Posted by Duncan Page on Tue, Mar 09, 2010
There are many different styles of woven wire fence that can be successfully used in zoo displays. These wire fencing products can also be put to use around the home, farm and public areas such as parks and recreational areas. Think of these fences when you have any situation where animals need to be contained or excluded.
Double Wattled Cassowary & 2"x4" woven wire mesh - Birmingham Zoo
12.5 gauge 2"x4" mesh
Woven 2"x4" mesh is made with heavier 10 gauge selvage wires running along the top and bottom edge of the fence. This gives the fencing greater strength. Strong 12.5 gauge wire makes up the balance. A third piece of 12.5 gauge wire forms a smooth stiff knot around the horizontal and one piece vertical wires securely holding them together. Knotted construction gives the fence some flexibility making it easier to install over uneven ground. Woven 2"x4" mesh is available in three different finishes: Class 1 galvanized, Class 3 galvanized and Class 3 black. It can be used effectively with very large birds, other animals such as dogs, horses and zebras and any other animal that requires a strong fence.
Woven 2"x2" wire mesh fence on sides of display - Franklin Park Zoo
16 gauge, 2"x2" mesh
Made with the same knotted construction as the 2"x4' fencing, this lighter weight woven wire fence is made using 14 gauge wires on top and bottom and 16 gauge wires for the filler. As with its heavier brother, the fencing has inherent flexibility. 2"x2" mesh can be used with birds and other small animals - situations where a lighter fence will be effective.
Woven Deer and wildlife fence - Franklin Park Zoo
Deer and wildlife fence
Woven from 12.5 gauge high tensile wire, this strong heavily galvanized fencing can be used with many different kinds of animals. All feature spacing between horizontal wires that graduate from small at the bottom to large at the top. Heights range from 4' through 10'. Horizontal and vertical wires are held together with fixed knot construction. Deer and wildlife fencing is available with a Class 3 galvanized finish. Some heights have a Class 3 black finish. The strength and height make this an ideal fence to use with a wide range of animals.
Deer fence gateway - Birmingham Zoo
Do you have any unusual animals that you want to keep in - or out?
Posted by Duncan Page on Wed, Mar 03, 2010
Watch this video from the University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service and learn how to build a fence gate using barbed wire.
Posted by Duncan Page on Mon, Mar 01, 2010
Cintoflex, a Tenax fencing product, was designed as a replacement for and alternative to galvanized hexagonal chicken wire netting. Made from high density polyethylene, Cintoflex can withstand environmental stresses such as UV rays and extremes of temperature. These black polyethylene poultry net meshes are produced by a patented stretching and extruding process. The netting is manufactured as a continuous net, possessing strength associated with wire netting. Cintoflex is non-toxic. It is unaffected by contaminates such as acids generated on a poultry farm.
Versatile Cintoflex plastic net has several advantages:
- light weight
- flexible
- completely recyclable
- easy to handle
- easy to install
- will not rot, rust or corrode
- no rough edges to injure you or your animals
- easy to store - requires less space
- available in four different mesh sizes
- 48" to 15' x 330' rolls
- black color blends with the background becoming virtually invisible
- multiple overlaps are eliminated in installations where height is required
- ideal for a wide variety of applications:
- perimeter protection
- bird exclusion
- deer control
- protection of trees. shrubs and berries
- aviaries
- litter and debris control
- pond protection
The uses for Cintoflex are limitless. In certain applications Cintoflex can be used as a replacement for hex netting chicken wire fencing. The larger meshes can be used to protect your property from deer damage.
What uses can you think of for these polyethylene meshes?
Posted by Frank Langone on Wed, Feb 24, 2010
Spring is on its way! Are you contemplating any projects that will require fencing - a play area for children, lawn and garden fence, pet fencing, swimming pool? Planning now can save you a lot of time and legwork when you are ready to start the work.
There are many varieties of wire fencing and meshes to be considered and evaluated before you can narrow it down to your final selection. What are the specific needs and requirements of your project?
- Do you want an economical fence?
- Should your fence last a long time or is it temporary?
- Do you want the practicality and utility of a galvanized wire fence?
- Is the durability, longer lifetime and attractive appearance of vinyl coated mesh important?
- Why do you need a fence?
- How many feet of fencing are required?
- Are there specific requirements that determine the size of the mesh openings?
