The Fence Post

 Apocalypse--when?

According to Wikipedia, the Mayan calendar predicted that cataclysmic or transformative events were to occur on December 21, 2012. This date was regarded as the end date of a 5,125 year-long cycle in the Mesoamerican Long Count calendar. Various astronomical alignments and numerological formulae have been proposed as pertaining to this date, though none has been accepted by mainstream scholarship.

A New Age interpretation of this transition is that the date marked the start of time in which Earth and its inhabitants may undergo a positive physical or spiritual transformation. December 21st was to mark the beginning of a new era. Others suggest that the date marked the end of the world or a similar catastrophe.

Some scenarios suggested for the end of the world:

• the arrival of the next solar maximum
• an interaction between Earth and the black hole at the center of the galaxy
• Earth's collision with a planet called Nibiru.

Wait a minute!

Since you're reading this blog you have obviously disregarded the dire warnings and predictions about the world's demise and continue making plans for the days, weeks, months, and years to come. And you have survived whatever may have happened on December 21st, realizing yet again that another predicted catastrophic ending of the world never materialized.

In either case, you are free to think about what type of fencing materials you will need.

Okay, so what's your fence for?

• Define your property or boundary line?
• Keep deer and other wildlife away from your trees?
• Keep pets from running all over the neighborhood?
• Protect children as they play securely in your yard?
• Prevent gophers from destroying your lawn and plantings?
• Prevent "critters" from entering your garden to eat your plants?
• Protect your home and property from nuisance wildlife damage?

And the particulars for this fence?

• What height is required?
• Do you need a large or a smaller mesh?
• Is your land flat or does the terrain vary?
• Are you trying to keep something in or out?
• How many feet will you need to do the job right?
• Do you want to install the fencing materials yourself?
• Would it be better to have it installed by a reputable fence company?

Varieties, Styles...

Make sure you are looking for the right kind of fencing to do the job correctly. Many varieties and styles of fence are available for your consideration and needs.

Finish - galvanized before, galvanized after, vinyl coated, stainless steel

Construction - woven, welded mesh

Mesh sizes - fencing materials are available in a variety of mesh opening sizes:

   Welded: 3" x 3", 2" x 4", 2" x 3", 2" x 2" 1½" x 4", 1" x 2 " and 1" x 1"

   Woven: ½", 1", 1½" hex, 2" x 2", 2" x 4" and the varying openings of field fence

Wire gauges - from lightweight 20 gauge up to heavyweight 10.5 gauge

So, cataclysms aside, feel free to check out our helpful Fence and Mesh Guide to help you decide:

The Strength of a Storm 

Does your yard look like this?

Have recent storms wreaked havoc on your fence and property?

Have the storm surge and wave action washed away your beach erosion fence and T posts?

Buzzwords

Unfortunately, this scene is common throughout the wide area of destruction caused by recent storms. The new buzzword, bomb cyclone (or bombogenesis), describes the strength of a storm by the 24 (or more) millibars dropped in a 24 hour period--the lower the stronger. A recent storm dropped 30 millibars. 

If your fence was damaged or destroyed by the recent storm or past storms, you are faced with the decision of what to do next.

Call the Professionals?

Will you need to replace the supporting posts and other key pieces and rebuild the fence? How long will it take to complete the necessary repairs? You may want to do the work yourself. But with everything else demanding your attention you may not have the time and energy to do the work. There may be other more pressing issues you need to address. Calling in a professional and reputable fence installer to do the replacement work for you would be a good choice. You can relax, knowing the job will be done right.

Maybe the damage is more cosmetic?

Perhaps there are just a few pieces that need to be replaced. Can you re-use any of the old pieces to fix it? See if the items you need can be purchased at your local lumberyard or building supply store. If the repair is easy and quick, you can probably do it yourself. Think it through before you make a decision. And if you need professional help, call a qualified fence company.

Was it time to replace the fence anyway?

Was it old and in need of repair? Had you had grown tired of it? If you had been thinking about replacing it with something more to your liking, this could be the perfect time to make the change. Take advantage of the opportunity. Consult with your professional fence installer. Investigate the new possibilities.

What is reusable?

Snow fence supported by studded T posts is used for beach erosion control. Is there any beach left or has all the sand been washed away? Wave action at the time of high tide combined with the storm surge was very destructive. In many areas, beach and dune topography was severely altered. After an assessment, it will be necessary to determine what the next steps are to protect whatever is left. If you can find the posts they might be able to be salvaged and reused. If not, they will have to be purchased along with the snow fence.

Did you have any fence damage on your property? Is it something you need to have fixed or replaced? Or will you decide to remove it and not have any fence?

High Tensile Tough

Ever wondered how to put up high tensile field fencing? Installing a field fence can pose many challenges if you don't know how to do it. Watch this instructional video below from Stay-Tuff and learn how: to keep your animals safer; make your fence last longer; add value to your property! It will guide you through the steps, from planning to completion.

 1. Planning your field fence

• Take time to sketch a map and layout the fence, locating corners and gates.
• Think about your future fencing needs.
• Make sure you have all the necessary tools to complete the job.
• Note any natural obstacles - streams, gullies, etc.
• Clear the fence line, removing brush and any obstacles.

2. Set the posts

• Install end, corner, and brace posts.
• Build horizontal brace members to support tensioning of wire.
• Remove knots to tie off horizontal wires to end posts.

• Tension the fence sections using a stretcher-bar.
• Splice lengths of fencing together.

4. Attach the fence to posts

• Staple horizontal fence wires to wood posts.
• Secure fence to metal T posts with T post ties.

Now sit back and enjoy!

Sculptures Made with Chicken Wire?

There are many different uses for chicken wire. It is much more versatile than you might expect. Here, a unique practice is crafting the hexagonal netting into sculptured works of art. Ivan Lovatt, a sculptor from Australia, has created a stunning collection of artwork. Using galvanized chicken wire, he has made representations of both people and wildlife. A bust of John Lennon? Bring it on. This type of chicken wire is moldable with a neutral yet characteristic sheen. The small, light gauge mesh allows him to bend, fold, crease, and cut the mesh into its final shape. The result is an amazingly life-like rendition. Take a look at this video and see what you think:

A Wide Variety of Applications

The most common specifications of chicken wire available are made using 20 gauge wire woven into 1" or 2" hexagonal mesh. Other types available are ½" x 22 gauge, 1" x 18 gauge, and 1½ x 17 gauge.

Finishes available are: galvanized before weave (GBW), galvanized after weave (GAW), PVC vinyl coated (VC), and stainless steel. Not all specifications are available in all finishes.

This fencing material is ideal for use around the home, farm, and in industrial applications - any place where a lighter weight mesh can be used. Here are some conventional uses:

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

Yep, not just for chickens!

How many different ways can you think of using chicken wire? Have you tried using it that way?

 P.S. See the finished bust of John Lennon here.

Very Proudly American Made 

From scrap to wire rod to finished woven and welded wire mesh fence materials - Oklahoma Steel and Wire does it all. Barbed and barbless wire, welded wire fence and panels, field and farm fence, high tensile deer and wildlife fence, sheep and goat fence, and 2" x 4" and V-mesh horse fence.