Our Blog - "The Fence Post"

How To Choose The Right Welded Or Woven Wire Fence

There are so many different types of welded and woven wire fences available today. Making an informed decision about which fence mesh you should use can be challenging. How do you choose the right fence?

During the process of making your decision, take the following into consideration:

• How long do you want the fence or mesh to last?

• Will the fence be permanent or temporary?

• Is the appearance of the fence or mesh important?

• How visible will the fence be?

• Will your fence be partially hidden by trees or foliage?

• What factors or requirements determine the mesh size that you want to use?

• Are there any zoning or code limitations?

• What factors will determine the height of your fence?

• Do you want a barrier to keep people or animals out of an area?

• Is it important that the fence safely contain children or pets?

• What environmental factors exist that could potentially shorten the lifetime of the wire?

• Will the fence be exposed to corrosive substances?

• Does your project require a lot of labor and expense that will need to be repeated more frequently if you use a less costly product and the wires rust through and need to be replaced?

• Will the appearance of rusting wires be objectionable?

• Does it make sense to use a more expensive product with a longer lifetime?

• Do you want a galvanized finish or a less intrusive vinyl coated finish?

These are only some of the questions you may want to answer before going ahead with your project. A reputable and professional fence installer can also be a great help in guiding you to your final decision.

 

Stainless Steel Welded Wire Mesh & Fence

Stainless steel is well known for its strong resistance to rust and corrosion. Often specified for use in areas with a high potential of exposure to corrosive elements, stainless steel welded wire mesh and fence will last for many years. It is an especially fine product to use in coastal locations where the exposure to salt water and spray can rapidly degrade less robust products. Or use it in animal cages where it will stand up to the caustic effects of urine and feces. The smaller meshes make excellent barriers for nuisance wildlife exclusion.

Although initially more expensive, stainless steel products may have a longer lifetime than other types of welded and woven wire meshes and fences. The expense, the labor, the time and the hassle of replacement can be greatly reduced, if not eliminated.

Many specifications of welded stainless steel wire products are available in a variety of gauge, mesh and roll sizes. The most commonly used are listed below.

 

Type 304 - the most common grade, the classic 18/8 stainless steel with a composition of 18% chromium and 8% nickel.

23 gauge 

•  1/4" x 1/4" mesh

21 gauge

• 1/3" x 1/3" mesh

19 gauge

• 1/2" x 1/2" mesh

18 gauge

• 1/3" x 1/3" mesh

16 gauge

• 1/2" x 1/2" mesh
• 1/2" x 1" mesh
• 1" x 1" mesh
• 2" x 2" mesh

14 gauge

• 1" x 1" mesh
• 1" x 2" mesh
• 2" x 2" mesh

Type 316 - the second most common grade with the addition of molybdenum.

18 gauge

• 1/2" x 1/2" mesh

 

This is not a complete listing of the stainless steel welded wire mesh and fence specifications. A variety of woven meshes are also available.

Sheep & Goat Fence - 4"x4" Woven Wire Mesh

 

Keystone Steel & Wire manufactures Red Brand Sheep & Goat Fence in the USA. This is a strong woven wire fence. Galvanized 12-1/2 gauge wires are woven into a 4"x4" mesh. A third wire wraps each joint securely with a "square deal" knot. Stronger 10 gauge wires are used as the top and bottom wires. Woven construction gives the fence some flexibility, making it easier to erect on uneven ground.  This fence is made with both class 1 and heavier class 3 galvanized coating.

Sheep and goat fence is strong enough to safely contain your animals. It also provides protection from predators. There are no sharp edges anywhere on this fence to cut animals or people. Galvanized finish resists weathering and gives the mesh a long life. It is available with both standard class 1 finish and heavier class 3 finish for even longer life. The 4"x4" squares are the perfect size for containing sheep and goats. The strong mesh design provides safe confinement and discourages animals from putting their heads through the openings. The fence is flexible and minimizes potential for injury by flexing on impact.

Rolls come in two sizes: 48"x100' and 48"x330'. Sheep and goat fence can be stapled to wood posts or hung on studded T posts. It can also be used for dog runs as well as yard and boundary fences.

Read our February 17, 2009 video blog for information about how to install woven wire fence.

