The Fence Post

Welded Wire Meshes and Fences

What are they?

• 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.

What are their uses?

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

                  - Swimming pool fences
                  - Cages for animals
                  - Garden fences
                  - Dog kennels
                  - Partition dividers

                  - Railing safety panel inserts
                     

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:

                  - Garden fences
                  - Horse paddocks
                  - Boundary fence
                  - Orchard fence
                  - Farm fence

 

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

 

 

The Need for Protection 

As more undeveloped land is taken for house lots and commercial areas, the natural habitat for wildlife is increasingly restricted. Sightings of animals such as coyote and deer are more frequent. The need for a way of protecting pets from potentially aggressive wildlife increases.

One of the best ways to keep pets safe is to build a wire fence. To protect against coyotes it is best to use a six-foot height. You can either bury 12 inches in the ground or bend it so it lays on top of the ground to the outside of the enclosure as an apron. This will discourage digging.

Welded wire and woven wire meshes available:

Welded wire fencing - Galvanized Before Weld (GBW), Galvanized After Weld (GAW) and Vinyl Coated (VC) 

• 14 gauge, 1" x 2" and 2" x 4" mesh
• 12.5 gauge, 2" x 4" mesh

Woven wire fencing - 

• Apron fence - 17 gauge, 1.5" hex netting mesh
• Deer & Wildlife fence - 12.5 gauge high tensile wire
• 2" x 4" mesh non-climb fence - 12.5 gauge
• Emu & Ostrich fence - 12.5 gauge
• Poultry & Garden/Deer & Orchard fence - 14.5 gauge wire

Any of the fences listed above can make your yard safe for your pet. Follow the links above for a more detailed description of their features. If you have specific questions, give us a call at (866) 328-5018.  You might be interested in our other blog, "Guarding Your Pets from Wildlife Aggressors."

 

 

 

The Major Players:   Square Deal,  Hinge Joint,  Fixed Knot,  and V-Mesh

Definitions

There are four types of knots currently in use to tie wires together to make woven wire fence mesh:

Square Deal - also known as S knot. This knot is used in making non-climb 2" x 4" mesh horse fence, 4" x 4" mesh sheep and goat fence, and some styles of field fence. The square deal knot prevents the fence from buckling or sagging. It also provides extra vertical strength and rigidity while at the same time allowing flexibility. This quality makes it ideal for installations over hilly terrain. One-piece vertical stay wires are tied to line wires and crimped at the joint to prevent slippage.

Hinge Joint - also known as Monarch, used most commonly in field and farm fences. This knot acts as a hinge. It gives under pressure, then springs back into shape. Monarch fence is easy to install because the hinge gives the mesh flexibility. The fence always retains its full height for continuing protection and good looks. Vertical wires are individually cut and wrapped for maximum strength and flexibility.

Fixed Knot - also known as Solidlock. Fixed-knot construction is most commonly found in deer and wildlife fences but is also being used in more common farm and field fence styles. This design securely locks the line wire and stay wires together, giving you the strength you need. Vertical stay wires are one piece and cannot unwind under pressure. The inherent flexibility of this design allows the fence to conform to terrain.

V-Mesh - often used with fencing horses, it can also be used for dogs and a variety of livestock. Extremely solid, but flexible; resistant to breakage--gives with animal impacts. Can be used with wooden posts or T posts and on level or hilly terrain. Resistant to climbers and difficult to get a hoof tangled up.

                 

 

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.

 

Big box stores just don't stock what's actually out there--

There are so many different types of plastic and wire meshes and fences available that making the correct choice for your project can be difficult. And the limited choices available at most retail stores may not meet your requirements. The big box stores have no interest in stocking anything more than the basic commodity items and its a crapshoot as to the kind of counsel they might offer. There are many specifications that just aren't available - wire or plastic mesh and fence that may be just what you need. 

Exploring Possibilities 

 

Before you make a final decision on the product you want, make sure you have thought about and thoroughly considered all your options. The following questions may help you decide:

• Why do I need or want a fence?
• What do I hope to accomplish with this fence?
• Will the fence solve the problem or satisfy the need?
• Will the fence serve multiple purposes?
• Do I want the fence or mesh to last a long time?
• Are there any requirements that determine the mesh size that I want to use?
• Should the fence act as a barrier to keep something in or keep something out of an area?
• Where can I go and how do I get answers to my questions about the right product to use?
• When is it better to use a woven instead of a welded wire fence or mesh?
• Are there unique environmental factors that could potentially shorten the lifetime of the fence?
• Would it be better for me to use plastic or wire mesh or fence?
• Does my project require a lot of labor and expense that I will need to repeat if I use a less costly product with a shorter lifetime?             
• Does it make more sense for me to use a more expensive product with a longer lifetime?
• Is the appearance of the fence or mesh an important consideration?
• Is a plastic mesh really strong enough to use?
• Is one product more difficult to install than another?
• How tall a fence do I need?
• Are some fences easier to install if the ground is not level but has dips and rises?
• Are there any local codes or ordinances that put restrictions on my fence?
• Do I want the fence to blend into the background as much as possible?

 

This list represents only some of the questions you may have. Hopefully, it may suggest some aspects you have not considered. Some other blogs here may be able to help you answer additional questions.