Welded wire mesh

Aversatile product that can be used in many different applicationswith a wide variety of specifications from which to choose: wire gauge size, mesh size and finish.

A variety of wire gauges

• 27, 23,21, 20 and 19 gauges - these light weight gauges are generally used in welded wire products with small mesh openings such as hardware cloth.
• 16, 14, and 12.5 gauges - the standard, most readily available heavier gauge wires used in welded wire meshes for fences, cages, and partitions.
• 11, 10.5, and 8.5 gauges - heavy duty wire used in strong meshes suitable for lobster traps, railing safety panels, and other specialized applications.
• Other gauges are also available, both heavier and lighter, for more specialized applications.
  

Mesh sizes

• 1/8" x 1/8", 1/4" x 1/4", 1/3" x 1/3" and 1/2" x 1/2" - typical small mesh sizes for light gauge hardware cloth welded wire meshes.
• 1/2" x 1/2", 1/2" x 1", 1" x 1", and 2" x 3" - these welded wire meshes are usually made from 16 gauge wire.
• 1/2"x 3", 1" x 1", 1" x 2", 1.5" x 4", 2" x 2" and 2" x 4" - meshes available in 14 gauge wire.
• 1/2" x 3", 1" x 1", 1.5" x 1.5", 2" x 2" and 2 x 4" - 12.5, 11, 10.5 and 8.5 gauge wires are available in some of these mesh sizes.
• Additionally, there aremore unusual mesh opening sizes that are also available.
  

And finishes

• Galvanized Before Weld - the most common and generic type of welded wire mesh found in most retail stores. Products are economical but have a limited lifetime. Galvanized wire is welded into the mesh configuration. The welding process burns the protective zinc coating off the wire, exposing it to rust and corrosion.
• Galvanized After Weld - the welded wire meshes with superior rust and corrosion resistance. Use these products when you want the mesh to last. Initial higher cost is offset by long lifetime, avoiding the need for frequent replacement. After the mesh is welded it is immersed in a bath of molten zinc, thoroughly protecting it against rust and corrosion.
• Vinyl Coated - combining the double rust and corrosion protection of zinc and vinyl, these welded wire meshes combine long life with an attractive appearance. Black and green are the usual colors. Look for a PVC coated product. There are high-quality products available and there are less expensive inferior products on the market. You get what you pay for.
• Other types of wire, such as stainless steel, are also available in welded wire meshes.

What kind of welded wire mesh do you need?

Are you having trouble finding the welded wire mesh that you want? Give us a call. We know what's out there.

Would you like more choices?

Beginning Stages

There are so many different types of fencing materials available, how do you know which one to choose?

Are you overwhelmed when it comes time to make a decision?

How do you know which one is the right choice?

Corralling, Guarding, Defining

Most often, fences are used to either keep something in or keep something out of an area. But sometimes fences are used for decorative purposes or to define a boundary line or construction area. There are seasonal fences such as snow fence. And there are fences used to control drifting sand. The fencing materials you choose should be defined by the fence's purpose.

Fencing materials made from wire are the most common type available. The wire can be either woven or welded into a wide variety of mesh opening sizes.

Woven Meshes

There are woven meshes strong enough to contain livestock with different styles for specific types of animals. And there are deer and wildlife fences tall enough to keep out deer. Lighter gauge woven hex netting chicken wire meshes with black PVC coating can protect your poultry and fowl as well as your garden.

Welded Meshes

Use welded wire fencing materials to keep your pets and children in the yard. Vinyl coated welded meshes make an attractive and long-lasting garden fence. There are many different wire gauges and mesh sizes from which to choose. Smaller meshes are ideal for animal cages and wildlife exclusion barriers.

Do you have any preference in fencing materials, woven or welded?

Which type has worked best for you?

A Few Questions--

• Does the damage caused by gophers cost you money?

• Are you tired of gophers destroying your lawn, garden and flower beds?

• Have you been looking for a gopher deterrent to solve the problem?

Gopher deterrent fence and mesh

An effective way to eliminatedamage and destruction of your lawn, garden, and planted areas is to lay down wire mesh under the soil. This will form an impenetrable barrier, preventing gophers from digging their way to the surface, forcing them to stay underground in the protected areas.

Galvanized hardware cloth

One type of mesh ideal for this purpose is 19 gauge hardware cloth with a 1/2" x 1/2" square mesh. This galvanized after weld mesh will last for several years underground. The zinc coating resists rust and corrosion. It is available in 24", 36", 48", 60" and 72" widths. Roll lengths are 50' and 100' except for the 60" and 72" sizes which are only available in 100' rolls. The wider widths work well when you need to cover a large area like a lawn.

Vinyl coated hardware cloth

If you want a product that will last even longer, use wire that is black vinyl coated. The same mesh is available in all widths in 100' rolls. Vinyl coating over the galvanized mesh gives significant additional protection against rust and corrosion.

Have you tried other methods of gopher exclusion? Do they work?

What other types of gopher deterrents do you find effective?

For road safety, field management, and more

Here are somevideos from the University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Serviceexplaining the benefits and functionality of snow fences. This type of snow fence was based on research done in Wyoming.

Have you ever seen these snow fences in operation?

Would they be appropriate for your situation or is the scale of these snow fences too big?

Gophers--our neighbor invaders

They are the scourge of nurseries, gardens, lawns, athletic fields, orchards, golf courses and other open public areas. Anyone who lives in an area infested with gophers knows the signs - the mounds of fresh soil dotting the ground's surface. One gopher can create several mounds in a day. Mounds can interfere with lawn mowers and severely impact the appearance of lawns.

Conditions for digging are ideal in irrigated areas: flower beds, lawns, and gardens. Gophers love to eat:

• vines
• shrubs
• trees
• ornamental plants
• vegetables

• A burrow system can cover an area of 200 to 2,000 square feet.
• Food storage and nesting areas can be as deep as six feet.
• Feeding burrows with a 3" diameter are most often 6" to 12" below ground.

Perhaps the most effective way to combat the destructive and very costly impact of gophers on gardens, lawns, athletic fields, nurseries, and plantings is to bury wire mesh below the ground's surface. Though costly and labor intensive, such a barrier will prevent gophers from burrowing to the surface.

Welded wire - A good mesh to use as gopher wire is 1/2" x 1/2" welded wire. This is available in both 19 gauge, hardware cloth, and heavier 16 gauge wire. It comes in both a galvanized after weld and PVC vinyl coated finish. The galvanized finish protects the wire from rust and corrosion. The vinyl coating gives the mesh even longer protection. Widths up to 72" makes it easier to cover large areas with fewer joints.

Woven wire - Hex netting also makes an excellent gopher wire barrier. Vinyl coated 19 gauge, 3/4" and 20 gauge, 1" meshes are available. As with the welded wire, the PVC coating assures years of use. Lighter weight than the welded mesh products, the hex products are easier to work with. Rolls of 1" hex are available in widths up to 90".

Are gophers a problem for you? How have you tried to solve this?

Do you have a solution that's different from using gopher wire you'd like to share?

Information source: UC Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program, University of California, Davis, CA 95616