The Fence Post

White-Headed Buffalo Weaver Display

16 Gauge, Black Vinyl Coated 1" x 1" Mesh

When constructing their displays and fencing their walkways, zoos frequently use welded wire meshes that have been vinyl coated. There are several reasons this type of material is chosen. Vinyl coated products are:

• Easy to clean and maintain
• Available in a variety of mesh sizes - from ¼" x ¼" to 4" x 4"
• Available in different gauges - from light weight 23 gauge to heavy 10.5 gauge
• Attractive and aesthetically pleasing
• Very durable and long lasting 
• Strong and safe protection for birds and other animals

  

White Crested Laughing Thrushes   Chestnut Mandible Toucan   Tawny Frogmouth Owl 

14 gauge, black vinyl coated 1" x 2" mesh

Vinyl coated welded wire products can be used in many different areas and for many different purposes including but not limited to: 

• Bird displays
• Displays of mammals
• Effective crowd control
• Fences along walkways
• Safety mesh for railings

All pictures show the different ways the Birmingham Zoo uses vinyl coated welded wire products.                                                        

The 122 acre Birmingham Zoo draws more than 500,000 visitors a year, making it Alabama's most popular attraction. On February 5th I was treated to a fascinating tour of the facility by Jeff Pribble, the Zoological Manager of Birds. He cares for and manages more than 90 different species of birds - over 400 in number. The zoo is on its way to a goal of 100 species. Such species as the Bali Mynah, Blue-faced Honeyeater, Secretary Bird, and Double-wattled Cassowary are on display in clean, informatively labeled, well-maintained environments that reflect their natural habitats.

Using Netting and Mesh

The Birmingham Zoo uses a variety of meshes in its displays and around the grounds. Vinyl coated welded wire meshes are used in the displays as well as in safety insert panels along walkways, railings, and fences. Woven polypropylene top netting is often used for the tops of the displays. For the bigger displays containing larger birds, woven 2" x 4" mesh is used. A fine woven zoo mesh is also used for the displays of some of the smaller birds.

A World-Class Resource

Along with this fine avian section, the zoo also features a $15 million Children's Zoo displaying the urban and rural wild animals and environs of Alabama. Work on the Trails of Africa is currently underway. Featuring a cultural and botanical "immersion-themed motif", this promises to be a "world-class community asset". The zoo also features two small trains that carry passengers on a 3/4 mile loop throughout the zoo.

 Jeff Pribble & Duncan Page

 If you're in the Birmingham area, be sure to visit!

Chain Link as a Work of Art?

Having grown up in a neighborhood where the lawns flowed into one another, when some new folks moved in and put up a stark chain link fence around the perimeter of their property, the neighbors were collectively horrified. Mercifully, they grew ivy on it. However, a new type of fencing has been introduced by the Demakersvan design studio in Holland. Called Lace Fence, it is a combination of chain link fabric and the art of lace-making.

The design possibilities - from floral themes to contemporary patterns and designs - are infinite. And you can submit your own designs. With this opportunity to customize each job, every lace fence is unique. Chain link fencing, a basic functional fence, can become a decorative and attractive work of art.

Imagining the Possibilities

Lace Fence can be woven from both 11 and 12½ gauge wires, either galvanized or vinyl coated. The wire mesh is securely clamped to a tubular frame.
There are many different types of locations - both interior and exterior - where Lace Fence is currently in use, including but not limited to:

• Barrier fences in parks and other public areas
• Interior partitions in banks, restaurants, hotels, and gyms
• Railing safety mesh on stairways, decks, and balconies
• Decorative panels on the facades of commercial buildings
• Safety fences on apartment buildings
• Museum displays

What do you think about Lace Fencing? Do you think it's attractive?

Is it more appropriate for use in a public or commercial setting rather than around a residence?

Photograph of Lace Fence at The Design Center at Philadelphia University is used with permission. For more examples, look at https://redfort.nl/  and you can check out the Demakersvan website here:https://www.demakersvan.com

Specialized Mesh

There are many different specifications of wire cloth available with heavier gauges and different mesh sizes. They are often called industrial wire cloth and can be difficult to find and purchase. In addition to regular steel, these specialized meshes can be made with any kind of metal that can be drawn into wire including stainless steel, brass, bronze, aluminum, and copper. Great for factories, farming, and around the house. 

Tough Stuff

Square mesh industrial wire cloth specifications are usually expressed as openings per inch. For example, 4 mesh means that there are four openings per inch - the mesh measures 1/4" x 1/4". The mesh sizes available range from 1 mesh (1") down to 100 mesh (100 openings per inch). Wire diameters used in these products range from .331 inch ( gauge) down to .003 inch ( gauge).

Finer meshes from 120 down to 500 openings per inch are also available. The wire diameters used are .0037 ( gauge) to .001 ( gauge). These specifications are often called filter cloth or fine mesh wire cloth.

Use Industrial Wire Cloth for:

• screens
• guarding equipment
• cages
• fences
• pallets
• racks and shelves
• aviaries
• linings for silos
• strainers
• protective barriers

Contact Louis Page for Ordering

Due to the variety of choices of gauge, wire type, and mesh opening size, some specifications require a minimum quantity and must be made to order.

Industrial wire cloth meshes are usually woven. The woven styles are the same as those described in our blog article about standard hardware cloth galvanized wire mesh.

Have any projects requiring industrial wire cloth? Call us and describe the particulars of what you need.  (866) 328-5018

What do your animals need?

Are you planning to get some animals that will need cages or pens?

Do you already have animals and need to upgrade, enlarge or improve their containment?

From hamsters to horses, birds to buffalo - there is a welded or woven wire mesh fencing available to do the job right.

Small Animal Enclosures

There are galvanized before, galvanized after, and vinyl-coated meshes available.

• Cages for canaries, for example, can be made using light weight galvanized after weave 1/2" hex netting
• For larger birds, welded meshes such as 1/2" x 1", 1" x 1", 1" x 2" and 1/2" x 3" can be used to make cages
• Chicken, turkeys and game birds require larger pens; galvanized after weave and vinyl coated hex netting works well for the sides and you can use welded wire meshes for ground wire; the extra galvanizing and vinyl coating extend the life of the wire
• Cages for rabbits, hamsters and the like can be made using 1/2" x 1"and 1" x 2" welded meshes; galvanized after weld products, when used, will last longest
  

Larger Animal Enclosures

Stronger meshes made from heavier gauge wire are required, and the opening size of the mesh can be larger.

• Dogs - smaller dogs can be contained with 16 gauge 2" x 2" woven or 2" x 3" welded wire mesh; for large dogs, 2" x 4" mesh works well; this is available in woven 12.5 gauge and welded 14, 12.5 and 11 gauge galvanized before, galvanized after and vinyl coated
• Horse corrals can be made with 12.5 gauge flexible woven horse fence in a 2" x 4" or diamond mesh pattern
• Secure enclosures for sheep and goats can be made using 12.5 gauge 4" x 4" woven mesh
• For ostrich & emu pens use 12.5 gauge 2" x 4" woven mesh
• Use field fence for cow pastures; there are different choices of 1047 style available
• Extra tall (up to 10') woven fences are excellent for deer and wildlife containment or exclusion