Posted by Frank Langone on Mon, Jul 12, 2010
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?
Posted by Frank Langone on Tue, Apr 27, 2010
It's spring!
Are you planting a garden?
Do you already have a garden that you are getting ready for the season?
Do you need to protect your plants from being consumed by visiting animals?
Build a fence with welded or woven wire mesh - either galvanized or vinyl coated!
- Use a smaller mesh, especially at the bottom of the fence, to keep smaller animals from getting into your garden.
- Bury 12" or more of the fence underground to discourage burrowing.
- Bend 12" or more of the fence to the outside of your garden laying it on top of the ground for an effective protecting apron.
1" hexagonal chicken wire netting makes excellent barrier fencing.
- Black vinyl coated 1" hex is ideal - black blends with the background making the fence virtually invisible.
- PVC coating adds years of life to the fence.
- The wire is easy to work with.
- Rolls are available in different widths to suit your needs - from 12" through 90".
Hardware cloth is available in 1/2" square mesh when you need smaller openings.
- Vinyl coated 19 gauge wire welded into 1/2" x 1/2" mesh will discourage the smallest animals.
- Vinyl coated extends the lifetime of the fence.
- Rolls are 100' in length.
- Three heights are available: 24", 36" and 48".
Use larger mesh fences - 2" x 2", 2" x 3" and 2" x 4" - in combination with smaller mesh "ground wire".
- The smaller mesh gives protection where it's really needed.
- You have greater strength in the higher sections.
There are many possibilities that allow you to be creative in your solutions.
Plan ahead and be prepared!
What are your ideas?
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 Frank Langone on Mon, Dec 07, 2009
Want to do some projects before the holidays?
What kind of fence or mesh should you use?
Cages - for rabbits and other small animals
- 16 gauge, 1/2"x1" mesh - use Galvanized After Weld (GAW) for the bottom of cages
- 14 gauge, 1"x2" mesh - use Galvanized Before Weld (GBW) for the top and sides of cages.
Holiday Decorations- Hexagonal mesh netting, also known as poultry
fence
- Flexible - easy to work with and cut into shapes
- Galvanized - 1/2", 1" and 2" meshes
- Black vinyl coated - 1" mesh
- Small mesh hardware cloth
- 1/2"x1/2" and 1/4"x1/4" meshes
- galvanized and vinyl coated
Deer Exclusion Barriers- Protect your shrubs and plantings
- Heavy duty protection with woven galvanized deer and wildlife fence - height up to 10'
- Black vinyl coated 1" hexagonal netting blends into background - up to 7' height
- Unobtrusive, 7-1/2' light weight black extruded plastic 2"x1-3/4" mesh deer fencing
Bird Cages
- Galvanized and vinyl coated wire mesh
- 1/2" hexagonal mesh
- Galvanized After Weave (GAW)
- Excellent cage mesh for canaries and other small birds
- 48"x25', 50' and 150' rolls
Dog Kennel Flooring
- 1-1/2"x1-1/2" mesh
- Heavy 12.5 gauge GAW core wire
- Thick black or green PVC coating
- 36" and 48"x25' rolls are available (green only)
J Clip Pliers and Clips
- Excellent tool and fastener for building cages and other projects
- Connects and secures pieces of mesh
These items can be used year round as well.
Can you think of additional items?
Are there more uses for the products listed here?
Posted by Duncan Page on Wed, Oct 07, 2009
Watch this video and learn how to install vinyl coated welded wire garden fence. Keep rabbits and other looters from feasting on your plants.
Posted by Duncan Page on Mon, Jun 08, 2009
There are many different wire fence products available from which to choose. And it can be difficult to know which one to buy. One of the decisions you will need to make is whether you want a galvanized fence or a mesh that is vinyl coated.
What is the difference between galvanized and vinyl coated wire mesh and fence?
Galvanized fences and meshes are either welded or woven. There are
Galvanized Before Weld or Weave (GBW) and Galvanized After Weld or Weave (GAW) meshes. The difference between these two types is explained in our blog "Galvanized Before vs Galvanized After Mesh & Fence". The most common and most readily available fence meshes are GBW. These are the commodity meshes sold by all the big box stores. GAW products are harder to find. They are higher quality, more expensive and they will last years longer. Both share the same characteristic of having a galvanized finish. But GAW meshes are far superior.
