The Fence Post

Galvanized After Wire Mesh: Welded or Woven

• When galvanized before welded wire mesh is made, the zinc coating at the weld points is compromised. It can be burnt away, leaving the wire unprotected. And these intersecting areas tend to hold moisture longer than the single wire strands.
• Woven meshes, especially in the light gauges like chicken wire hex netting, also have their weak points. The twisted areas of the mesh tend to hold moisture, causing them to rust out. Dipped in the zinc bath, these wire meshes will last for a long time, even in corrosive environments. 

The Importance of Buying Galvanized After Wire (GAW) Mesh

GAW meshes:

1. Last longer
2. Stand up better to rough use
3. Have an extra thick coating of zinc
4. Have joints thoroughly protected from rust and corrosion
5. Are more useful in areas that will rot a wire mesh that is galvanized before

When you want to use galvanized wire mesh in a project, be sure to consider the advantages a GAW product offers. Think of the expense and labor involved in replacing a GBW mesh that rusts quickly. Invest in a quality product. Wouldn't you rather do it right the first time? Now take a look at the work of some premium fence installers with some very high standards:

Have you ever used a galvanized after wire mesh? Are you aware of the many alternative higher quality wire mesh options that are available, but not at your local big box stores? For a thorough discussion of the many varieties of fence products available, check out this blog.

Choices

With so many different types of fencing materials available, how do you know which one to choose? Are you overwhelmed when it comes time to make a decision? How do you know which one is the right choice?

Defining the Purpose of Your Fence

Most often, fences are used to either keep something in or keep something out of an area. But sometimes fences are used for decorative purposes or to define a boundary line or construction area. There are seasonal fences such as snow fences. And there are fences used to control drifting sand. The fencing materials you choose should be defined by the fence's purpose.

Fencing materials made from wire are the most common type available. The wire can be either woven or welded into a wide variety of mesh opening sizes.

Strong but Flexible--Woven Wire Mesh

There are woven meshes strong enough to contain livestock with different styles for specific types of animals. And there are deer and wildlife fences tall enough to keep out deer. Lighter gauge woven hex netting chicken wire meshes with black PVC coating can protect your poultry and fowl as well as your garden.

Welded Wire Meshes that Last

Use welded wire fencing materials to keep your pets and children in the yard. Vinyl-coated welded meshes make an attractive and long-lasting garden fence. There are many different wire gauges and mesh sizes from which to choose. Smaller meshes are ideal for animal cages and wildlife exclusion barriers.

Do you have any preference in fencing materials, woven or welded?  Which type has worked best for you?

Have you ever needed a truly heavy gauge chicken wire?

Do you want something stronger than 20 gauge galvanized before weave chicken wire fencing?

Are you frustrated by how quickly GBW hex mesh rusts and needs to be replaced? There's an alternative:

Galvanized After Weave Chicken Wire Fence: 18 gauge, 1" Hexagonal Mesh 

Made by Keystone Steel and Wire in Peoria, Illinois, this "saltwater netting" is woven from heavy 18 gauge wire. 18 gauge wire is more than 30% heavier than the 20 gauge chicken wire available in your local retail store. After the wire is woven into a hexagonal mesh with 1" openings, it is passed through a bath of molten zinc. It emerges with thick, durable rust and corrosion-resistant galvanized after weave (GAW) finish. The wires are thoroughly coated, including the twisted areas that tend to hold moisture.

Heavy chicken wire fence is available in 150' rolls. Widths are 36", 48" and 72". This mesh, designed for use in saltwater, will last for many, many years.

Excellent for:

• Poultry runs
• Garden fence
• Game bird pens
• Saltwater applications, such as crab pots
  

18 gauge heavy hex wire is a great option and if you want a chicken wire fence that will withstand the test of time, consider this product.

With Extensive Benefits:

• Initial higher cost is offset by the longer lifetime of the wire.
  
• Stronger, heavier wire will stand up longer to normal wear and tear.
• Frequency of repair and replacement is reduced.
• Heavy galvanization assures robust protection against rust and corrosion.

Have you ever had the opportunity to try GAW chicken wire fence?

Do you think it makes sense to pay more initially to avoid the cost and labor of repair and replacement?

Being Prepared

Time to make plans. Colder months are a great time to look through gardening, landscaping, and seed catalogs. Visualize what you would like to do in the yard and garden this spring. Whether you're in an area where your yard is just dormant or snow actually covers the ground, you can begin to draw up plans and designs on the inside where it's warm and comfortable.

Do you:

• need to install a new fence? 
• want to improve your landscaping?
• want better results from your garden?
• need to consider replacing your fence?
• need to repair winter damage to your fence?

Now If a fence is on your to-do list, there are many possibilities and options open to you. Start by considering what you want to accomplish and what the end product should look like. For example:

Welded or Woven Wire Mesh - Galvanized or Vinyl-Coated

• Use a smaller mesh, especially at the bottom of the fence, to keep smaller animals from getting into your garden
• Bury 12" or more of the fence underground to discourage burrowing
• Bend 12" or more of the fence to the outside of your garden laying it on top of the ground for an effective protecting apron

A vinyl-coated wire fence is a smart choice for both appearance and durability. Do your plans call for a fence that blends in well with your property's background? Consider a black vinyl-coated fence that comes in many different mesh sizes, wire gauges, and heights. Check out this blog for some other excellent options.

Gabions - Practical and Stylish

As you consider your next outdoor project, whether it be a commercial establishment or a residence, gabion baskets are a great solution for stabilizing vast areas of possible erosion due to potential flooding conditions, providing definition to the landscape, or creating a stylish look on a residential property. 

Looking Around

Reputable fence companies can give you more ideas. They can also quote you prices for installation if you choose not to do it yourself. There is most likely a fence you can't find at your local store that Louis Page can help you find. Remember, those big box stores are not going to necessarily stock the variety of wire and the gauges in which we specialize. Also, the galvanization of the products we stock is only first-rate and guaranteed to last. On to spring!