- What are the height requirements for the fence?
- If this is a DIY project, do you have the knowledge and information necessary to do the job properly?
- How many posts will you need?
- Do you want to use steel or wood posts?
- Will you need a gate?
- Are there any special tools you will need for installation?
- Is the fence line cleared?
- Will you need to clear or prepare the enclosed area?
Once you have answers to these questions, you will have made a great start on your project.
Do you have any more specific questions you need answered?
Posted by Duncan Page on Fri, Feb 19, 2010
White Headed Buffalo Weaver display - 16 gauge, black vinyl coated 1"x1" mesh
When constructing their displays and fencing their walkways, zoos frequently use welded wire meshes that have been vinyl coated. There are several reasons this type of material is chosen. Vinyl coated products are:
- easy to clean and maintain
- available in a variety of mesh sizes - from 1/4"x1/4" to 4"x4"
- available in different gauges - from light weight 23 gauge to heavy 10.5 gauge
- attractive and aesthetically pleasing
- very durable and long lasting
- strong and safe protection for birds and other animals
White Crested Laughing Thrushes, Chestnut Mandible Toucan and Tawny Frogmouth Owl displays - 14 gauge, black vinyl coated 1"x2" mesh
Vinyl coated welded wire products can be used in many different areas and for many different purposes including but not limited to:
- bird displays
- displays of mammals
- effective crowd control
- fences along walkways
- safety mesh for railings
Monkey display, walkway fence, observation deck safety inset panels - 1"x1" mesh
Vinyl coated welded wire meshes and fencing are versatile products that will safely secure and protect your animals. They are also effective as exclusion barriers. Though initially more expensive, their long lifetime and attractive appearance make them appropriate for many different situations.
Do you either plan to or currently use these meshes?
All pictures show the different ways the
Birmingham Zoo uses vinyl coated welded wire products.
Posted by Duncan Page on Fri, Feb 12, 2010
The 122 acre Birmingham Zoo draws more than 500,000 visitors a year, making it Alabama's most popular attraction. On February 5th I was treated to a fascinating tour of the facility by Jeff Pribble, the Zoological Manager of Birds. He cares for and manages more than 90 different species of birds - over 400 in number. The zoo is on their way to a goal of 100 species. Such species as the Bali Mynah, Blue-faced Honeyeater, Secretary Bird and Double-wattled Cassowary are on display in clean, informatively labeled, well maintained environments that reflect their natural habitats.
The Birmingham Zoo uses a variety of meshes in their displays and around the grounds. Vinyl coated welded wire meshes are used in the displays as well as in safety insert panels along walkways, railings and fence. Woven polypropylene top netting is often used for the tops of the displays. For the bigger displays containing larger birds, woven 2"x4" mesh is used. A fine woven zoo mesh is also used for the displays of some of the smaller birds.
Jeff Pribble & Duncan Page
Along with this fine avian section, the zoo also features a $15 million Children's Zoo displaying the urban and rural wild animals and environs of Alabama. Work on the Trails of Africa is currently underway. Featuring a cultural and botanical "immersion-themed motif", this promises to be a "world-class community asset". The zoo also features two small trains that carry passengers on a 3/4 mile loop throughout the zoo.
If you're in the Birmingham area, be sure to visit!
Posted by Duncan Page on Sat, Jan 30, 2010
A new type of fencing has been introduced by the Demakersvan design studio in Holland. Called Lace Fence, it is a combination of chain link fabric and the art of lace making.
The design possibilities - from floral themes to contemporary patterns and designs - are infinite. With this opportunity to customize each job, every lace fence is unique. Chain link fencing, a basic functional fence, can become a decorative and attractive work of art.
Lace Fence can be woven from both 11 and 12-1/2 gauge wires, either galvanized or vinyl coated. The wire mesh is securely clamped to a tubular frame.
There are many different types of locations - both interior and exterior - where Lace Fence is currently in use, including but not limited to:
- barrier fences in parks and other public areas
- interior partitions in banks, restaurants, hotels and gyms
- railing safety mesh on stairways and decks
- decorative panels on the facades of commercial buildings
- safety fences on apartment buildings
- museum displays
What do you think about Lace Fencing?
Do you think it is attractive?
Is it more appropriate for use in a public setting rather than around a residence?