Vinyl Coated (VC) fences are also available in either welded or woven meshes. They are different from galvanized products because they have a double layer of protection from rust and corrosion - vinyl coating over previously galvanized wire. This gives these meshes a longer life. The highest quality and longest lasting products with the best rust protection are those that feature vinyl coating on top of GAW wire. These are the meshes used in such things as lobster pots and crawfish traps.
Why are vinyl coated meshes more expensive?
The cost of the vinyl applied to the wire adds to the cost of the final product. Additional handling and processing during the manufacturing process also adds to the cost. 
Is vinyl coated fence really worth the extra expense?
Meshes and fences that have been vinyl coated have the longest lifetime due to the extra protection they have against rust and corrosion.
They are also more aesthetically pleasing. The black and green color stand out less than the brighter galvanized finish. In fact black mesh tends to disappear into the background, becoming virtually invisible. You can see whatever is on the other side of the fence more clearly.
It is also important to remember that although the initial cost of a vinyl coated fence is higher, it may ultimately be less expensive. Don't forget the cost and aggravation of needing to replace a product with a shorter lifetime.
How do you choose between galvanized and vinyl coated fence?
Think about how long you want the fence to last. How frequently will you want to replace it? If you want a fence that will last a long time and maintain its nice appearance, go with the vinyl coated mesh. If you only need the fence to last a few years, use a GBW mesh.
Think about how you want the fence to look. If the fence will be in a prominent place and you want it to look attractive, use a vinyl coated mesh. If the fence will be less visible and you don't mind a utilitarian appearance, use a GBW mesh. You can also use a GAW mesh if you want the fence to last longer.
Posted by Duncan Page on Tue, Apr 21, 2009
There are many different wire meshes that make excellent garden fencing. Fences that will protect your gardens from the ravages of animals both large and small. Meshes that will help your garden grow.
Welded wire garden fences come in different combinations of mesh size and wire gauge. They are available in three finishes:
- Galvanized Before Weld (GBW) meshes are the least expensive and will not last as long as the other two. When the galvanized wire is welded, the rust resisting zinc is burned off where the wires intersect. Moisture will collect at these vulnerable points. Rust begins and the fence gradually weakens.
- Galvanized After Weld (GAW) meshes are more costly initially, but their long lifetime can eliminate the expense and hassle of replacement. Following the welding process, the fence is drawn through a bath of molten zinc. The wire and the weld joints are thoroughly coated.
- Vinyl Coated (VC) meshes feature both long life and a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. Once the fence is welded, the PVC vinyl is tightly bonded to the wire as it passes through a heat process. Black is becoming the preferred color choice. It blends with the background, becoming virtually invisible. Your enclosed area can be clearly seen.
Meshes and gauges available:
1/4"x1/4" - 23 gauge - GAW and VC
1/2"x1/2" - 19 and 16 gauges - GBW, GAW and VC
1/2"x1" - 16 and 14 gauges - GBW, GAW and VC
1"X1" - 16, 14 and 12-1/2 gauges - GBW, GAW and VC
1"x2" - 14 gauge - GBW, GAW and VC
1-1/2"x1-1/2" -12-1/2 and 10-1/2 gauges - GAW and VC
3"x2" - 16 gauge - VC
1-1/2"x4" -14 gauge - VC
2"x4" - 14 and 12-1/2 gauges - GBW and VC
Woven wire garden fences are also available in the same three finishes. The characteristics of the GBW, GAW and VC finishes are identical to the welded meshes.
Meshes and gauges available:
1" hex netting chicken wire - 20 and 18 gauges - GBW, GAW and VC
1-1/2" hexagonal poultry wire - 17 gauge - Apron Fence - GBW and VC
2" hex netting - 20 gauge - GBW
2"x2" - 16 gauge - GBW
2"x4" - 12-1/2 gauge - GBW
Garden/Deer & Orchard (graduated openings - 1"x6 to 4"x6") - 14-1/2 gauge - GBW
Deer & Wildlife Fence (graduated openings) - 12-1/2 and 14 gauges - GBW
This is a general look at what is available for welded and woven wire meshes to fence in your garden. The type you choose depends on the needs of your particular project. And there is a product for every use.