Our Blog - "The Fence Post"

Swimming Pool Fence

 

Getting a swimming pool? Don't forget about the swimming pool fence required to keep the pool and pool area safe - especially for young children who may be drawn to the water to check it out.

You have probably planned the pool and its installation very carefully - putting into place all your thoughts and ideas for creating the perfect pool for you and an attractively landscaped pool area.

If you are installing the fence yourself, remember that you need to check with the local building inspector in your town to determine what is acceptable for pool fence and all the other requirements - such as self-closing gates. If a child forgets to close the gate when passing through, the gate will automatically close itself.

If you are having the fence installed by a reputable fence company any questions you may have can be answered by them.

For peace of mind and everyone's safety remember to install or have installed the proper fence around your dream pool so that it doesn't become a nightmare. Do as much planning for the fence as you would planning and designing the pool.

There are many different types of swimming pool fences available that will meet code requirements. Which type best fits your design requirements?

President Reagan Builds A Fence - video

Watch Ronald Reagan build a fence at the Reagan Ranch in Santa Barbara, California.  

 

Vinyl Coated Hardware Cloth Is Best

 

Did you know that hardware cloth is available with a vinyl coated finish? Many people think that these wire meshes are only available with a galvanized after finish.

Both 1/2"x1/2" welded mesh with a 19 gauge "core" wire and 1/4"x1/4" welded mesh with a 23 gauge "core" wire are available with a black vinyl coating. The coating is firmly bonded to the wire. The vinyl will not crack or split when the wire is bent. 100' rolls are available in 24", 36" and 48" widths.

If you need to use hardware cloth for your next project, consider the advantages of using mesh that is black vinyl coated:

• durable
• longest lifetime
• easy to work with
• excellent for underground gopher barriers
• double protection of galvanizing and vinyl coating resists rust and corrosion
• attractive - black color blends with background, becoming virtually invisible

Do you have any unique projects you would like to share that use these vinyl coated meshes?

Lower Priced Wire Mesh and Fencing a Good Alternative?

 

In recent years a large amount of "lower cost" welded wire and mesh have come on the market, generally from overseas mills. Since budgets are usually tight for fencing and mesh, why not consider this lower price alternative?

Here are some factors to consider:

Wire Gauge:

Although a critical factor in predicting the strength and durability of wire, this is often sacrificed in favor of saving money. Bargain wire often pushes the lower tolerance limits of wire gauge, sometimes not meeting it at all.

Gauge Consistency:

An important property of any wire is that the thickness remain consistent from beginning to end and that the wire remains within its specified tolerance. In order to achieve this, a certain level of quality control must be maintained by the wire mill. Again, this standard can be compromised in favor of a low price.

Weld Integrity:

In welded wire, proper techniques need to be employed in order to maintain the strength and durability of the weld points. In order to reduce costs, production speed needs to be increased. One way to achieve this is to speed the weld process. This can result in weaker, inconsistent welds that can fail during installation and decrease the life of the product.

Vinyl Coating:

Traditional PVC coated welded wire is typically dipped in a liquid polymer after galvanization and allowed to dry. This seals the wire and welds and increases the life of the product. Lower cost welded wire can be sprayed on instead. This can result in a thinner coating that is subject to cracking and can expose the wire to the elements.

Given these factors, are the lower price alternatives worth the potential sacrifice of strength and durability?

High Tensile Wire Fence Breaking Strength - Video

Understanding the breaking strength of high tensile wire fence versus low carbon wire fencing. Bekaert's Steven Sarson illustrates the differences in this video.

What Is A Turtle or Tortoise Fence?

Arkansas DOT photo

 

Have you ever seen a turtle fence? They are being used more frequently to cut down on roadkill in areas where highways cross the natural migration routes of turtles.

What is a turtle fence?

• A turtle fence is a physical barrier that prevents turtles from entering any area.
• Fences can guide turtles to an underpass or other safe way of crossing the roadway.