 

Deer Fence - Wire & Plastic Mesh Choices

Deer have become a major nuisance. Each year their range gets more constricted by housing and commercial development. The inevitable consequence is that deer have been forced to plunder people's private gardens and plantings as well as orchards and large farms. The damage and loss can easily run into thousands of dollars. What is the fence solution to this growing problem? There are deer fence wire and plastic mesh products available to address this situation.

Galvanized High-tensile Woven Wire Deer Fence - These strong wire mesh fences are woven from 12-1/2 gauge, class 3 heavily galvanized Hi-tensile wire. The horizontal and vertical wires are tightly bound together with fixed knot construction. Wires are held firmly yet the fence still has some flexibility to handle rolling terrain. Vertical one piece wires cannot come unwound. Specifications are available from 48" through 120" heights. Some rolls are class 3 with wire that is painted black. Black wire blends with the background, becoming virtually invisible. All these deer fence wire meshes feature graduated openings or spacings between horizontal wires. The bottom space is smaller and the spacing gets wider as you approach the top. Rolls are usually 330' long. Hi-tensile woven deer fence products are heavy duty and provide a lot of protection. Although mainly used in agricultural settings, they will keep deer out of any location. Rolls are available in heights of 48", 60", 61", 75", 90", 96" and 120".

Black Vinyl Coated Deer Fence - Woven from 20 gauge wire, this 1" hexagonal netting has a thick and rugged coating of PVC tightly bonded to the wire. Lighter in weight than the Hi-tensile rolls, this deer fence mesh is easier to handle and install. It is ideal for protecting individual shrubs and trees, gardens and entire yards. The black color blends into the background. Rolls are 90"x100' and weigh 100 pounds.

Black Polypropylene Deer Fence - Heavy Duty Perimeter Fence made by Tenax is the lightest weight of all available varieties. This deer fence plastic mesh was specifically designed as a fence system for deer exclusion and protection in densely populated suburban areas. This deer fence features a 2"x1-3/4" extruded mesh. The UV stabilized black netting is almost invisible. Your fence will not block your view. As with the hex mesh, this poly net can be used to protect individual trees, shrubs, gardens and entire properties. lightweight and easy to handle, the rolls measure 90"x164' and weigh 35 pounds.

Hex Netting Chicken Wire Mesh & Fence

Hex netting, chicken wire, hexagonal mesh - these are some of the names given to this widely used and versatile mesh and fence. There are three types of hex netting available: Galvanized Before Weave (GBW), Galvanized After Weave (GAW) and vinyl coated (VC).

GBW - the most common type of hex netting available. These utility meshes are economical and have many uses. Standard size rolls are 12", 18", 24", 30", 36", 48", 60" and 72" widths. The netting is woven from 20 gauge galvanized wire into 1" and 2" hexagonal meshes. There is also a 1-1/2" hex mesh woven from heavy 17 gauge galvanized wire that is available in 60" and 72" widths. These rolls are known as Apron Fence. They feature a 12" apron at the bottom of each roll which can be placed on the surface of the ground to prevent animals from digging under the fence.

GAW - hex netting chicken wire mesh and fence have been dipped in a bath of molten zinc after the weaving process. This gives them excellent protection from rust and corrosion. They are so rugged that they have been named "Salt Water Netting" by the mill. GAW meshes will last for many years before they need to be replaced. The rolls can be made with both 20 gauge and 18 gauge wires in 1" hexagonal mesh, 24", 36", 48" and 72" widths. There also is a very strong and heavy 16 gauge 1" mesh available in 72"x180' rolls. This specification is used as screening for paddle tennis courts.

VC - meshes are covered by a thick coating of black PVC and have a significantly longer life than GBW meshes. After the galvanized 20 gauge wire is woven, the resulting mesh is passed through a coating process that bonds the black vinyl tightly to the wires. The PVC will not crack or separate from the wire when the wire is bent. It has UV inhibitors to stand up to exposure to the sun. And it maintains its characteristics over a wide temperature range. Standard widths in 150' rolls are 12", 18", 24", 36", 48", 60" and 72". Special 90"x100' rolls are available and can be used as effective deer fence. The 17 gauge 1-1/2" hex netting Apron Fence is also available with a black vinyl coating. The black color makes the fence nearly invisible when installed.

