The Fence Post

There are various types of woven wire mesh used at the Franklin Park Zoo in Boston and Stone Zoo in Stoneham, Massachusetts. 

When strength, height, and larger openings are required, woven fences that are galvanized are used. Deer and wildlife fence is a popular choice. Available in a 96" height, the mesh has graduated openings between the horizontal wires with smaller openings at the bottom of the fence. Vertical stay wires are 6" apart. 12½ gauge high-tensile wires and fixed knot construction make it very strong. Class 3 galvanizing ensures a long lifetime.    

This is a versatile fence that can be used for both four-legged and two-legged animals. 

Another type of fence used is 2" x 2" woven non-climb mesh. Made from lighter 16 gauge wire, it can be used to make enclosures for smaller animals and birds. The top and bottom wires are heavier 14 gauge. The square deal knots that are used hold the horizontal and vertical wires securely in place, yet the fence has some flexibility which allows it to conform to the irregularities of the ground. The mesh has an open feel and is easy to see through. In the picture below the fence is used for the vertical sides of the display.

These are some of the different types of fencing used at the two zoos. What types of wire meshes have you observed at the zoos you have visited?

In recent years a large amount of "lower cost" welded wire and mesh have come on the market, generally from overseas mills. Since budgets are usually tight for fencing and mesh, why not consider this lower-priced alternative? Here are some factors to consider when comparing various types of welded wire and mesh:

• Standards Can Be Ignored

Although a critical factor in predicting the strength and durability of wire, this is often sacrificed in favor of saving money. Bargain wire often pushes the lower tolerance limits of wire gauge, sometimes not meeting it at all.

• Quality Control

An important property of any wire is that the thickness remains consistent from beginning to end and that the wire remains within its specified tolerance. In order to achieve this, a certain level of quality control must be maintained by the wire mill. Again, this standard can be compromised in favor of a low price.

• Speedy Manufacturing Results in Weaker Welds

In welded wire, proper techniques need to be employed in order to maintain the strength and durability of the weld points. In order to reduce costs, production speed needs to be increased. One way to achieve this is to speed the weld process. This can result in weaker, inconsistent welds that can fail during installation and decrease the life of the product.

• The Right Coating

Traditional PVC-coated welded wire is typically dipped in a liquid polymer after galvanization and allowed to dry. This seals the wire and welds and increases the life of the product. Lower cost welded wire can be sprayed on instead. This can result in a thinner coating that is subject to cracking and can expose the wire to the elements.

Given these factors, are the lower price alternatives worth the potential sacrifice of strength and durability? Be assured that Louis Page stocks the finest grades of wire and mesh and sources locally whenever possible.

Small Rodent, Big Appetite

Midnight Marauder

Kangaroo rats are small rodents with a big appetite for seeds and vegetation and can destroy a garden of any style. They are nocturnal and raid gardens and hoard foods during the night. Traditional apron fences and chicken wire are ineffective at keeping them out because this rat can squeeze through small openings.

Expandable Cheeks that are Fur-Lined  

Before we consider how to stop them, let's take a moment to learn a little more about this interesting creature. It inhabits the Southwestern U.S. primarily and gets its name from its long hind legs and the way it sits on them, hopping up to six feet in a single bound. But that's where the similarity to a kangaroo ends. The exceptional characteristic that they possess is the ability to survive in the desert. They have admirable kidney function which allows them to survive for long periods without water. They have large fur-lined expandable cheeks that they pack with food and then bring it back to a storage location for later consumption when there is none available. This is how they can devastate a garden so quickly because they don't take time to eat, they grab as much as they can and then come back for more. They like seeds the most, so they do the most damage during planting season. They dig up seeds and clip off sprouts at their base. 

Burrowing Under, Squeezing Through

So, if traditional fencing does not work, what will? Hardware cloth is a lightweight galvanized mesh; it is available with ¼" square openings, too small for even the kangaroo rat to squeeze through. Since the rats can burrow, below-ground protection is also required.

The perimeter of the garden should be enclosed with the hardware cloth. It should extend at least 30" above grade and 12" below. Additionally, at the bottom, the material should be bent out forming a 6", 90° "L" similar to apron fence. Therefore a small trench of 7-8" wide x 12" deep should be dug around the garden, the L shaped hardware cloth is dropped in and back-filled. The portion extending above ground should be secured to posts. However, if there is an existing fence there is no reason to remove it, simply attach the hardware cloth to it.This plan of action should prevent the kangaroo rat from squeezing through or burrowing under into your garden. This method is both humane and effective, working best for smaller home gardens. Larger fields may require a different solution. 

23 gauge, 4 x 4 (¼") Hardware Cloth--48" x 100' Roll

23 gauge, 4 x 4 (¼") Hardware Cloth--48" x 50' Roll 

Acknowledgments to:

Dept. of Fisheries & Wildlife Sciences, New Mexico State University

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

A Wide Range of Styles

Hardware cloth is available in many different styles. This wire cloth's most common standard specifications, available at most retail stores, are usually welded. As domestic production has declined, woven wire mesh hardware cloth has become challenging to find.

The most readily available types of hardware cloth, available in 50' and 100' rolls, are:

• 19 gauge with 1/2" x 1/2" openings 
  • also called 2 x 2 or 2 mesh - two squares to the inch
  • available in 24", 36" and 48" widths                                                                                                                                                     
• 23 gauge with 1/4" x 1/4' openings
  
  • sometimes referred to as 4 x 4 or 4 mesh - four squares to the inch
  • available in 24", 36" and 48" widths
  • available in 5', 10', 50', or 100' rolls

Less common styles are more difficult to find at the retail level:

• 21 gauge with 3/8" x 3/8" openings 
  • sometimes called 3 x 3 or 3 mesh - three squares to the inch
  • available in 24", 36" and 48" widths   
  • available in 100' rolls only                                                                                                                                                
• 27 gauge with 1/8" x 1/8" openings 
  • also referred to as 8 x 8 or 8 mesh - eight squares to the inch
  • available in 24", 36" and 48" widths

As the mesh's opening size decreases, so does the gauge or thickness of the wire used to decrease.

Welded wire cloth meshes for many different applications, including:

• aviaries
• window guards
• screen door reinforcement
• exclusion screens for nuisance wildlife
• small animal cages
• shrub and tree protection
• sieves and strainers
• stucco mesh
• ferro-cement boats
• sculptures and other structures

Can you think of other possible uses for hardware cloth?

Have you used hardware wire cloth for an exciting or unusual project?