The Fence Post

A Lifetime of Service

A gabion is a welded wire basket or cage filled with earth or rocks. It is typically used to build a support or abutment. Gabion mesh is welded from heavy 11 gauge wire. The mesh has 3" x 3" openings. Usually, the mesh is Galvanized After Weld (GAW), providing long life and excellent rust protection. In situations where gabion baskets will be exposed to water and constant moisture, mesh with a thick, rugged coating of PVC is recommended. The vinyl overlays the GAW wire and assures an even longer lifetime.

Standard or Custom Sizes

Gabion mesh is also available in panels that are assembled to make baskets. The standard basket size is 3' x 3' x 6'. For larger baskets, 9' and 12' lengths are also available. And for specific jobs, custom sizes can be special ordered.

A Variety of Configurations and Uses

The rectangular wire mesh gabion baskets are shipped flat. They are fully assembled and filled with rock at your project site to form flexible, permeable, monolithic structures such as retaining walls for commercial, industrial, and road projects. They are also used for erosion control, bank stabilization, channel linings, and weirs. Gabions can be used in both residential and commercial projects.

A Short History

From Wikipedia: Gabion (from Italian gabbione meaning "big cage"; from Italian gabbia and Latin cavea meaning "cage") are cages, cylinders, or boxes filled with soil or sand that are used in civil engineering, road building, and military applications. For erosion control, caged riprap (a quantity of stones, broken or not) is used. For dams or foundation construction, cylindrical metal structures are used. In a military context, earth or sand-filled gabions are used to protect artillery crews from enemy fire. Leonardo da Vinci designed a type of gabion called a Corbeille Leonard ("Leonard basket") for the foundations of the San Marco Castle in Milan.

Have a project where gabions can be used? 

Blocking those Bunnies

This video shows you how to protect your garden by installing a wire fence. This is a good example of a garden fence that will keep rabbits at bay, with your plants safe and secure for a long time.

Did you find this video helpful?  Here's another gardening blog that will help you protect your plantings.

Do You Know What Kind of Mesh to Use?

There are galvanized before weld (GBW) wire fencing materials that will keep your pets and children in the yard. For a longer-lasting and more durable product, you can use either galvanized after weld (GAW) or stainless steel fence. Vinyl-coated welded wire fences make an attractive and long-lasting garden fence. Choose from an extensive variety of wire gauges and mesh sizes. Smaller meshes are ideal for animal cages and wildlife exclusion barriers. Welded wire fences are both versatile and practical.

The Characteristics of Your Fence 

A fence made from woven wire can be strong and heavy enough to contain wildlife and livestock. There are different styles, heights, and mesh opening sizes designed for specific types of animals - from tall deer and wildlife fences to short hog wire fences. Flexibility and strength are two important characteristics of woven wire fences. Chicken wire or hexagonal mesh is woven from lighter gauge wire. Black PVC coating ensures both durability and an attractive appearance, providing protection for your poultry and fowl as well as your garden.

Often there's a poor selection at the big box stores. Best to look further.   

Which type of wire fence is best for you? Think about its intended use, its appearance, and how long you want it to last before you make a decision. And remember there are many more possible choices than what's on display at your local big box store...most often their limited selection is just expedient and relying on the typical foreign suppliers.

Accumulation Downwind 

A new type of wood sand fence and snow fence has been developed and patented by James H. Kirby and the University of South Florida. It is manufactured with the same type of wood and the same type of wire used in traditional sand and snow fences. This new style increases the amount of sand or snow accumulated downwind of the fence.

The Vortex

Traditional wood snow fence and wood sand fence use rectangular 3/8" thick by 1½" wide slats. The new style uses triangular pieces of wood made by sawing a 1" x 1" x 48" in half on the diagonal. This triangular shape is better at disrupting the airflow as it passes through the fence. And it will do so regardless of wind direction by creating "asymmetrical vortexes" in the air. Air-born particles become trapped in the vortex and fall to the ground.

Slat Shape, Updated

Traditional rectangular slats are more limited in their ability to disrupt airflow. They are usually aligned at right angles to the prevailing winds. If the wind blows parallel to the fence line, little if any sand or snow will collect. The shape of the pieces in the new wood sand and snow fence allows the fences to work well in any wind from any direction.

See a more detailed presentation of this new wood and wire sand and snow fence, including suggestions for deployment.

Repair? Replace?

Sadly, during a major storm, your fence can be easily damaged. Strong winds can blow down large branches. Entire trees can be uprooted, landing on your fence. Often the damage can only be repaired by replacing what was there with new fencing materials. Hopefully, these storms will pass you and your family by and cause no damage to your home and property. If your home is spared but your property and yard were not so fortunate, you will have to take down the damaged fence and replace it.

Rethinking Your Fence

If wood post and rail with attached wire were damaged, you can replace the wire with perhaps a vinyl-coated wire for long life. You will find that 2" x 3" or 2" x 4" and smaller meshes are available that will keep your pets and children securely in the yard. Many people prefer black vinyl-coated wire as it blends in very well with the background. It does not stand out as galvanized wire tends to do.

Did your pool wire get damaged? Your pet fencing? Your garden fence? Fencing materials protecting your flowers and shrubs, especially from deer? There are many different types of welded and woven wire meshes available in both galvanized and vinyl-coated finishes. And there is a wide variety of plastic meshes from which to choose.

Big-box stores--offering a limited selection and spotty service

If you decide to do these repairs yourself, remember that there are many types of fencing materials available that you will never find in your local big-box store. Beware of the limited selection: it really does pay off to broaden your search. Why not go for something different, with better construction, and readily available?

Are you having difficulty finding the type of fence you want?

Are you frustrated by the absence of knowledge about fencing materials encountered in most retail stores? This is when you turn to Louis Page, who knows fencing. As you consider your replacement, here's a helpful blog to get you started.