Why are chain link garden fences so popular in America?

Gilberto Cratin: economical, maintenance free, secure, ventilation and versatile. if privacy is needed, plant shrubs or get wood.

Robin Marchione: chain link fence is definitely cheaper to install and last MUCH longer than a wood fence. So from both angles, you get a better deal.

Teodoro Lamond: It is cheaper then wooden panel fencing. It's not that people want the chain link usually, it's that they can't afford the nicer wooden fence...or they are cheap and don't want to spend a lot on fencing.

Betsey Muehlbach: Because it helps to keep the Americans in and it`s easier to keep an eye on them.

Mitzie Clough: The answer that it is cheaper is interesting!Here in the UK, a wooden fence or brick wall are standard! If you told the builder that you wanted chain-link he'd look at you with a "WTF?" expression!

Curt Broadhead: never thought about it, if you have a wood fence here we call it a privacy fence, haven't seen brick fences a lot of people! put up wood fences for privacy only if they can afford it.