The Fence Post

Panel Smart

If you are building a fence with a purpose around your home or business then you should consider welded wire fence panels. This type of fencing is the strongest that you can find. Because it is so strong, it is often used to enclose livestock and large animals. Also, many zoos use wire fence panels for their animal cages for display and to keep everyone safe. The wires and cross sections of the wire fence are welded together, to create a fortress that cannot be penetrated.

Stands Up to the Elements

You can get welded wire fencing in different types of thicknesses, depending on how strong you need it to be. Unlike a chain link fence, you can get welded wire fence panels designed exactly to the measurements that you need. In fact, all fence panels from Louis Page are custom-made. The welded wire fence panels are made of weather resistant material, so it will not be damaged or destroyed in even the most severe weather.

Panels or Rolls?

Fence panels are strong and highly weather resistant. But so is fencing that comes in a roll. A quick note about the difference between panels and rolls. Panels are easier to install. They come custom made to your specifications, need minimal to no cutting or cutting tools, and they can typically be installed by two people. All these attributes make panels ideal for quick installations with minimal work crews. Wire fence rolls are terrific for jobs that have larger work crews, professional installers, and materials like posts, rings, pliers, and everything else you need to make a fence. Most of our customers that buy fence rolls are using them on work sites for safety and protection reasons. That's not to say homeowners and landscapers aren't buying fence rolls, because they are! For projects like gardens that require protecting fruits and vegetables from deer, deer fencing is ideal. The gauge of the deer fence is strong enough to keep deer out and easier to manipulate because of its gauge size. But when it comes to pools (and other projects), fence panels are the answer.

Welded Wire Fence Panel Install Tips

If you are planning to install your fence on your own; here are a few tips that you should follow:

Tension

One of the most common mistakes that people make when installing their wire fence panels is low tension. If the fencing is not tight enough, it can sag or bow. This will take away from the security and durability of the fence. If you are using it to enclose large animals, the chances of them escaping are high. For tensioning the mesh, you simply need a pair of pliers.

T-Posts

It is important to understand that not all posts are built the same. You should use a steel t-post. If you are worried about the way that your fence is going to look, you should look into green metal posts. If you are going to be using the fence for livestock, you can consider an electric fence; however, you would need to install a T-post made of PVC, as it doesn't require any insulation between the electric wire and the fence.

Animals

If you are going to be using your fence to contain animals, you need to make sure that you are getting a fence large enough for the animals. Before you install the fence, you should take into consideration that your animals will grow and so may your herd. You also want to make it large enough to keep wild animals out of the enclosure.

If you need to install a strong fence on your property for safety purposes or to enclose large animals, fence panels are the best solution and/or welded wire fencing, rather than a chain link fence. Welded wire panels and fencing are strong, pleasing to the eye, and easy to install. Of course, fence panels are the easiest to install.

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Gabions Baskets: Function, Flexibility, and Good Looks

Gabion baskets are an earth-friendly solution to erosion and create a visually appealing landscape design. Many people live in areas where gabion baskets are needed but are unfamiliar with them. Contemporary gabion baskets are welded wire mesh panels held together with wire spirals or metal fasteners to make a wire mesh basket. The baskets are placed in the desired location and filled with rocks, stones, shells, wood, or earth--just about anything that weighs them down. This fill anchors the gabions down while allowing rain to seep through. They are completely permeable.

The numerous and varied uses include commercial applications, parks, zoos, and residential landscaping:

Gabions: Commercial Uses 

• Bridge abutments
• Retaining walls
• Land management
• Seashore protection
• Gully control
• Culverts
• Erosion control
• They don't require concrete foundations

I've even seen a restaurant using gabion baskets filled with seashells as a decorative wall.      

For Parks and Zoos

• Benches
• Pathway definition
• Climbing structures for children
• Partition walls
• Landscaping walls for plantings

And Why Choose Gabions?

• Durable for many decades
• Quick and easy installation
• Strength
• Environmentally aesthetic
• Use of on-site materials
• Varied ways of using gabions

Residential Applications

• Retaining walls
• Benches
• Erosion control
• Plantings of shrubs, vines, etc.
• Walls or benches around trees
• Firepits
• Partition walls

And They're Attractive

Since residential properties are usually on a smaller scale, you can choose different mesh openings and sizes. Many landscape designers plant greenery inside the baskets for a more earthy appeal. You can use baskets of many different sizes, thus creating interesting serpentine or angular pathways.

Some Important Details

The wire used for gabions is a zinc-coated welded wire. It is hot-dipped galvanized after the welding process which seals and protects the welds against corrosion. They also come in a black vinyl-coated finish. These are ideal for erosion control or to enhance the beauty of your property.

