| Quick Answer:
A tennis court fence costs between $4,500 and $12,000 installed for a standard doubles court. That works out to $12 to $40 per linear foot, depending on the material and height you choose. |
We have been installing tennis court fences across North Alabama for over three years. In that time, one thing stays the same: most clients have no idea what to budget before they call us. That is exactly why I put this guide together.
Below, I break down real installed costs by material, height, and court size. I also cover the hidden fees that most contractors leave out of their first quote. Everything here reflects actual prices in the North Alabama market, not national averages pulled from a website that has never set a fence post.
If you want a number specific to your court, call us at +1 256-384-3619. We are available 9 AM to 5 PM.
Tennis Court Fence Cost at a Glance
The table below shows installed costs for the most common fence types on a standard doubles court. A full doubles court perimeter is approximately 320 linear feet when you factor in the run-off space around the playing surface.
| Fence Type | Cost Per Linear Foot (Installed) | Full Court Estimate | Best For |
| Galvanized Chain Link | $12 – $22 | $3,840 – $7,040 | Budget / public courts |
| Vinyl-Coated Chain Link | $18 – $35 | $5,760 – $11,200 | Residential / club courts |
| Welded Wire | $22 – $40 | $7,040 – $12,800 | High-traffic facilities |
| Steel Bar / Ornamental | $35 – $60 | $11,200 – $19,200 | Premium commercial courts |
These prices include materials, posts, hardware, concrete, and labor. Gates and windscreens are priced separately. I cover those in the hidden costs section below.
How Much Does a Tennis Court Fence Cost Per Linear Foot?
Material is the single biggest cost driver. Here is what each option costs and what you actually get for the money.
Galvanized Chain Link ($12 to $22 per linear foot installed)
This is the most affordable option. We use 9-gauge, 1 3/4-inch mesh as standard on every tennis court job. It is durable, low-maintenance, and holds up well for 15 to 20 years. The downside is the plain silver appearance. It looks fine on public parks and school courts. For residential courts, most clients want something that looks a little sharper.
Vinyl-Coated Chain Link ($18 to $35 per linear foot installed)
This is our most requested option for tennis courts throughout North Alabama. It is the same 9-gauge mesh underneath, but with a color coating bonded over the galvanized wire. Black is the most popular color on tennis courts because it makes the yellow ball easier to track. Green blends better with landscaping and is a good choice if you want the fence to sit back visually. The coating adds corrosion resistance and pushes the expected lifespan to 20 to 25 years.
Welded Wire ($22 to $40 per linear foot installed)
Welded wire fencing has its intersections welded rather than woven, which makes the whole panel stiffer. It handles ball impact better than standard chain link and is less likely to distort or bow over time. We recommend this material for club facilities, schools, and any court that sees heavy play every day.
Labor makes up 30 to 40 percent of your total installed cost regardless of material. That covers post setting in concrete, tensioning the fabric, installing the top rail, and fitting all gate hardware. Always ask your contractor whether labor is included in the per-foot price they quote you. Some contractors price materials only and add labor on top.
What Is the Standard Height for a Tennis Court Fence?
The standard tennis court fence height is 10 feet. Most tennis associations, including the United States Tennis Association, recommend 10 feet as the minimum for recreational and club-level courts. Here is how height affects your cost.
| Fence Height | Cost Per Linear Foot (Installed) | Recommended For |
| 8 feet | $10 – $25 | Backyard / practice courts |
| 10 feet (Standard) | $14 – $35 | Recreational and club courts |
| 12 feet | $18 – $42 | Competitive / tournament courts |
| North Alabama Permit Note: Any fence taller than 6 feet requires a building permit in Huntsville and most surrounding municipalities. Tennis court fences at 10 feet always require a permit. Permit costs in our service area typically range from $75 to $300. We file every permit ourselves so you do not have to navigate that process alone. |
How Many Linear Feet of Fencing Does a Tennis Court Need?
The total perimeter of your court is what drives how much material you need, and by extension, your total budget. A lot of people underestimate this because they look at the playing surface dimensions instead of the full enclosed area.
A standard doubles court is 78 feet by 36 feet as a playing surface. But the fenced area, including the run-off space players need on all sides, is typically 120 feet by 60 feet. That is the number your quote should be based on.
|
Court Type |
Approx. Perimeter | Chain Link Estimate | Vinyl-Coated Estimate |
| Singles Court (with buffer) | ~280 linear ft | $3,360 – $6,160 | $5,040 – $9,800 |
| Doubles Court (with buffer) | ~320 linear ft | $3,840 – $7,040 | $5,760 – $11,200 |
| 2-Court Facility | ~580 linear ft | $6,960 – $12,760 | $10,440 – $20,300 |
We always measure the full enclosure area before providing a quote. If a contractor gives you a price based only on playing surface dimensions, they are undercounting your linear footage, and the final bill will surprise you.
