The Fence Post

An Informed Decision

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. Louis Page can help with these questions and assist you in your search. A reputable and professional fence installer can also be a great help in guiding you to your final decision.

 

 

Going Coastal

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.

An Extra Long Life of Service

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.

 

Woven, Galvanized, Flexible

Stay-Tuff Sheep & Goat Fence is made right here in the USA. This strong wire fence features galvanized 12-1/2 gauge high tensile class 3 wires woven into a 4"x 4" mesh. Vertical and horizontal wires are joined by strong stiff stay knots. Woven construction gives the fence some flexibility, making it easier to erect on uneven ground.  

Containment and Protection from Predators

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, has a long life and is available in the heavier class 3 finish, and is an economical choice, lasting much longer than the standard farm fence. The 4"x 4" 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. It is said that if a goat can fit its head through an opening, the rest of it will follow.  The fence is flexible and minimizes the potential for injury by flexing on impact.

Standing up to Heavy Use

Goats use fences. As a goat sheds its thick winter coat, a fence is used to rub off that fur--repeatedly. And let us not forget that a goat will assist with trimming all of your garden back so a fence is mandatory to protect the rest of your garden. As for your seemingly lethargic sheep, don't underestimate their ability to find their way past your enclosure. They are can be destructive and determined, so an appropriate fence is imperative.   

And About Size?

Rolls come 48"x 330'. 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. 

To finish, here's something for the those who are romantic about keeping goats.

 

At our house, they munch on hostas

 

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 and:

• 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 nicely, 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".

Vinyl Coated Deer Fence that Blends

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" x 100' and weigh 72 pounds.

Black Polypropylene Deer Fence - Easy Handling

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" x 1-3/4" 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" x 164' and weigh 35 pounds.

 

 

Hex Netting with a Variety of Applications

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). Scroll down for a variety of applications.

GBW   (Galvanized Before Weld)

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    (Galvanized After Weld)

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" x 180' rolls--this specification is used often as screening for paddle tennis courts

VC  (Vinyl Coated)

Vinyl coated 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
• UV inhibitors stands up to exposure from the sun
• Maintains its characteristics over a wide temperature range

Standard widths in 150' rolls are 12", 18", 24", 36", 48", 60" and 72". Special 90" x 100' rolls are available and can be used effectively as 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.