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The Fence Post

Why is Welded Wire Fencing Better Than Chain-Link Fencing?

March 1, 2018 | by Debbie Page

dog behind welded wire fence

Rethinking Chain-link

If you are planning to install a chain-link fence, before you do, you should consider the benefits of installing a welded wire fence or wire mesh fencing. Welded wire fencing has many more benefits than chain-link fencing.

Security

Welded wire fencing is much more secure than chain-link fencing. You can install a fence up to 40 feet tall that is impassible by humans and wildlife. Depending on the use of the fence, the cross sections can be welded close together, creating an impenetrable fortress.

Stability

Unlike chain-link fencing, welded wire fencing comes in different thicknesses, depending on the level of security you need. This type of fencing can take an impact from a vehicle, and it will experience little to no damage. This type of fencing is so strong, that it is often used in zoos for elephants and large wildlife containment.

vinyl coated welded wire mesh entrance Franklin Park Zoo.

Enduring Construction

Wire mesh fencing is much more complex than chain-link fencing. The intertwining bars and bands make it look like a fortress wall. The panels are hooked together on a weld, which means that they won't crack or break over time.

Less Maintenance

Chain-link fences require little maintenance, however, wire mesh fencing requires even less maintenance. It is made out of weather-resistant materials, which can last a lifetime, even in areas that often experience severe weather.

When it comes down to choosing between installing a chain-link fence or a welded wire fence, the welded wire fence definitely has the edge.  

Welded Wire Mesh

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Topics: wire mesh, welded wire fence

Wire 101: What is a Wire Gauge, Anyway?

September 16, 2014 | by Duncan Page

Selective Focus Photography of Gray Chain Link Fence

Wire Gauge Basics

Gauge is a measurement of wire thickness.  Wire gauge information is confusing to many people because it does not work like most of the measurement systems that non-technical people are familiar with.  For one thing, each works in reverse; as the numbers get larger, the wire gets thinner.  Another source of confusion is the fact that wire gauges do not correspond to convenient actual measurements.  To truly understand wire gauge, you must know something about the way that wire is manufactured.

Manufacturing Wire

To make wire, manufacturers start with a rod of metal; for fencing, steel is the most common choice.  This rod of metal is pulled through a metal plate with a hole in it.  This metal plate is called a die, and the process of pulling the metal through the die is known as drawing.  This process is repeated again and again with progressively smaller dies until the desired wire size is reached.  Originally, the gauge of the wire referred to the number of times that the drawing process was done.  Wire manufacturers started with Gauge 0 metal rods and repeated the drawing process as many times as necessary.  In earlier times, the size of the dies and the wires produced through them could vary significantly from one shop to another, because of low-tech machining processes.  As machining and manufacturing became more precise, this variance began to become a problem. This eventually led to the standardization of wire gauge information; from that point on, each gauge measurement has corresponded to a particular size of wire.

Sizing

In the United States and Canada, the typical standard for wire gauge is called the American Wire Gauge.  In this system, the diameter of wire of a particular gauge is determined by a mathematical formula.  Using this formula, manufacturers are free to develop wire of any arbitrary gauge, including half or other fractional gauges.  Here is a list of common wire gauges that are used in fencing and their corresponding measurements:

  •  8.5 gauge - 0.155 inch
  •  9 gauge - 0.1483 inch
  • 10.5 gauge - 0.128 inch
  • 11 gauge - 0.1205 inch
  • 12.5 gauge - 0.099 inch
  • 14 gauge - 0.080 inch
  • 16 gauge - 0.0625 inch
  • 18 gauge - 0.0475 inch
  • 20 gauge - 0.0348 inch
  • 21 gauge - 0.0317 inch
  • 23 gauge - 0.0258 inch
  • 27 gauge - 0.0173 inch

Different gauges of wire and different materials have different properties for flexibility, durability, and electrical conductivity, any or all of which may impact their usefulness as fencing material.  Your specific needs will determine what gauge of wire is best for your fence.

