We are Hebei Leeter Import and Export Co., Ltd ("Leeter"), a wire and fencing manufacturer in Dingzhou, Hebei, China, exporting since 2006 to importers and fence distributors across North America and Europe. We weave chain link fence in both finishes on the same looms, so the comparison below is between our own production lines, not marketing claims.
How each finish is made
Galvanized chain link is woven from zinc-coated wire. Electro-galvanized (EG) wire carries a thin electroplated layer — bright, cheap, suitable for dry climates and short-life fencing. Hot-dip galvanized (HDG) wire carries a far thicker zinc layer from immersion in molten zinc and is the durability standard for permanent fence in North America and Europe. When a tender just says "galvanized", quote HDG unless the target is purely price.
PVC-coated chain link (also sold as vinyl-coated) starts with a galvanized steel core wire and adds an extruded PVC jacket before weaving. The plastic seals the steel from moisture and adds color — dark green and black dominate, with other colors available. The result is a fence that keeps its appearance for years in climates that would dull or streak bare zinc.
Popular export specifications compared
| Spec | Galvanized | PVC-coated |
|---|---|---|
| Volume size 1 | 50x50mm mesh x 1.8mm wire | 50x50mm mesh, 1.8mm core / 2.8mm overall |
| Volume size 2 | 60x60mm mesh x 2.0mm wire | 60x60mm mesh, 2.0mm core / 3.0mm overall |
| Common heights | 1–2m (3.3–6.6 ft) | Widths 0.5–3m (1.6–10 ft) |
| Roll length | 25m standard | 10–25m |
| Finish options | EG or HDG | Color PVC over galvanized core |
| Selvage | Knuckled or twisted | Knuckled or twisted |
Both finishes weave from the same mesh range — 3/4 in (20x20mm) to 4 in (100x100mm) — and the same wire range of 18–8 BWG (1.2–4.0mm core). The specs above are simply where export demand concentrates, which is also where you get the best factory pricing.
The core vs overall diameter trap
This is the single most important line on a PVC chain link quote. A PVC-coated wire has two diameters: the steel core that provides all the strength, and the overall (finished) diameter including the plastic wall. Our standard constructions are 1.8mm core / 2.8mm overall and 2.0mm core / 3.0mm overall — a PVC wall in the 0.4–0.6mm range per side, consistent with the coating we run on PVC-coated barbed wire.
If a competing quote says only "2.8mm PVC wire", it may contain a 1.8mm core — or a much thinner one padded with plastic. Two rolls can look identical on the pallet and differ sharply in strength and steel cost. Protect yourself in the RFQ:
- State both diameters: "1.8mm core / 2.8mm overall" — never one number.
- Ask for the core wire's zinc coating type (EG or HDG core).
- On inspection, strip a sample and measure the core with a micrometer.
Corrosion life and where each finish wins
Zinc protects steel sacrificially: it weathers gradually, and the thicker the layer, the longer the fence lasts, which is why HDG outlasts EG by years in the same climate. PVC protects by exclusion: as long as the jacket is intact, moisture never reaches the steel, which makes it the strongest choice for coastal salt air, industrial pollution and wet climates. The PVC layer also removes the galvanized gray in favor of a color that landscaping and homeowners prefer — which is why residential channels pay the premium.
| Buying scenario | Recommended finish |
|---|---|
| Commercial/industrial perimeters, ballfields | Galvanized HDG, 9 BWG class wire |
| Budget agricultural and demarcation | Galvanized EG or HDG, lighter gauge |
| Residential retail channel | PVC-coated, green or black |
| Coastal or high-humidity markets | PVC-coated (HDG core preferred) |
| Security fence topped with barbed/razor wire | Galvanized HDG fabric |
| Landscaping, schools, parks, pools | PVC-coated, knuckled selvage |
Most distributors do not choose one finish — they stock galvanized for contractor volume and PVC for the residential counter trade. A mixed container in the four volume specs above covers both channels in one shipment.
Quality checks before shipment
Whichever finish you import, the pre-shipment checks are cheap insurance. For galvanized fabric: confirm the wire diameter with a micrometer against the ordered spec, check that the zinc is uniform with no bare patches or heavy drips at the knuckles, and verify roll length and height against the packing list. For PVC-coated fabric, add three more checks. Strip a short sample and measure the core — this is the only way to confirm you received 1.8mm or 2.0mm steel rather than a thin core padded with plastic. Flex a woven strand sharply and inspect the jacket: a properly extruded and bonded coating bends with the wire without cracking, splitting or sliding along the core. Finally, confirm in writing that the PVC compound is UV-stabilized; unstabilized plastic looks identical on delivery but fades and embrittles in sunlight, and by the time your customers see it the container is long since paid for. We welcome third-party inspection on any order and include these checkpoints in our own outgoing QC.
Margin and container math
Galvanized chain link is a commodity: buyers compare it on price per roll, so it earns its keep through container volume and steady reorders. PVC-coated fabric carries more value per kilogram — the color finish differentiates it at retail, fewer local competitors stock a full color/height range, and the resale margin is consistently higher. PVC rolls of the same nominal spec are also bulkier per meter of fence (the overall diameter is larger), so a PVC-heavy container cubes out sooner than it weighs out; mixing in dense galvanized rolls or steel products such as welded fence panels or field fence balances weight and cube. When we quote, we include per-roll weights and a container loading plan so you can compare landed cost per meter of fence, not just FOB per roll.
Frequently asked questions
Is PVC-coated chain link better than galvanized?
For corrosion resistance and appearance, yes — the intact PVC jacket keeps moisture off the steel entirely and adds color, which is why it wins in coastal, wet and residential markets. For price-driven commercial and agricultural volume, hot-dip galvanized is the better import: lower cost per roll, and the standard that contractors specify. Most distributors stock both.
What are the standard sizes for PVC-coated chain link?
The volume export specs are 50x50mm mesh at 1.8mm core / 2.8mm overall diameter, and 60x60mm mesh at 2.0mm core / 3.0mm overall, in widths from 0.5m to 3m and roll lengths of 10–25m. Dark green and black are the standard colors, with others available on order.
What is the difference between core diameter and overall diameter?
Core diameter is the galvanized steel wire inside the plastic; overall diameter includes the PVC jacket (typically a 0.4–0.6mm wall). All the strength comes from the core. Always specify and verify both numbers — a quote giving only the overall diameter can conceal a thinner, cheaper core under extra plastic.
Does galvanized chain link rust?
Eventually. Zinc protects the steel sacrificially and weathers over time — faster for thin electro-galvanized coatings, much slower for hot-dip galvanized. In dry inland climates HDG fabric serves for decades; in coastal salt air the zinc is consumed faster, which is where a PVC jacket over a galvanized core earns its premium.
Can I mix PVC and galvanized chain link in one container?
Yes, and most of our buyers do. Galvanized rolls are dense and PVC rolls are bulky, so mixing them balances the container's weight limit against its cube. We provide per-roll weights and a stuffing plan with each quote so you can fill a 20 ft or 40 ft container to its true capacity across both finishes.