What is the need for turtle fences?

• To reduce a source of distraction and a cause of accidents on high speed highways.
• To save lives.
• To protect and preserve endangered species.

How is a turtle fence made?

• Welded or woven wire fence with a 1/2"x1" to 2"x2" mesh is ideal.
• 16 to 12.5 gauge wires are sufficient.
• Galvanized before, galvanized after or vinyl coated mesh, depending on the desired lifetime of the fence.
• 24" to 36" height depending on species.

A turtle fence can be a costly project and is often a cause of debate. Maintenance, especially in areas of heavy snow, can be quite costly if the fence is damaged by snow plows. Do you think the expense is justified?

 

 

How To Install Fence - Instructions on Video

This instructional video from Bekaert points out important aspects of installing different types of high tensile agricultural fences - smooth wire, barbed wire, hinge joint field fence, fixed knot fence and horse fence.

Safety considerations, the importance of planning for your fence and fence post selection are covered. Clear instructions on how to install a brace are presented.

Wire Mesh For Railing Safety

Wire mesh can be used as an effective railing safety barrier on stairs, decks and walkways. Attached to a framework, the small openings of the mesh can prevent children from falling and restrain objects from falling on people below.

Both woven and welded wire meshes can be used. There are mesh and wire gauges available to meet a wide variety of safety requirements. And there are many different ways to put together an effective barrier.

Examples:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Strong 12.5 gauge woven wire field fence used as safety mesh along a river walk. The fence is turned upside down and the top edge is bent over for added strength. The fence is stapled to wood posts. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welded wire 2"x4" fencing used as safety mesh along a pathway to keep people from falling down the river bank. This is a simple solution. The top 4" of the fence is doubled over. This strengthens the mesh and allows the top of the fencing to be stapled to the top of the  post for extra strength.

 

 

 

The Birmingham Zoo used vinyl coated welded wire mesh as safety panels along walkways and in deck railings. The top picture shows 14 gauge 1"x2" mesh secured to wood posts. The bottom picture shows 1"x1" mesh that has been mounted in a metal frame. The frame is then attached to a finished railing assembly.

There are many other ways of using wire meshes to provide a safety mesh where required. The application and installation can be both simple and complex depending on what is required.

 

  

How To Install Bekaert's High Tensile Smooth Wire Fence - Video

Follow the instructions in this video and you will be able to competently install high tensile single strand smooth wire fence.

Good Woven Wire Horse Fence

Getting a horse for you or your children?

Will you be boarding the horse at a different location or keeping it on your own property?

There are two types of woven wire mesh fences perfect to use for horse paddocks - 2"x4" non-climb and Keepsafe diamond mesh.

 

2"x4" woven horse fence

        Features:

• Galvanized class 1 or class 3 finish for protection from rust and corrosion
• Black painted wire with heavy duty class 3 coating - blends into background
• Long lifetime
• Heavy 10 gauge top and bottom wires
• 12.5 gauge filler wires
• Strong square knots safely secure vertical and horizontal wires
• 2"x4" openings prevent hoof entanglement
• Flexible - allows "racking" over uneven ground contours
  
• No uneven or sharp wires to injure animals
• 48" and 60" heights in 100' rolls
  

 

Diamond mesh woven horse fence

        Features:

• Galvanized - class 1 and class 3 
• Close spacing of wires prevents hooves from becoming entangled
• Fence has spring and flexibility
• Horizontal wires - heavy double strands of 12.5 gauge wires are twisted for strength
• Vertical wires - 14 gauge wires create the V mesh
• Requires little maintenance when installed
• Rugged long lasting fence
• No sharp edges to harm horses or people
• 50"x165' and 58"x165' rolls available

Both fences can be hung on wood or studded T posts. Which ever style you choose, rest assured that your horses will be safe and secure. You will have a horse fence that is attractive, strong and durable.