The standard size mesh for commercial use is 11 gauge, 3” x 3” opening size, 36” wide in galvanized or black vinyl coated finish. The baskets are shipped flat but partially assembled for easy installation. They are available in 3’ wide x 3’ high. They come in 3’, 6’, and 12’ lengths.  For residential use, you can use a 12.5 gauge wire with a smaller mesh opening size of 1.5” x 1.5” in either finish. They are also offered in a variety of heights, depending on your specifications.

Fight Erosion with Gabion Baskets

As you are considering your next outdoor project, whether it's a commercial establishment or a residence, gabion baskets are a great solution for stabilizing vast areas of possible erosion due to potential flooding conditions, providing definition to the landscape or just to have a sleek look on residential property.

A Very Brief History of Gabions

Gabions, originating from the Italian name gabbione, which means “big cage”, were used during the reign of the Egyptian Pharaohs and later in Europe during the Middle Ages. The Egyptians made them out of sedges--think bulrushes like Moses’ basket-- and filled them with sludge to stabilize the banks of the Nile River. The Europeans made gabions out of woven sticks and filled them with stones to fortify castles as well as for erosion control of river banks.

Photo credits:

Angled project: http://www.gabionbaskets.co.uk/

Serpentine project: http://www.minimalisti.com/

Welded Wire Mesh Fence Panels--a Variety of Purposes

Need to build a deck on your home, an animal enclosure, a boardwalk, or aquaculture related traps? It may be time to explore welded wire mesh panels. Welded wire mesh panels come in a variety of mesh configurations, gauges, and finishes. Many zoos use welded wire fence panels for their animal enclosures. Depending on the animal, a lighter or heavier gauge wire may be utilized. For decking purposes, you may choose a vinyl coated welded wire panel, or stainless steel is a long-lasting option. Nurseries use PVC (polyvinyl chloride) coated panels for greenhouse benches as well as aquaculture for the marine industry. There are many applications for welded wire mesh panels which may be suitable to your needs.

Choose your Gauge, and Proceed

Panels fabricated from previously manufactured rolls of wire are flattened and cut or sheared to size. As mentioned, welded wire mesh panels are offered in a variety of gauges (usually from 8 gauge to 16 gauge) depending on how strong the requirement or specification. Unlike a chain link fence, welded wire mesh panels can be offered to the measurements needed. Some wire mesh panels offered through Louis E. Page are custom fabricated and made-to-order, depending on the configuration and specifications. The vinyl coated welded wire mesh panels are coated with, as are the rolls of wire, weather resistant material, including UV.

Panels and Rolls
A quick note about the difference between panels and rolls.

• Panels are easy to install, especially when remodeling a deck on your home. They are custom made to your specifications, need minimal to no cutting and can typically be installed by one to two people. All these attributes make panels ideal for quick installs with minimal work crews.

• Wire fence rolls are perfect for jobs that have larger linear footage to cover which may require work crews and professional installers. There are also additional materials like posts, rings, pliers and everything else you need to install a fence. We have many different customers who use the wire mesh rolls for multi purposes like farming/agriculture, fencing, nurseries, and the like.

We offer many different varieties of wire rolls and panels, and we recommend discussing your projects with us. Don't hesitate to call us, we have the knowledge to provide the perfect solution.

Welded Wire Mesh Panels: Installation 

If the panels are going to be installed onto a wooden frame:

• Stapling the mesh to one side of the wood helps keep it in place
• It is recommended to staple it every few inches to keep it secure 
• It's best to use galvanized staples for weather resistance

The welded wire does not stretch like woven chain link fencing. Therefore, the panel size needs to be accurate when ordering.

Problem Solving

Depending on the wire gauge and the mesh opening of a panel, there may be a bow which may cause sagging. If this occurs and stapling isn't an option, a strand wire can be woven through the meshes to keep it upright and straight. The strand wire can be secured to a post and twisted as needed. Wire gauges and mesh openings play a significant role when determining what is best for an application.

T Posts--Length

It is important to understand that not all posts are the same. Steel T posts and U posts are offered as a solution when installing panels, as well as rolls of wire fencing. It is recommended using a post that is 2' (feet) longer or taller than the height of the finished fence height. For instance, if the height is going to be 5' tall, then 7' posts would be quite sufficient. You can use 6' posts, but over time may become loose or unstable in the ground.

Animals: Some Perspective

If you plan to enclose animals, please keep in mind that animals do grow and can outgrow their environment. Make sure the height of the panels or fence are large enough to keep them safe and to keep wild animals out. Also, consider the overall size of the enclosure carefully. The mesh openings and gauges play a significant role when making these decisions. Animals may have to walk on the wire so a smaller mesh opening would be more comfortable on their feet, but the sides of the cage/enclosure could have larger mesh openings to see in or out. 

Fence panels are large and require specific shipping logistics. We'll be happy to give you a free quote and help with the details. Unfortunately, panels cannot be ordered via our online shop at this time, but please give us a call.