Reputable Vendors

In many cases, the choice of wire gauge will be made for you when you choose a particular style and type of fence. It is good to understand wire gauge information, but it is best not to get too caught up in it.  Rather than looking for a fence made of a particular gauge of wire, check out fences in person whenever possible, and choose a fence that feels sturdy.  When this is impossible, be sure to deal with an experienced, reputable vendor that can offer you more than just a number. If you call Louis Page, you will find ready help in discerning what gauge and style of fence is appropriate to your project. (866) 328-5018

VW Beetle wire sculpture
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Topics: wire mesh, wire gauges

Wire Fencing 101: Welded vs. Woven Wire Fences

April 29, 2014 | by Duncan Page

welded_wire_garden_fence-resized-600

Comparing Welded and Woven Wire

When it comes to the subject of “welded versus woven wire” fences, it may be more helpful to consider it more of a comparison, as both certainly have various merits in their favor. The first aspect to consider is the structure of each. Welded mesh fencing is created by laying wires in a simple horizontal and vertical latticework, with either square or rectangular spaces. The intersections of these wires are spot-welded to create a sheet. However, woven fences are created through a process that is quite different and much more complicated. Using machinery, the wire is loosely twisted into a gentle spiral, with each overlapping at the ends. With a quick twist, the link is made permanent and the distinctive zigzag diamond shape is formed. In modern machinery, this process takes half the time thanks to a “double helix” process.

Helpful and Not-so Helpful Designs

By understanding their basic structures, it is easy to see their functional merits. A woven wire fence's linked yet loose structure allows for a large amount of bend, twist and pull without breaking -- a perfect design if you have grazing livestock to contain. In some styles of woven agricultural fence, the vertical wires are one continuous strand. This makes a very strong and secure mesh that will hold together well when under pressure. Another type of woven mesh is “chain-link” fence and it has an unfortunate disadvantage--this fencing is only fully effective so long as every link remains strong. Once cut, it’s only a matter of time before this form of fence will become untangled and inefficient.

Welded Wire: If Weight is Applied...

Welded wire fencing, which has a structure that is solid and inflexible, is ideal for a firm and definite barrier. When cut, the wires will not begin to unravel from one another. The disadvantages of this fencing type can be seen in situations when pressure is introduced, such as livestock in need of a leaning post or any sort of vehicular crash. If weight is applied, it’s difficult for a welded wire fence to spring back to shape. It will likely deform permanently and need replacing.

Need some more advice? Louis E. Page has over 120 years of experience in the fencing business and would love to help you out. Feel free to contact us for all your fencing needs. Family-owned and operated since 1893, we’d love the opportunity to help you find what you need.

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Topics: wire mesh, woven wire, welded wire fence

Wire Mesh and Fencing Materials - Know What You're Buying!

April 8, 2013 | by Josh Lane

Woman Punching Men's Face
 
Baffling Big Box

Wire mesh and wire fencing are things in which people just don’t have much knowledge. It's rare that someone at the big-box home improvement store, or a relative or neighbor for that matter, might know something about how to select it. Wire fence is sort of a specialty item, and if you find yourself in need of it, information tailored for the end consumer can seem scarce. An ignorant seller can pass on this lack of knowledge to the customer and you end up with an unhappy buying-selling relationship. Even a good-intentioned seller can spread costly misinformation while meaning to help. The customer meanwhile is more inclined to believe what he or she is told, particularly when that means a lower price.

To Illustrate: A Fictional Conversation

How bad information can be circulated. 

Characters:

Big Box Bob--mowed lawns and weed-whacked as part of a grounds maintenance team, now in school to be an electrician and working as an apprentice.

Frugal Francine--Francine is an accountant by day and tends her garden and cares for her two Doberman pinschers on nights and weekends.

Scene: In the lawn and garden section of a local big-box retailer. 

Francine (approaches Bob): Hi. I want some fence to replace the rusty old chicken wire I put around my garden. There were a couple of rolls of it when I bought the house and I usually just replace it every couple of years when it gets too mangled to deal with. I’m sick of that though. I can’t be replacing the fence every year, and plant my garden, and still have time for my dobies. I’d rather just put something up that’s going to last. I’ve looked online a little and found that there are several options for a garden fence. They all sound like they are built to last a long time, but there is so much difference in price between the different types of...of...galvanized wire, and then even more disparity between the galvanized and the...the...vinyl coated wire. Incredibly, not even all vinyl-coated wire is the same price. Is there really that much difference in quality, or is it all a big scam? I’m so frustrated. I just want a fence that will be permanent. What I value, is reliability and I don’t want to pay for fancy stuff that I don’t need. Please help me!

