The Fence Post

Panel Smart

If you are building a fence with a purpose around your home or business then you should consider welded wire fence panels. This type of fencing is the strongest that you can find. Because it is so strong, it is often used to enclose livestock and large animals. Also, many zoos use wire fence panels for their animal cages for display and to keep everyone safe. The wires and cross sections of the wire fence are welded together, to create a fortress that cannot be penetrated.

Stands Up to the Elements

You can get welded wire fencing in different types of thicknesses, depending on how strong you need it to be. Unlike a chain link fence, you can get welded wire fence panels designed exactly to the measurements that you need. In fact, all fence panels from Louis Page are custom-made. The welded wire fence panels are made of weather resistant material, so it will not be damaged or destroyed in even the most severe weather.

Panels or Rolls?

Fence panels are strong and highly weather resistant. But so is fencing that comes in a roll. A quick note about the difference between panels and rolls. Panels are easier to install. They come custom made to your specifications, need minimal to no cutting or cutting tools, and they can typically be installed by two people. All these attributes make panels ideal for quick installations with minimal work crews. Wire fence rolls are terrific for jobs that have larger work crews, professional installers, and materials like posts, rings, pliers, and everything else you need to make a fence. Most of our customers that buy fence rolls are using them on work sites for safety and protection reasons. That's not to say homeowners and landscapers aren't buying fence rolls, because they are! For projects like gardens that require protecting fruits and vegetables from deer, deer fencing is ideal. The gauge of the deer fence is strong enough to keep deer out and easier to manipulate because of its gauge size. But when it comes to pools (and other projects), fence panels are the answer.

Welded Wire Fence Panel Install Tips

If you are planning to install your fence on your own; here are a few tips that you should follow:

Tension

One of the most common mistakes that people make when installing their wire fence panels is low tension. If the fencing is not tight enough, it can sag or bow. This will take away from the security and durability of the fence. If you are using it to enclose large animals, the chances of them escaping are high. For tensioning the mesh, you simply need a pair of pliers.

T-Posts

It is important to understand that not all posts are built the same. You should use a steel t-post. If you are worried about the way that your fence is going to look, you should look into green metal posts. If you are going to be using the fence for livestock, you can consider an electric fence; however, you would need to install a T-post made of PVC, as it doesn't require any insulation between the electric wire and the fence.

Animals

If you are going to be using your fence to contain animals, you need to make sure that you are getting a fence large enough for the animals. Before you install the fence, you should take into consideration that your animals will grow and so may your herd. You also want to make it large enough to keep wild animals out of the enclosure.

If you need to install a strong fence on your property for safety purposes or to enclose large animals, fence panels are the best solution and/or welded wire fencing, rather than a chain link fence. Welded wire panels and fencing are strong, pleasing to the eye, and easy to install. Of course, fence panels are the easiest to install.

Safety Above All 

Getting serious about a swimming pool? Great! However, don't ignore the fence around the pool and pool area--particularly in the case of young children who are curious and are intrigued by water, and will undoubtedly want to investigate the area where all the fun happens. The right fence and mesh products provide indisputable protection. Too many folks have suffered tragic losses--when one thinks about how easy it is to get caught up with what you're doing and for a toddler to slip from your sight. Vigilance is naturally the key, but it's advised, well more than that, it is mandatory to have solid backup--meaning reliable products that help in our struggle to keep our pool environments a safe place--reserved for refreshment, relaxation, and fun. 

No doubt you have put a lot of thought into the plans for the pool and its surroundings--the shape, depth, and position of the pool, the appropriate (and beautiful) landscaping, and all the details that will bring your ideas to fruition. Here are some thoughts about some necessities to check off your list.

Required--Self-Closing Gates

Consulting the town building inspector is one of your first stops. Requirements and restrictions are an important key to your pool project. If this is a DIY project, familiarizing yourself with your local pool safety laws concerning your fence and various specifications is vital. Self-closing gates are a good example: a child is not necessarily going to close a gate, particularly if the goal of being in the pool is tantamount! So a self-closing gate is really a universal requirement. Additionally, installing an alarm on your gate is an excellent idea.

If you are having the fence installed by a reputable fence company any questions you may have can be answered by them. Still, understanding the codes ahead of time will help you anticipate these obligations.

Guard Against the Unthinkable

We must face the fact that installing an excellent fence around the pool of your dreams is for everyone's safety and quite literally a protection for you and your family and friends against catastrophe. Planning the fence is as important as designing the pool.

