The Fence Post

Woven Mesh is Often Preferred

There are many different sizes of wire meshes that are available with small openings. Most often called hardware cloth, these meshes are usually welded using light gauge wire. After fabrication, the finished product is hot dipped in zinc. This Galvanized After process not only provides good protection against rust and corrosion, but also stiffens the welded fabric.

Until recently, Galvanized After woven meshes were as easy to obtain as the welded products. Woven mesh is not always exactly square due to the weaving process which can cause slight distortions resulting in a "wavy" mesh. Depending on the final application, woven products are often preferred over the welded meshes. They tend to be a bit heavier and stronger. They are also more costly.

Some Common Sizes

As the small opening wire mesh size gets smaller, so does the gauge or thickness of the wires. The more common sizes and wire gauges of square meshes are:

• 1/2" - also known as 2 x 2 and 2 mesh (2 squares per inch) 19 gauge wire
• 3/8" - also known as 3 x 3 and 3 mesh (approximately 3 squares per inch) 21 gauge wire
• 1/4" - also known as 4 x 4 and 4 mesh (4 squares per inch) 23 gauge wire
• 1/8" - also known as 8 x 8 and 8 mesh (8 squares per inch) 27 gauge wire
                                                                      

Galvanized After Mesh, Special Ordering                                                                                    There are many other Galvanized After mesh sizes and gauges available as well. These are often called industrial wire cloth. They are woven, heavier, more expensive, and often must be special ordered. The more common sizes are:

• 5/8" - 17 gauge wire
• 3/4" - 16 gauge wire

In addition to galvanized products, the 1/2", 19 gauge and 1/4", 23 gauge mesh styles are available with a black PVC coating over the Galvanized After core wire.

These excellent and long lasting meshes can meet the requirements of many different projects and Louis Page can help you think through the various mesh types and possibilities. Simply call us at (866) 328-5018.

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.

Deer and Orchard Fence is a lightweight, economical fence and  ideal for:

• keeping small animals out of gardens or other protected areas.
• enclosing and safeguarding your poultry, rabbits and other small animals from predators.
• sheltering your trees, shrubs and garden from browsing deer.
• defining your property boundary.

With Flexibility

The configuration of this woven wire fence is similar to heavier weight field fence. Spacing between the vertical wires is 6". Horizontal wires are 1" apart (1" x 6" openings) at the bottom and 4" apart (4" x 6" openings) at the top. The horizontal wires are crimped to allow for expansion and contraction.

Deer and Orchard, Poultry and Garden fence is woven using 14-1/2 gauge galvanized wire. Heavier 11 gauge galvanized wires are used for the top and bottom wires. The rolls feature hinge-joint construction. These flexible joints help the fence conform to uneven terrain. 

Rolls are available in three sizes:

• 48" x 165'  -  87 pounds
• 60" x 165'  -  105 pounds
• 72" x 165'  -  120 pounds

An Informed Decision

There are so many different types of welded and woven wire fences available today. Making an informed decision about which fence mesh you should use can be challenging. How do you choose the right fence?

During the process of making your decision, take the following into consideration:

• How long do you want the fence or mesh to last?

• Will the fence be permanent or temporary?

• Is the appearance of the fence or mesh important?

• How visible will the fence be?

• Will your fence be partially hidden by trees or foliage?

• What factors or requirements determine the mesh size that you want to use?

• Are there any zoning or code limitations?

• What factors will determine the height of your fence?

• Do you want a barrier to keep people or animals out of an area?

• Is it important that the fence safely contain children or pets?

• What environmental factors exist that could potentially shorten the lifetime of the wire?

• Will the fence be exposed to corrosive substances?

• Does your project require a lot of labor and expense that will need to be repeated more frequently if you use a less costly product and the wires rust through and need to be replaced?

• Will the appearance of rusting wires be objectionable?

• Does it make sense to use a more expensive product with a longer lifetime?

• Do you want a galvanized finish or a less intrusive vinyl coated finish?

These are only some of the questions you may want to answer before going ahead with your project. Louis Page can help with these questions and assist you in your search. A reputable and professional fence installer can also be a great help in guiding you to your final decision.

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.