Bob: Francine I totally understand your frustration and I think I can help. I’ve actually never worked with wire mesh or fencing, but I do have some knowledge about what galvanizing does and I have some thoughts about what you are paying for with some of the fancier vinyl-coated stuff.

Francine: Oh Bob, you're wonderful! Please! Tell me how it is.

Bob: Fran, It’s like this. Galvanizing is a process by which a protective zinc coating is applied to steel or iron so that it does not rust (Wikipedia). If the fencing is galvanized, then that is all you need for it to last indefinitely assuming it doesn’t get cut or trampled. All the other things like galvanized after weld and the different types of vinyl coating are for aesthetic purposes, or to make it stronger to keep animals in or something. So, if you want to save some moolah and still have a fence that lasts forever, I would just get the inexpensive, galvanized before weld, welded wire. Any other questions, Franny?

Franny: Hmm...what you say sure sounds technical and smart. I’ll admit that saving a few dollars would be really nice. I really appreciate you not pushing the pricey stuff on me. Are you sure galvanized won’t rust?

Bob: Yes. Sure, looked it up me-self. (First sentence about galvanization on Wikipedia.)

Fran: Okay Bob. I really appreciate your expertise. I’ll take a roll and some 6-foot steel posts, please.

Bob: Dealio!  (And...scene.)
 

Differences

So, you can see how there are no bad intentions here. Bob thinks he is being very decent and fair, and Francine feels as though she has been treated well and will never have to replace this galvanized fence. Unfortunately, Bob’s instincts have not served him well, and Francine’s trust has been misplaced. Galvanized does not last forever. The chart below from Bekaert Corporation gives an idea of how long galvanized can last and the difference between types of galvanized wire.

galvanized wire chart

First Signs of Rust

Depending on the type of galvanizing that is done, Francine could be looking at one year or less before she starts to see rust forming on her “rust-proof” fence. How will Francine feel about Bob when the first signs of rust appear at the weld points on her fence? What distinguishes a long-lasting fence from a semi-temporary one can be seemingly subtle differences. It is worth it to find someone who has taken the time to know the difference between the vast array of products available.

Josh signature      Josh Lane

Galv After Welded Wire Mesh

 

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Topics: wire mesh, welded wire, galvanized after

How Will You Use Extra Fencing Materials?

March 28, 2013 | by Terry Struck

vinyl coated welded wire trellis

So What's Collecting Dust?

Whether you’re making a kennel floor, putting a fence up in your yard, or building a cage, you may have extra fence materials lying around and you think, what can I do with all this extra wire? Well here are some ideas.

Gabions--a Variety of Uses

Gabions originally were cylindrical wicker baskets filled with earth and stones used in building fortifications. You can cut to size your square or rectangle pieces of fence or wire mesh to form a box. Then use hog rings or j-clips to hold the box together. Fill in the boxes with stones and then stack them. Gabions can be used in many ways around the home, including:

  • planters
  • retaining walls
  • outdoor fireplaces
  • decorative walls around a garden or pool
  • benches and seating areas around the yard

gabion planter-1

Lots more ideas for using Gabions

Screen Guard

Trying to keep your screens looking great is not always easy with dogs and cats around. Put your extra wire mesh up as a screen guard. This will make it harder for the animals to pull at the screen. It will ease up the constant changing of your screens - unless you have teenagers who forget their keys and decide to rip open the screen instead of pulling the cord!

Training Climbers

Build a large trellis or a smaller portable one. Simply by using some wood posts and welded wire mesh, teepee two panels on each side with two horizontal posts at the top for support. Some of your leftover fencing with 1" x 2" mesh or bigger openings are best. Fasten it to your frames. Train the cucumbers as they grow by winding the plants up the fence. Growing your cucumbers vertically can save space for other vegetables and stop them from rotting by sitting on the ground.

And more ideas...wire enclosed wooden shelf

With some imagination, there are many things you can do with that leftover wire mesh you have hanging around.

  • Cat enclosures
  • Trash containers
  • Small garden covers
  • Cubed storage shelves
  • Wire mesh cabinet doors
  • Stairway and deck railing fillers

Let's put our heads together and come up with some new ideas!

Terry     Terry                                     

hex mesh wire light shade

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Topics: wire mesh, gabion, how to

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