Here are some, not all, above-ground and in-ground swimming pool barrier requirements: 

• 48 inches in height at a minimum, preferably higher
• Should not be climbable
• Foothold-free
• Handhold-free
• Have self-closing gates
• Have self-latching gates
• Able to be locked
• Small openings: horizontal - no wider than 1-3/4"; vertical - no higher than 4"
• Clearance from ground level to the barrier should less than 4 inches

Thankfully, there are a variety of styles of pool fence that meet code requirements. 

Moving on, If you are presently planning to upgrade your current fence or planning to install a new fence, one of your choices is fence panels or cutting a welded wire fence roll. Here are some further ideas:

Panels or Do-It-Yourself?

A little more costly, a swift and straightforward method for ensuring safety around a pool are panels that are made flat and cut to your specifications. The savings in time may be worth it. The number of finishes, gauges and configurations of mesh are many and come in sheets that are unframed. The frames can be created during the time the panels are being delivered. 

To save some money, you can cut the welded wire fence roll into panels yourself. Bear in mind that this will provide some challenge and that two cuts are required for each panel, the first panel excepting. The cut wires that remain exposed must be trimmed so that they are not left ragged. Some fortitude is necessary as wire cutting demands a steady hand and some patience. Naturally, the thicker the gauge of the wire, the more strength will be required. On that, going the panel route saves quite a bit of your time and spares your hand.

And for you Do-It-Yourselfers--as welded wire has a memory, so to speak--roll the cut panel in reverse, tie it up, and let it soak up the sun for a day. 

Important Choices

The mesh openings, wire gauges, and finishes are identical in the cut panels or in the rolls, and on that, we have a post that may be helpful in making the right fence choices--just follow this link to read about it. 

Opening sizes for mesh are available in various possibilities of finish: galvanized, vinyl coated, stainless steel, and plain steel. Standard-sized roll widths for the panels, which are made flat and cut to size, come in 72", 60", 36", 24", and 18". However, the length can vary somewhat, depending on your need. Please feel free to ring us with any questions--(800) 225-0508.

However! Relying on these precautions is not enough.

Here is a sobering video showing the ingenuity of toddlers as they outsmart barriers created for their protection.

Vigilance 

Parents: Put down cellphones, tablets, and laptops! At all times you should be in the pool with children 6 and younger and have your eyes on children 7 and above. And never put off swimming lessons!

Investing in Safety

Each year, thousands of drownings and near-drowning events occur in the U.S. So many of these swimming pool tragedies are preventable. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has studied this problem extensively. Their conclusion about the best way to reduce and hopefully eliminate these incidents:

Pool owners must install and maintain effective barriers to prevent young children from entering the pool area.

Now is the time to install a pool fence and/or upgrade your existing fence. The question is, do you choose fence panels or cut the welded wire fence roll yourself? What other details do you need to know?   

Deciding on Panels vs. Cutting Wire Yourself  

Fence panels are the easiest and fastest way for pool owners to increase safety around an outdoor pool. Why? Panels are flattened and sheared to size. They might cost a little more; however, the time savings is priceless. The panels are sold in many different gauges, mesh configurations, and finishes. Panels are sold as flat unframed sheets. You can create the frame while your wire panels are in transit. 

If you are up to the challenge of cutting a welded wire fence roll, you can save a little money and order a roll to make your own fence panels. Keep in mind that there are two cuts per panel except for the first panel. For each additional cut, you must cut the exposed wires left from the previous cut. Cutting wire takes hand strength and patience. The heavier the gauge, the harder it is to cut through the wire. Pre-cut panels save you a ton of time and won't tire your hand!

>Hot Tip for DIYers: To minimize the welded wire "memory", reverse roll the cut panel, tie it and leave it in the sun to heat for the day.

Mesh and Gauges: What You Need to Know

Both panels and rolls have the same finish, wire gauge and mesh opening options. If you want to know more about finish, wire gauge, and mesh opening, read our post on the keys to choosing the right fence for you. The same opening sizes are offered in the following finish options, Plain Steel, Galvanized, Vinyl Coated, and Stainless Steel.  Panels are flattened and sheared (cut) to size from standard size roll widths (18”, 24”, 36”, 48”, 60, & 72”), but may be available in an alternate length. Just call us with questions, 800-225-0508.

