The Fence Post

Welded Wire Meshes and Fences

• As the name implies, they are made from wires that have been welded into a mesh.
• In most cases, the same gauge of wire is used throughout the roll.
• Welded joints are rigid and have little flexibility.
• Many welded products with larger openings are used as fencing.
• Mesh sizes can range from 1/2" x 1/2" up to 6" x 6".
• Meshes with smaller openings are usually made with lighter gauge wires.
• These are mostly used as screening.
• Some specifications of welded meshes are vinyl coated.

• Welded fencing is ideal to use on flat terrain where little flexibility is necessary.
• Some examples of uses:

Woven Wire Meshes and Fences

What are they?

• Fences made by weaving the wires into a mesh.
• Different gauge wires are sometimes used in the same roll.
• Woven joints are flexible yet very strong.
• There are a wide variety of mesh size openings available.
• Hexagonal netting (chicken wire), field and farm fence, deer and wildlife fence, chain link and ornamental fence are some examples.

What are their uses?

• Woven wire fences are ideal to use in situations where the ground is uneven.
• The inherent flexibility allows the fence to adjust more easily to grade changes.
• Some examples of uses:

Keep these differences in mind when you are planning to install a fence. Which type do you want to use?

Possibilities to Explore

If you have decided you want to use a vinyl coated welded wire mesh for your fence project because of its long lifetime and more attractive appearance, there are several options available to you.

Hoping for a Lightweight Fence?

Consider using 3" x 2" mesh, welded from 16 gauge wire. There are three different heights: 24", 36" and 48". Rolls are 50 feet long. 24" is available in green, 36" and 48" are available in both black and green.

Some of the uses for this light weight fencing: tack it to a wood post and rail fence; keep small dogs in your yard; keep larger animals out of your garden; protect trees and shrubs.

Heavier Weight, Smaller Mesh Fencing

You have more choices: 1" x 1" mesh in 16 and 14 gauges; 1-1/2" x 1-1/2" mesh in 12-1/2 gauge; 2" x 2" and 1-1/2" x 4" in 14 gauge; 2" x 4" in 14, 12-1/2 and 11 gauges. All, except the 2" x 4" 12-1/2 gauge which is available in black only, are available in black and green. 14 gauge 2" x 4" rolls are 50" and 100' lengths.

• Black has become the most popular color to use because it seems to disappear or blend in with the background very well.

These fence meshes can be used for pet containment, children's play areas, yard fence and the 1" x 1" and 1-1/2" x 4" meshes meet swimming pool fence code requirements.

 

Outfoxing the Fox

How do you keep your chickens and poultry safe from predators?

Answer:  Build a safe and secure fence.

And what is most important factor to consider in determining the characteristics of the fence you use to enclose your run or pen?

Mesh openings should be small enough to both keep predators out and prevent your birds from escaping.

What determines the height of the fence?

• Consider the variety and temperament of your birds.
• Whether or not birds will free-range or always remain inside the pen.
• If you want to be able to stand up inside the pen. This is an important aspect as you will want to clean and maintain your pen from the inside.                                                                                        
  •  Depending on where you live, a heavy snowstorm will require shoveling out a walk your hens.

How do you prevent predators from going under the fence?

1. Dig a trench and bury at least 12" of fence for a barrier, either vertical or angled to the outside.
2. Use an apron fence with the apron on the outside of the pen.
3. Lay a piece of fence mesh flat on the ground around the perimeter of the pen and attach it to the vertical piece.

How can you keep predators from entering from the top of the pen? A secure top is very important.

1. Use wire mesh to cover the tops of the pen - be sure to factor in possible snow load.
2. Secure the top with woven top netting or extruded plastic netting as a barrier.

What kind of fence works well for the sides of chicken pens?

1. Hex netting 1" mesh (aka chicken wire) - GAW (Galvanized After Weave) or vinyl coated meshes last longest.
2. Heavier gauge woven mesh with small openings at the bottom, such as Red Brand's Poultry and Garden fence.
3. Welded wire mesh with small openings.

What type of mesh is most predator proof?

Wire meshes are stronger and more predator resistant than plastic or poly meshes.

What type of wire meshes will last the longest?

Vinyl coated and galvanized after weld meshes will last longest.

Going Coastal

Stainless steel is well known for its strong resistance to rust and corrosion. Often specified for use in areas with a high potential of exposure to corrosive elements, stainless steel welded wire mesh and fence will last for many years. It is an especially fine product to use in coastal locations where the exposure to salt water and spray can rapidly degrade less robust products. Or use it in animal cages where it will stand up to the caustic effects of urine and feces. The smaller meshes make excellent barriers for nuisance wildlife exclusion.

An Extra Long Life of Service

Although initially more expensive, stainless steel products may have a longer lifetime than other types of welded and woven wire meshes and fences. The expense, the labor, the time and the hassle of replacement can be greatly reduced, if not eliminated.

Many specifications of welded stainless steel wire products are available in a variety of gauge, mesh and roll sizes. The most commonly used are listed below.

Type 304 - the most common grade, the classic 18/8 stainless steel with a composition of 18% chromium and 8% nickel.

23 gauge 

•  1/4" x 1/4" mesh

21 gauge

• 1/3" x 1/3" mesh

19 gauge

• 1/2" x 1/2" mesh

18 gauge

• 1/3" x 1/3" mesh

16 gauge

• 1/2" x 1/2" mesh
• 1/2" x 1" mesh
• 1" x 1" mesh
• 2" x 2" mesh

14 gauge

• 1" x 1" mesh
• 1" x 2" mesh
• 2" x 2" mesh

Type 316 - the second most common grade with the addition of molybdenum.

18 gauge

• 1/2" x 1/2" mesh

This is not a complete listing of the stainless steel welded wire mesh and fence specifications. A variety of woven meshes are also available.