---
title: High Tensile Fence vs. Low Carbon Fence - What's The Difference?
description: Traditional field and farm fence is easy to use but prone to stretching and sagging, requiring regular upkeep. High tensile wire is lighter but stronger.
---

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# [High Tensile Fence vs. Low Carbon Fence - What's The Difference?](https://www.louispage.com/blog/bid/11927/high-tensile-fence-vs-low-carbon-fence-what-s-the-difference)

 Written by [Duncan Page](https://www.louispage.com/blog/author/duncan-page) | April 1, 2010

<https://www.louispage.com/fences/deer-wildlife>

**The Advantages of High Tensile Wire**

- Are you thinking about using field fence to enclose your animals and property?
- Agricultural fencing is available in two types of wires: low carbon and high tensile. What's the difference?
- Is there an advantage to using one over the other?

**Low Carbon Wire - easy to work with, but...**

For years, traditional field and farm fence have been made using low carbon wire. Low carbon wire used in fencing is usually made from steel rod with a carbon content of approximately 0.10%. It is easy to work with but is prone to stretching and sagging. It requires regular maintenance and is weaker than high tensile wire.

**High Tensile Wire** - inherently Stronger

This wire has become very popular due to its advantages. It is made from steel rod with a carbon content of approximately 0.28%. Higher carbon content makes high tensile wire stronger. Its higher psi rating gives it a higher breaking strength. To get the same strength, you can use a lighter gauge high tensile wire in place of a heavier low carbon wire. You can complete your project at a lower cost.

- Lighter weight also means easier handling and installation. Fewer posts are required so you can increase the spacing between posts. If installed properly, high tensile fences require little maintenance. Re-tensioning is not necessary.
- During installation high tensile fencing requires less tension to make it tight. The wire is stiffer and will not stretch and sag. This characteristic gives it flexibility - it will give and bounce back when animals lean against it.

This video shows quite dramatically the differences between these two types of wire:

 

Install a high tensile fence and you will have a longer-lasting, lower maintenance fence for less cost than a conventional low carbon fence. Which would you choose?

 

    

 

[View full post](https://www.louispage.com/blog/bid/11927/high-tensile-fence-vs-low-carbon-fence-what-s-the-difference)

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