The Fence Post

Your Silent Neighbors

Deer are among the most adaptable animals on earth. More than 90 different species of deer have found homes all over the earth, in nearly every habitat imaginable, from dense forests and mountainous terrain to marshes and deserts.  Though types of deer may be found in a variety of environments, deer typically inhabit the border zones that mark the transition from forests to meadows, where there are soft grass and other plants for them to eat and adequate cover for them to safely spend the night, relatively protected from predators.

With Keen Senses 

With their keen sense of smell and hearing, they can react to danger speedily. Their eyes set at the sides of the head means efficient scanning all-around. Their long legs are highly-muscled, able to carry them at speeds up to 30 miles per hour. Their hooves at the front can be long and sharp and are used for defense; males also use antlers to fight off predators. To sound the alert, they stomp their hooves, and white-tailed deer raise their tales so the white spot behind enables the herd to follow more readily. Additionally, they can jump and swim when they are at threat. 

Adapting

Undeniably, there is another creature that likes to live in nearly every type of habitat, all around the world. That creature is the human being. Deer have little aversion to living close to humans. In fact, since they are so adaptable, most deer are quite willing to help themselves to landscape and garden plants provided by humans. This is quite convenient for the deer, but much less desirable for the people who find their nice-looking yards destroyed by deer. People who have never witnessed it have difficulty understanding just how destructive and thorough a herd of deer can be.

Fencing is Best

If you'd like to avoid having deer in your yard, perhaps you could just design your yard to make it unattractive to them. The two biggest problems with this approach are that humans tend to enjoy the same types of landscaping that deer enjoy and deer will eat almost anything. If you choose to live in an area that is inhabited by deer and you want to keep your garden or yard safe, you will need to keep the deer out. You can protect a garden with fencing, which is the only really effective way to keep deer out.

And What Type of Fence?

There are many different styles of deer fence available. When you want to protect a garden with fencing, you will need to consider three characteristics of your new fence.

• Materials

The two most common materials used in protective fencing are metal and plastic. Metal fencing tends to be more durable than plastic but is also more expensive. If you want to get the maximum life from your fence, consider using galvanized steel or welded mesh that has been coated in PVC. This has the added benefit of blending into your yard, making the fence less of an eyesore, particularly when using a black PVC coating.

• Height

To protect your yard from deer, a six-foot fence is an absolute minimum, although an eight-foot fence is an ideal choice. An eight-foot fence may cost a little more, but it is better to install the right fence from the start than to have to rebuild your inadequate fence a few seasons later.

• Appearance

This is the final characteristic to consider; it is also the point where you will have the most options. Deer fencing is available in an enormous variety of styles and colors, for everything from an austere, industrial look to an aesthetically pleasing look that blends in with the environment.

Manufacturing Wire

To make wire, manufacturers start with a rod of metal; for fencing, steel is the most common choice.  This rod of metal is pulled through a metal plate with a hole in it.  This metal plate is called a die, and the process of pulling the metal through the die is known as drawing.  This process is repeated again and again with progressively smaller dies until the desired wire size is reached.  Originally, the gauge of the wire referred to the number of times that the drawing process was done.  Wire manufacturers started with Gauge 0 metal rods and repeated the drawing process as many times as necessary.  In earlier times, the size of the dies and the wires produced through them could vary significantly from one shop to another, because of low-tech machining processes.  As machining and manufacturing became more precise, this variance began to become a problem. This eventually led to the standardization of wire gauge information; from that point on, each gauge measurement has corresponded to a particular size of wire.

Sizing

In the United States and Canada, the typical standard for wire gauge is called the American Wire Gauge.  In this system, the diameter of wire of a particular gauge is determined by a mathematical formula.  Using this formula, manufacturers are free to develop wire of any arbitrary gauge, including half or other fractional gauges.  Here is a list of common wire gauges that are used in fencing and their corresponding measurements:

•  8.5 gauge - 0.155 inch
•  9 gauge - 0.1483 inch
• 10.5 gauge - 0.128 inch
• 11 gauge - 0.1205 inch
• 12.5 gauge - 0.099 inch
• 14 gauge - 0.080 inch
• 16 gauge - 0.0625 inch
• 18 gauge - 0.0475 inch
• 20 gauge - 0.0348 inch
• 21 gauge - 0.0317 inch
• 23 gauge - 0.0258 inch
• 27 gauge - 0.0173 inch

Different gauges of wire and different materials have different properties for flexibility, durability, and electrical conductivity, any or all of which may impact their usefulness as fencing material.  Your specific needs will determine what gauge of wire is best for your fence.

Reputable Vendors

In many cases, the choice of wire gauge will be made for you when you choose a particular style and type of fence. It is good to understand wire gauge information, but it is best not to get too caught up in it.  Rather than looking for a fence made of a particular gauge of wire, check out fences in person whenever possible, and choose a fence that feels sturdy.  When this is impossible, be sure to deal with an experienced, reputable vendor that can offer you more than just a number. If you call Louis Page, you will find ready help in discerning what gauge and style of fence is appropriate to your project. (866) 328-5018

Welded wire fencing is similar in design to a chain-link fence, but, as the name implies, the wires making up the fence are welded together, making the fence stronger. If you want to install welded wire fencing on your property, there are several things to look for in a quality welded wire fence.

• Manufacturer

First, look for fencing made by a good manufacturer. A history of making quality products and a reputation for good customer service are the indicators of the best manufacturers. Look for these characteristics when you are shopping for welded wire fencing.

• Country of Origin

Building wire fencing is not too complex. Wires are assembled on a jig and welded together, often by machines. Because there is little labor involved, there is little advantage in choosing fencing manufactured overseas, where labor costs are lower. The price of shipping increases costs; to keep prices competitive, many overseas fencing companies must cut corners on materials. Choosing fence products made closer to home makes it more likely that you will end up with a quality product that will last for many years.

• Wire Gauge

Gauge is a measurement of the diameter of a piece of wire. Originally, gauge referred to the number of drawing steps required to manufacture wire of a specific diameter; now, wire gauges are standardized to correspond to specific sizes.  Lower numbers are thicker. Wire fencing is typically made from 12 to 16 gauge wire, with a diameter of 0.08 to 0.05 inches.

• Wire Finish

Steel is a common metal used in making welded wire fencing, but it is susceptible to corrosion. To combat this, most welded wire fencing has some kind of protective finish. This finish could be paint, plastic, or zinc. Steel protected by a thin layer of zinc is called galvanized steel. Galvanization can be done before or after welding. Galvanizing before welding offers some protection, but galvanizing after welding gives steel a thicker, stronger zinc coat that is extremely durable and can withstand many years of harsh elements. A vinyl coating is also an option. Vinyl is often combined with galvanization, giving the fence the best of both protection and looks.