Photograph of Lace Fence at The Design Center at Philadelphia University is used by permission. See this blog article to see more pictures of this unique fencing.
Posted by Duncan Page on Tue, Jan 26, 2010
There are many different specifications of hardware cloth available with heavier gauges and different mesh sizes. They are often called industrial wire cloth and can be difficult to find and purchase. In addition to regular steel, these specialized meshes can be made with any kind of metal that can be drawn into wire including stainless steel, brass, bronze, aluminum and copper.
Square mesh industrial wire cloth specifications are usually expressed as openings per inch. For example 4 mesh means that there are four openings per inch - the mesh measures 1/4"x1/4". The mesh sizes available range from 1 mesh (1") down to 100 mesh (100 openings per inch). Wire diameters used in these products ranges from .331 inch ( gauge) down to .003 inch ( gauge).
Finer meshes from 120 down to 500 openings per inch are also available. The wire diameters used are .0037 ( gauge) to .001 ( gauge). These specifications are often called filter cloth or fine mesh wire cloth.
Due to the variety of choices of gauge, wire type and mesh opening size, some specifications require a minimum quantity and must be made to order.
Industrial wire cloth meshes are usually woven. The woven styles are the same as those described in our blog article about standard hardware cloth galvanized wire mesh.
Do you have any projects requiring industrial wire cloth?
Posted by Frank Langone on Wed, Jan 13, 2010
Are you planning to get some animals that will need cages or pens?
Do you already have animals and need to upgrade, enlarge or improve their containment?
From hamsters to horses, birds to buffalo - there is a welded or woven wire mesh fencing available to do the job right.
For small animals, there are galvanized before, galvanized after and vinyl coated meshes available.
- Cages for canaries, for example, can be made using light weight galvanized after weave 1/2" hex netting.
- For larger birds, welded meshes such as 1/2"x1", 1"x1", 1"x2" and 1/2"x3" can be used to make cages.
- Chicken, turkeys and game birds require larger pens. Galvanized after weave and vinyl coated hex netting works well for the sides. You can use welded wire meshes for ground wire. The extra galvanizing and vinyl coating extends the life of the wire.
- Cages for rabbits, hamsters and the like can be made using 1/2"x1"and 1"x2" welded meshes. Galvanized after weld products, when used, will last longest.
Larger animals require stronger meshes made from heavier gauge wire. Opening size of the mesh can be larger.
- Dogs - smaller dogs can be contained with 16 gauge 2"x2" woven or 2"x3" welded wire mesh. For large dogs, 2"x4" mesh works well. This is available in woven 12.5 gauge and welded 14, 12.5 and 11 gauge galvanized before, galvanized after and vinyl coated.
- Horse corrals can be made with 12.5 gauge flexible woven horse fence in a 2"x4" or diamond mesh pattern.
- Secure enclosures for sheep and goats can be made using 12.5 gauge 4"x4" woven mesh.
- For ostrich & emu pens use 12.5 gauge 2"x4" woven mesh.
- Use field fence for cow pastures. There are different choices of 1047 style available.
- Extra tall (up to 10') woven fences are excellent for deer and wildlife containment or exclusion.
Whatever size and type of animal you have, there is welded or woven wire fencing mesh that will keep them safe and secure.
Care to share your own experiences?
Posted by Duncan Page on Tue, Jan 05, 2010
Worm fence: a fence, zigzag in plan, made of rails resting across one another at an angle - Random House Dictionary.
This style of fencing is also known as Snake Fence, ZigZag Fence and Battlefield Fence - the latter term due to its presence on many Civil War battlefields. Worm Fence has been used in America since the 1600's. Easy to build, split wood rails are stacked on each other to create the fence. The ends of the rails alternate, creating the openings. For stability of the stacked rails, each section of fence is angled slightly from the previous one, giving the appearance of a worm or snake.
No vertical posts are required to build the fence. This both eliminates the need to dig post holes and makes the fence easy to install - a particular advantage in rocky terrain. Sometimes a pair of crossed posts would be used at the junction point of each section. This would allow the fence to be closer to a straight line.
With a plentiful supply of wood and ease of construction, it is easy to understand why worm fence was the most common type of fence used in America by the late 1800's. It is gaining popularity today for use as a rustic fence that will add to the appearance of a piece of property.