Posted by Frank Langone on Mon, Sep 14, 2009
There are many different sizes of wire meshes that are available 
with small openings. Most often called hardware cloth, these meshes are usually welded using light gauge wire. After fabrication, the finished product is hot dipped in zinc. This Galvanized After process not only provides good protection against rust and corrosion, but also stiffens the welded fabric.
Until recently, Galvanized After woven meshes were as easy to obtain as the welded products. Woven mesh is not always exactly square due to the weaving process which can cause slight distortions resulting in a "wavy" mesh. Depending on the final application, woven products are often preferred over the welded meshes. They tend to be a bit heavier and stronger. They are also more costly.
As the small opening wire mesh size gets smaller, so does the gauge or thickness of the wires. The more common sizes and wire gauges of square meshes are:
- 1/2" - also known as 2x2 and 2 mesh (2 squares per inch) 19 gauge wire
- 3/8" - also known as 3x3 and 3 mesh (3 squares per inch) 21 gauge wire
- 1/4" - also known as 4x4 and 4 mesh (4 squares per inch) 23 gauge wire
- 1/8" - also known as 8x8 and 8 mesh (8 squares per inch) 27 gauge wire
There are many other Galvanized After mesh 
sizes and gauges available as well. These are often called industrial wire cloth. They are woven, heavier, more expensive, and often must be special ordered. The more common sizes are:
- 5/8" - 17 gauge wire
- 3/4" - 16 gauge wire
In addition to galvanized products, the 1/2", 19 gauge and 1/4", 23 gauge mesh styles are available with a black PVC coating over the Galvanized After core wire.
These excellent and long lasting meshes can meet the requirements of many different projects.
Posted by Duncan Page on Tue, Feb 24, 2009
Vinyl Coated Hardware Cloth - small opening, galvanized after weld (GAW) wire mesh covered with a thick coating of black vinyl. There are two specifications available: 19 gauge - 1/2" x 1/2" mesh and 23 gauge - 1/4" x 1/4" mesh. The thick, flexible UV inhibited PVC coating is tightly bonded to the underlying wire. Black color blends with the background, becoming virtually invisible. This tough durable finish stands up to rough treatment and can be used in any situation where a long lasting small mesh is needed. Vinyl coated hardware cloth has the following features:
- black coating is unobtrusive - it blends with the background
- ideal for use in wet areas - underwater or underground applications
- thick, tough, black PVC coating over galvanized after weld (GAW) wire mesh
- double protection from rust and corrosion - outlasts galvanized hardware cloth
- excellent underground gopher barrier
- easy to see through window glass or screen protection
- prevents small rodents from gnawing the bark off young trees
- makes an effective, unobtrusive barrier to prevent small nuisance animals from entering an area around or in the home
- use as an apron attached to a fence or as a buried ground wire to keep animals from digging under a fence
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| 19 gauge 1/2" x 1/2" | 23 gauge 1/4" x 1/4"
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