Serious Consideration Required

 Swimming pool barriers should generally meet the following requirements:  

• at least 48" high
• free of footholds
• self-closing gates
• free of hand holds
• self-latching gates
• made with small openings:
• horizontal - no wider than 1-3/4"
• vertical - no higher than 4"
• locking devices on all gates
• less than 4" clearance from ground to bottom of barrier

Before installing any swimming pool barrier, it is very important to check your local codes, whether solid, with horizontal and vertical members or made using welded or woven wire mesh fence. Local codes may vary.

We believe pool fences are essential to everyone's safety. Contact us at sales@louispage.com or 800-225-0508. We can answer your questions and help you choose the product that is right for you and even calculate the right amount of panels if you choose the panel option. 

Welded Wire Mesh Fence Panels--a Variety of Purposes

Need to build a deck on your home, an animal enclosure, a boardwalk, or aquaculture related traps? It may be time to explore welded wire mesh panels. Welded wire mesh panels come in a variety of mesh configurations, gauges, and finishes. Many zoos use welded wire fence panels for their animal enclosures. Depending on the animal, a lighter or heavier gauge wire may be utilized. For decking purposes, you may choose a vinyl coated welded wire panel, or stainless steel is a long-lasting option. Nurseries use PVC (polyvinyl chloride) coated panels for greenhouse benches as well as aquaculture for the marine industry. There are many applications for welded wire mesh panels which may be suitable to your needs.

Choose your Gauge, and Proceed

Panels fabricated from previously manufactured rolls of wire are flattened and cut or sheared to size. As mentioned, welded wire mesh panels are offered in a variety of gauges (usually from 8 gauge to 16 gauge) depending on how strong the requirement or specification. Unlike a chain link fence, welded wire mesh panels can be offered to the measurements needed. Some wire mesh panels offered through Louis E. Page are custom fabricated and made-to-order, depending on the configuration and specifications. The vinyl coated welded wire mesh panels are coated with, as are the rolls of wire, weather resistant material, including UV.

Panels and Rolls
A quick note about the difference between panels and rolls.

• Panels are easy to install, especially when remodeling a deck on your home. They are custom made to your specifications, need minimal to no cutting and can typically be installed by one to two people. All these attributes make panels ideal for quick installs with minimal work crews.

• Wire fence rolls are perfect for jobs that have larger linear footage to cover which may require work crews and professional installers. There are also additional materials like posts, rings, pliers and everything else you need to install a fence. We have many different customers who use the wire mesh rolls for multi purposes like farming/agriculture, fencing, nurseries, and the like.

We offer many different varieties of wire rolls and panels, and we recommend discussing your projects with us. Don't hesitate to call us, we have the knowledge to provide the perfect solution.

Welded Wire Mesh Panels: Installation 

If the panels are going to be installed onto a wooden frame:

• Stapling the mesh to one side of the wood helps keep it in place
• It is recommended to staple it every few inches to keep it secure 
• It's best to use galvanized staples for weather resistance

The welded wire does not stretch like woven chain link fencing. Therefore, the panel size needs to be accurate when ordering.

Problem Solving

Depending on the wire gauge and the mesh opening of a panel, there may be a bow which may cause sagging. If this occurs and stapling isn't an option, a strand wire can be woven through the meshes to keep it upright and straight. The strand wire can be secured to a post and twisted as needed. Wire gauges and mesh openings play a significant role when determining what is best for an application.

T Posts--Length

It is important to understand that not all posts are the same. Steel T posts and U posts are offered as a solution when installing panels, as well as rolls of wire fencing. It is recommended using a post that is 2' (feet) longer or taller than the height of the finished fence height. For instance, if the height is going to be 5' tall, then 7' posts would be quite sufficient. You can use 6' posts, but over time may become loose or unstable in the ground.

Animals: Some Perspective

If you plan to enclose animals, please keep in mind that animals do grow and can outgrow their environment. Make sure the height of the panels or fence are large enough to keep them safe and to keep wild animals out. Also, consider the overall size of the enclosure carefully. The mesh openings and gauges play a significant role when making these decisions. Animals may have to walk on the wire so a smaller mesh opening would be more comfortable on their feet, but the sides of the cage/enclosure could have larger mesh openings to see in or out. 

Fence panels are large and require specific shipping logistics. We'll be happy to give you a free quote and help with the details. Unfortunately, panels cannot be ordered via our online shop at this time, but please give us a call.