The Fence Post

Safer Roadways and Animal Habitat 

"Living snow fences" are trees, bushes, and shrubs used to control blowing snow. They render roadways safer, are aesthetically pleasing while creating wild animal habitats. Economical as well! They do not break down as readily as traditional wood or plastic snow fences.   

These videos demonstrate the benefits of living snow fences; the first is provided by the Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts:

Keeping People out of ditches

Do you think living snow fences will ever replace the traditional wood or newer plastic snow fences?

Which would you rather see along the roadside?

As you look around...

Fencing materials can be galvanized or vinyl-coated, small or larger openings, and a variety of heights. For long life and appearance consider vinyl coated wire. We can't stress enough that black (not green) blends extremely well into the background and almost disappears rather than boldly stands out.

Terrain Issues

Consider the terrain you will be fencing - is it level or uneven? You will want to use a fence that conforms or "racks" if the ground is uneven. On level ground, a welded wire fence is perfectly suitable as there is no give to it. Welded wire is not "rackable." Farm and Field fence adapts beautifully to the topography of your property.

Remember, with vinyl coated wire you avoid costly replacement because it lasts and lasts; plus it has a very pleasing appearance. And! Don't forget fence panels--they can really streamline installation and are perfect for remodeling decks.

Which type of fence material works best for you?

In this garden fence example, a 2" x 4" welded mesh was used. Other types of fencing materials would also work well:

• Galvanized before weld or weave (GBW)
  
  • 1/2" x 1" mesh, 16 gauge
  • 1" x 1" mesh, 16 gauge or 14 gauge
  • 1" x 2" mesh, 14 gauge
  • 1" hex mesh, 20 gauge
• Galvanized after weld or weave (GAW) - longer lasting
  
  • 1/2" x 1" mesh, 16 gauge
  • 1" x 1" mesh, 16 gauge or 14 gauge
  • 1" x 2" mesh, 14 gauge
  • 1" hex mesh, 18 gauge
• Vinyl coated - longest lasting
  
  • 1/2" x 1" mesh, 16 gauge
  • 1" x 1" mesh, 16 gauge or 14 gauge
  • 1" x 2" mesh, 14 gauge
  • 1" hex mesh, 20 gauge

Keeping Tabs on Everybody

Have you made some alterations to your daily life that are going to require some physical changes to your property? 

• Perhaps there are now some children to think about and some barriers will be needed to keep them safe.
• Or it could be that beloved pet of yours may be better handled behind a fence?
• A veggie garden also demands some protection as the value of your crop depends on certain invaders to be excluded.

For either sanity or safety's sake, it might be time to consider a simple fence to simplify your days...and nights. Read on for some ideas on making change.

Do you need to:

• protect children as they play securely in your yard?
• keep pets from running all over the neighborhood?
• prevent "critters" from entering your garden to eat your plants?
• define your property or boundary line?
• keep deer and other wildlife away from your trees?
• prevent gophers from destroying your lawn and plantings?                                                                                                                    

• Woven wire fence products come in a wide range of styles, from 1" hexagonal chicken wire up to 10' tall heavy deer fence with large openings.

When you call us, be thinking about these questions-- 

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

Many possibilities are out there. The choices are yours. What has been most difficult for you when trying to decide which type of fencing material to use? We can help narrow things down.

Are you aware of all the possibilities that are available that you will never find at your local retail store? We will be happy to have a discussion with you about the differences between the various products that may be most suitable for your project.

Protecting Your Yields

What can you do if deer are ravaging your vineyard? Deer can be very damaging to your vines, particularly if your vineyard is near a forest. Newly planted vines, tendrils, shoots, and blossoms are appealing to hungry deer and of course, the new shoots on older vines. The interruption caused by munching deer can substantially lessen your harvest or delay a new vineyard's harvest by a year.

Strength and Flexibility 

High-tensile woven wire fencing is perhaps the most effective fence material to use as a vineyard perimeter barrier. Woven from 12½ gauge high tensile wire using "fixed knot" construction, these fences are very strong. The one-piece vertical stay wires give added strength. They are bound to the horizontal wires by a knot formed by a third wire. The fence will not unwind under pressure. The characteristics of woven mesh give the fence flexibility, enabling it to more easily conform to uneven ground.

Little Maintenance and Years of Service

In addition to their strength, these fence materials will last for years. Woven wire fencing requires little maintenance throughout its lifetime. The strong high tensile wire used has a heavily galvanized Class 3 coating, guaranteeing superior resistance to rust and corrosion.

Some sizes of woven wire fencing for vineyards are available with a black painted finish over a zinc/aluminum coating.  Although not exactly a Class 3 coating, these will last four to six times as long as standard Class 1 fences. The black color fence material is more attractive than the bright galvanized. From a distance, a black fence becomes virtually invisible against the background.

With Graduated Spacing

There is a wide selection of heights available, from 48" (4') up to 120" (10'). You can make a tall fence without having to double up two shorter rolls. The spacing between horizontal wires is graduated - smaller at the bottom, larger at the top. Rolls are usually 330' in length.

Woven wire fencing for vineyards is the ideal material to use. What's your choice?