of gates
- Top-rail sections
- Brace assemblies
- Bottom tension wire or rail
- Tie spacing
- Privacy products
- Security extensions
- Spare-material requirements
Generic rules of thumb should not replace a project-specific takeoff.
What to Include in a Fittings Quote
Provide as much of the following information as possible:
- Fabric height
- Mesh size
- Wire diameter or gauge
- Line-post outside diameter
- Terminal-post outside diameter
- Gate-post outside diameter
- Top-rail outside diameter
- Brace-rail outside diameter
- Number of end posts
- Number of corner posts
- Number of gates
- Required tension bars
- Required bands
- Required caps
- Required rail ends
- Required ties or hog rings
- Bottom tension wire or bottom rail
- Gate-hardware requirements
- Privacy requirements
- Security extensions
- Required finish
- Project location
- Required material date
- Drawings or photographs
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Difference Between a Tension Band and Brace Band?
A tension band connects the fabric tension bar to a terminal post. A brace band connects rail ends and brace components to a terminal post.
What Size Band Do I Need?
The band must match the actual outside diameter of the terminal or gate post.
What Size Loop Cap Do I Need?
A loop cap must match both the line-post outside diameter and top-rail outside diameter.
Do Rail Ends Match the Post or Rail?
The rail-end opening must match the rail outside diameter. The fitting then connects to a compatible brace band on the post.
Are Bolts Included with Bands?
Do not assume so. Fasteners should be clearly identified in the quotation.
Can Galvanized Fittings Be Used on a Black Fence?
They may be mechanically compatible, but the appearance and coating system will not match. Confirm the desired finish.
How Many Tension Bands Do I Need?
The quantity depends on fence height, terminal posts and project specifications. CerKa should not provide a universal quantity without reviewing the system.
Can I Identify a Fitting from a Photograph?
Photographs help, but post, rail and fitting dimensions are also required.
Does CerKa Install Chain Link Fittings?
CerKa Fence Supply is a material distributor. Installation is not represented as part of the material supply unless specifically stated and contracted separately.
Are All Fitting Sizes Available?
Availability, materials, dimensions, colours and lead times must be confirmed before ordering.
Important Fitting Information
Every fitting must be selected according to exact post, rail and fabric dimensions.
Website images may represent a general fitting category and may not show the exact size, material, bolt, colour or finish included in a quotation.
Final specifications, quantities, finishes, fasteners, compatibility and availability must be confirmed in the CerKa Fence Supply quotation.
The purchaser and installer remain responsible for confirming:
- Field measurements
- Fitting quantities
- Post and rail dimensions
- Fastener installation
- Fabric tensioning
- Gate hardware
- Privacy-system effects
- Security requirements
- Applicable codes and regulations
Ready to Complete the Chain Link System?
Tell us the post and rail outside diameters, fabric height, fence layout, gate requirements and preferred finish.
CerKa Fence Supply will help organize the requested fittings and hardware into a material quotation.