What Hidden Costs Should You Budget For?
Most quotes cover the fence fabric, posts, and basic installation. The extras below are things almost every tennis court project needs, but they rarely show up in a first estimate unless you ask for them directly.
Gates: Every court needs at least one access gate. A single 4-foot pedestrian gate costs $200 to $500 installed. A wider double gate for maintenance equipment runs $400 to $900. If you are building a multi-court facility, each court section typically needs its own gate.
Windscreens: A windscreen cuts wind interference and gives players a cleaner visual background on the court. The material runs $1.50 to $4.00 per square foot. A full windscreen for a doubles court adds $3,500 to $8,000 to the project. Most of our residential clients in North Alabama opt for windscreens on at least two sides.
Permits: In Huntsville and across most of North Alabama, building permits for fences over 6 feet cost $75 to $300, depending on your municipality and project scope.
Old Fence Removal: Replacing an existing fence? Budget $1 to $3 per linear foot for demolition and hauling. It sounds minor, but it adds up fast on a full-court project.
Post Setting Depth: On 10-foot fences, posts need to go 36 to 42 inches into the ground, set in concrete. Some contractors cut costs by setting posts too shallow. A poorly set post will cause your fence to lean within two to three years. We set every post at the correct depth on every job, no exceptions.
Ask any contractor you get a quote from to itemize all of these line items. A vague quote that bundles everything into one number is a sign that something is being left out.
What Affects Tennis Court Fence Cost in North Alabama?
Pricing in North Alabama runs 10 to 15 percent below national averages. That is good news for anyone budgeting a court project here. But there are local factors that affect your specific job, and a contractor based in another state will not know them.
Soil conditions: The clay soil common throughout Madison and Limestone counties is great for post stability, but it requires the right post depth and proper concrete technique. We see a lot of older court fences around the Huntsville area that are leaning because the original contractor did not account for the way North Alabama clay behaves over time.
Humidity: North Alabama gets hot, humid summers. Raw galvanized steel holds up fine, but vinyl-coated chain link is the smarter long-term investment in our climate. The vinyl layer keeps moisture away from the wire underneath, which is what causes premature rust on uncoated fences in this region.
HOA requirements: If your property is in an HOA community, check your covenants before ordering materials. Most HOAs in the Huntsville and Madison area specify approved fence colors. Black and green are the most commonly permitted for tennis court fencing.
We serve homeowners, schools, churches, sports clubs, and commercial facilities across North Alabama, including Huntsville, Madison, Athens, Decatur, and Florence. We are not a national lead-generation site. We actually show up, measure your court, and do the work.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tennis Court Fence Cost
How much does it cost to fence a tennis court?
A standard tennis court fence costs $4,500 to $12,000 installed for a doubles court. Chain link is the most affordable option at $12 to $22 per linear foot installed. Vinyl-coated chain link, the most popular choice in North Alabama, runs $18 to $35 per linear foot. Total cost depends on court size, fence height, material, and add-ons like gates and windscreens.
What is the cheapest fence for a tennis court?
Galvanized chain link is the most affordable tennis court fence, starting at $12 per linear foot installed. For a full doubles court, the all-in cost is typically $3,840 to $7,040. It provides solid ball containment and a 15 to 20 year lifespan. It does not have the polished look of vinyl-coated options, but it performs well for public parks, schools, and practice courts.
Do I need a permit to install a tennis court fence in Alabama?
Yes. In Huntsville and most North Alabama municipalities, any fence over 6 feet tall requires a building permit. Tennis court fences at 10 feet always fall into this category. Permit costs in our service area range from $75 to $300. We handle the permit filing as part of every project we complete, so you do not have to deal with the paperwork.
How long does a tennis court fence last?
A well-installed tennis court fence lasts 15 to 25 years depending on the material. Galvanized chain link averages 15 to 20 years. Vinyl-coated chain link runs 20 to 25 years. Welded wire can last 25 years or more with basic maintenance. The quality of post setting matters as much as the material itself. A properly set concrete footing will outlast the fence fabric.
What gauge wire is used for tennis court fencing?
We use 9-gauge wire with a 1 3/4-inch mesh opening as standard on all tennis court projects. This gauge provides the right balance of strength, flexibility, and ball containment for recreational and club-level courts. High-impact commercial facilities sometimes step up to 6-gauge for added rigidity, but 9-gauge meets the standard for most courts across North Alabama.
Get Your Free Tennis Court Fence Quote in North AlabamaWe are Commercial Fencing Huntsville. We have been installing commercial and residential tennis court fences across North Alabama for over three years. Every project starts with a free on-site visit. We measure your court, walk you through your material options, and give you a fully itemized estimate with no surprise fees. We also handle the full permit process from start to finish. We serve Huntsville, Madison, Athens, Decatur, Florence, and the surrounding areas throughout North Alabama. Call us: +1 256-384-3619 | Hours: 9 AM to 5 PM |