Important Considerations
Mclassic Metal Product Page
Buying fencing without seeing it can be difficult but we are here to help you. We have pulled together our top 4 key considerations to help you choose the best fence for your needs.
1. The Type of Wire Determines a Fence's Durability and Use
For example, vinyl-coated and stainless steel fences offer maximum durability, making them ideal choices for harsh environments and applications where longevity is a must.
We provide four unique types of welded wire to address any durability and budget needs:
Galvanized Before Weld (GBW)
GBW mesh is made from strands of galvanized wire welded together. During the welding process, the rust preventing galvanizing is burned off at the weld points where the wires intersect. These meshes are economical but have a limited lifetime. A general purpose mesh, ideal for low-cost fencing, kennels, cages, and a variety of other uses.
Galvanized After Weld (GAW)
GAW mesh is made by dipping previously welded mesh into a bath of molten zinc. The entire mesh, including the welded areas, is thoroughly sealed and protected against rust. This wire is particularly useful for animal enclosures or other applications where rust prevention and long life is desired. Ideally suited for use as ground wire for bird enclosures and animal enclosures. (ZA (zinc aluminum for agricultural fences (one step between GAW & Vinyl Coated).
Vinyl Coated (VC)
VC mesh is made by coating either galvanized before or galvanized after welded mesh with a thick layer of black or green PVC fused to the wire by a heat process, creating an attractive, tough, long-lasting, weather and chemical-resistant mesh. Vinyl coated meshes have the longest lifetime in any application. This 12½" gauge mesh with 1½" x 1½" openings makes a particularly excellent floor for dog kennels.
Stainless Steel
SS welded wire mesh, strong and long-lasting, needs no additional finish to protect it. The wire itself is extremely resistant to rust, corrosion, and harsh chemicals. Use stainless mesh or fence in areas with prolonged exposure to salt and other corrosives.
2. Wire Gauge: a Fence that Endures
- Wire gauge also determines durability and use. The lower the gauge number the thicker the wire, making low gauge fencing ideal for applications where strength and durability are required.
- Along with the wire type, wire gauge determines how tough and long-lasting your fence will be. Louis Page sells welded wire in 10.5, 11, 12.5, 14, 16, 19, and 23 gauge thicknesses.
- Remember, the lower the gauge number, the thicker and stronger the wire will be.
- Thicker wire is more resistant to the elements and tougher for critters to chew through. A sharp beak can make short work of a thin gauge wire. No such luck with a thicker gauge!
- For these reasons, wire gauge is an important factor in determining both how long your fence will last and the use for which it is best suited.
3. Mesh Openings: a Wide Variety of Uses
Smaller mesh opening is important for fencing in or out smaller animals, which could slip through a larger opening. Smaller openings also make for more rigid panels, making durability a secondary consideration.
Mesh opening is a very important factor to consider based on what you’re planning to fence in or out.
4. Fence Height - Animals Test the Boundaries
Quite simply, taller fencing is required to fence in and out larger animals, and animals that can jump high. Fence height is very important factor based on what you’re planning to fence in or out. Simply put, taller fencing is required to fence in and out larger animals, as well as animals that can jump high. For example, shorter fences are ideal for uses like chicken enclosures, rabbit cages, and puppy kennels. A taller fence is required for enclosing large farm animals like cows and goats and fencing out deer.
Last week, we detailed the importance of an overall farm fencing plan. Now, it’s time to decide on the type of permanent and mobile fence you will use. The kinds of fences commonly used on farms include board, barbed wire, woven wire, cable, mesh, high-tensile, electric or a combination of any of these.
Livestock
The first consideration in deciding on what fence to use is its purpose. Fencing is most commonly used for livestock confinement, but species, age, breed and production system must be taken into account.
Cattle. Most fence types can be used for cattle, so assess factors such as expense, ease of construction and life expectancy of the material. Woven wire, barbed wire and high-tensile fences are commonly used. When bulls are penned separately, consider using heavy posts, with thick-gauge wire or cable and other strong electric fencing options. Fences for handling facilities should be strong, tall and visible.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of field fence. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
Recommended article:Is Monel Wire Mesh Safe and Effective for Oil and Gas Corrosion Protection?
Why Is the 358 High Security Fence Overrated?Sheep. For sheep, predator control is a high priority. Electric fences are useful for discouraging predators such as wild dogs and coyotes. Barbed wire is not as effective for sheep, as the barbs tend to get covered in wool.
Horses. Visibility is necessary when selecting fencing for horses. Barbed wire can tear a horse’s hide, and horses can become entangled in high-tensile fences. High-tensile fences can be made more visible by placing posts closer together or hanging ribbons. Board fences are ideal for horses and woven wire fences can also be used.
Swine. Swine require strong fences built low to the ground to prevent them from escaping by rooting. Barbed wire along the bottom of the fence helps prevent rooting. Fences around swine confinement areas need to be strong and able to withstand heavy use.
Types of fences
1Rail fences
Rail fences are typically used as border fences around the farm and are popular on horse farms. These fences are available in PVC plastic, vinyl coated wooden boards, treated wood and painted wood. A high-tensile polymer fence has the look of a rail fence with high-tensile wires encased inside.
2Barbed wire fence
Barbed wire fences are made of two or more strands of smooth, galvanized-coated, steel wire twisted together with two or four barbs spaced every four to five inches and generally classified as either a standard or suspension barbed wire fence.
Standard barbed wire fences usually have three to five strands of wire between posts spaced between 15 and 25 feet apart, while suspension fences use four to six strands of wire taut between posts.
3Woven wire fence
Woven wire fences consist of a number of horizontal lines of smooth wire held apart by vertical wires called stays. The height of most woven wire ranges from 26 to 48 inches and depends on the jumping ability of the livestock species.
4Mesh wire fence
Mesh wire fences are strong and provide livestock safety. They are replacing board fencing in many areas, but are more expensive than woven wire. Because of the cost, they are used primarily for confinement fencing around corrals, feed lots, or small crop acreage areas. They also work well for horses.
5High-tensile fences
High-tensile fences are some of the most popular types of fences used. The advantages of high-tensile fencing: easier to construct, lasts longer, costs less to build, requires less maintenance.
Wires are held in tension along wood, fiberglass, insulated metal posts or a combination of posts and battens or droppers. These fences should be used with electricity to improve animal holding capability and predator control.
6Cable fences
Because of their expense, cable fences are used primarily for confinement areas, such as holding pens, feed lots and corrals. Cable fences consist of 3/8-inch smooth, steel wire cables stretched from one anchor post to the next. Each cable is made out of seven strands of wire twisted together.
There is no limit to the number of cables used, but, a six-cable fence is typically used for large animals. Spacing between cables depends on the species of livestock being confined.
7Electric fences
Electric fences are widely used in many livestock operations because they can be a safe, effective and inexpensive means of permanent or temporary fencing if constructed properly and energized with a properly sized controller for the area being confined.
Polywire strands, or ribbons, are the most commonly used. Aluminum, stainless steel and high-tensile wire can also be used — these wires can conduct electricity better for longer distances but are less visible to livestock.
A strand of electric fencing added to other types of fencing usually improves effectiveness.
Sources: University of Georgia Cooperative Extension and University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture.
Next week: Farm and Dairy will provide additional tips on safely installing fences.
(Farm and Dairy is featuring a series of “101” columns throughout the year to help young and beginning farmers master farm living. From finances to management to machinery repair and animal care, farmers do it all.)
For more types of security fencinginformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.
More Farming 101 columns:
Comments
All Comments (0)