Some of the uses for hex netting chicken wire mesh and fence include:

• framework for sculpture and float decorations
• chicken runs and poultry houses
• game bird flight pens
  
• stucco netting
• garden fencing
• trellis for climbing plants & flowers 
  
• window guards
• exclusion barriers for birds
• tree and shrub protection
• hold insulation in place
• craft projects
• as a backing mesh for post and rail fence

There are many different hex netting chicken wire meshes and fences to choose from, depending on your needs.

Wire and Plastic Mesh & Fence - How to Make a Choice

There are so many different types of plastic and wire meshes and fences available that making the correct choice for your project can be difficult. And the limited choices available at most retail stores may not meet your requirements. The big box stores have no interest in stocking anything more than the basic commodity items. There are many specifications that just aren't available - wire or plastic mesh and fence that may be just what you need.

Before you make a final decision on the product you want, make sure you have thought about and thoroughly considered all your options. The following questions may help you decide:

• Why do I need or want a fence?
• What do I hope to accomplish with this fence?
• Will the fence solve the problem or satisfy the need?
  
• Will the fence serve multiple purposes?
• Do I want the fence or mesh to last a long time?
• Are there any requirements that determine the mesh size that I want to use?
• Should the fence act as a barrier to keep something in or keep something out of an area?
• Where can I go and how do I get answers to my questions about the right product to use?
• When is it better to use a woven instead of a welded wire fence or mesh?
  
• Are there unique environmental factors that could potentially shorten the lifetime of the fence?
• Would it be better for me to use plastic or wire mesh or fence?
• Does my project require a lot of labor and expense that I will need to repeat if I use a less costly product with a shorter lifetime?             
  
• Does it make more sense for me to use a more expensive product with a longer lifetime?
• Is the appearance of the fence or mesh an important consideration?
• Is a plastic mesh really strong enough to use?
• Is one product more difficult to install than another?
• How tall a fence do I need?
• Are some fences easier to install if the ground is not level but has dips and rises?
• Are there any local codes or ordinances that put restrictions on my fence?
• Do I want the fence to blend into the background as much as possible?

This list represents only some of the questions you may have. Hopefully it may suggest some aspects you have not considered. Some other blogs here may be able to help you answer additional questions.

Vinyl Coated Wire Mesh & Fence

What makes vinyl coated wire mesh and fence so desirable?

Welded and woven wire meshes that are vinyl coated will last a long time. This is especially true for fences with a thick coating of PVC bonded to the wire by a heat process. Though more expensive initially, the extended lifetime and the reduced hassle and frequency of replacement and repair of these meshes can make them more cost effective in the long run. Good quality vinyl coated products have the following characteristics:

• The vinyl is tough, flexible and abrasion resistant.
• The coating will not crack when the wire is bent.
• It retains these qualities across a wide temperature range.
• If the PVC has UV inhibitors, the coating will resist degradation from sunlight.
• The vinyl gives meshes and fences superior resistance to weathering and chemical exposure.
• There are no sharp or rough edges to cut people or animals.
• Vinyl coated wire fences are attractive and easy on the eyes.
• Black color is virtually invisible when installed - your fence won't block your view.

What can these products be used for?

Vinyl coated wire meshes and fences are available in many different gauges and mesh sizes. The lighter gauges and smaller meshes are available in rolls. They can be used for:

• aviaries and small animal cages
• crawfish traps and crab pots
  
• barriers to prevent nuisance wildlife from gaining entrance to your house
• ground wire to keep burrowing animals out of your garden and lawn areas
  

Heavier gauges and larger meshes come in rolls. In some cases they can be special ordered in panels. These meshes can be used for:

• attractive strong fences for your yard and garden
• play yards for children
  
• long lasting flooring for dog kennels
• greenhouse benches
• lobster traps
• tennis courts
• pet containment
  
• turtle barrier fences
• wire panel inserts for deck railings
• swimming pool fences that meet safety codes
• heavy duty security fences
  

When should you consider buying and using vinyl coated wire mesh and fence?

• When you need a product that looks attractive.
• When you want it to last for years.
• When you need a mesh that will be resistant to harsh chemicals.
• When you want a superior product.