The Fence Post

Galvanized After is Excellent, but...

Did you know that hardware cloth is available with a vinyl-coated finish? Many people think that these wire cloth meshes are only available with a galvanized after finish.

Firmly Bonded, Long-Lasting

Both ½" x ½" welded mesh with a 19 gauge "core" wire and ¼" x ¼" welded mesh with a 23 gauge "core" wire are available with a black vinyl coating. The coating is firmly bonded to the wire. The vinyl will not crack or split when the wire is bent. 100' rolls are available in 24", 36" and 48" widths.

If you need to use hardware wire cloth for your next project, consider the advantages of using a mesh that is black vinyl coated:

• durable
• longest lifetime
• easy to work with
• excellent for underground gopher barriers
• double protection of galvanizing and vinyl coating resists rust and corrosion
• attractive - black color blends with background, becoming virtually invisible

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.

Plan Your Garden 

Hello to all you passionate gardeners!  Are you planting a garden?

         Do you already have a garden that you are getting ready for the season?

                          Do you have some unwelcome visitors--well, animals--that are sampling the produce?

Your fence built with welded or woven wire mesh - either 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.

• Black vinyl coated 1" hex is ideal - black blends with the background making the fence virtually invisible.
• PVC coating adds years of life to the fence.
• The wire is easy to work with.
• Rolls are available in different widths to suit your needs - from 12" through 90".

• Vinyl coated 19 gauge wire welded into ½" x ½" mesh will discourage the smallest animals.
• Vinyl coated extends the lifetime of the fence.
• Rolls are 100' in length.
• Three heights are available: 24", 36" and 48".

Larger mesh fences - 2" x 2", 2" x 3" and 2" x 4" with a combination of smaller mesh "ground wire."

• The smaller mesh gives protection where it's really needed.
• You have greater strength in the higher sections.

There are many possibilities that allow you to be creative in your approach. Here's a video with one man's solutions:

You will reap the benefits with some advanced planning. And! Check out this video blog for another helpful garden fence tutorial.

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.                                                        

Protect your Garden from the Wee Beasties

Watch this video and learn how to install vinyl coated welded wire garden fence. Keep rabbits and other looters from feasting on your plants.