Netting and mesh

Stock netting

This type of fencing material is also known as sheep netting, pig netting, ‘Rylock’ (Sentinel Fencing) and field fencing. There are many different grades and sizes available, as listed in Table 4d. Tornado Wire Ltd can manufacture high tensile netting to the customer’s specification, including height, roll length, wire sizes, tensile strength, and line and stay wire spacings.

The following three types are available, which differ in their method of manufacture:

• Hinged joint fencing. The continuous horizontal wires are joined by lengths of vertical wires, which are wound around the horizontal wires to form strong hinged joints. This is the most common type. The hinged joints give some flexibility over undulating ground, but the fence is liable to ‘concertina’ if put up badly.
• Knotted joints. Cyclone ‘Tightlock’ high tensile deer netting and Tornado Stiffstay high tensile deer netting have continuous horizontal and vertical high tensile wires, joined with a knot of wire as shown. The height of the netting requires extra rigidity, which is given by the continuous verticals and non-slip knots.
  
• Ringlock joints. The continuous horizontal and vertical wires are joined by a ring. Not commonly available in the UK.

Stock fencing is coded as follows:

The first letter refers to the grade of netting, which is determined by the diameter and tensile strength of the wire. The first number refers to the number of horizontal wires. The second number refers to the height of the netting in centimetres. The third number refers to the spacing of the vertical wires in centimetres. Note that Cyclone fencing code numbers refer to millimetres, as in the deer fencing listed here).

Eg HT8/80/15

HT = High tensile
8 = 8 horizontal wires
80 = Height of netting in centimetres
15 = Spacing of vertical wires in centimetres

Wire grades

HT = High tensile wire. Requires fewer intermediate posts but stronger straining posts. Very strong.
B = Heavy grade. For areas of industrial pollution, coastal areas, high stocking rates, or for any use where a heavy weight fence is required. More difficult to handle than other grades.
C = Medium grade. For normal use.
L = Light grade. For economy fencing.

The type of wire, the wire spacing and the overall height must be considered when selecting the correct fence for a particular use. Increased wire strength, closer wire spacing and greater height should be chosen for species which are more difficult to enclose or exclose.

All products in this table are hinged joint construction. High tensile fencing is normally supplied in 100m rolls, and mild steel fencing is normally supplied in 50m rolls.

The products are listed with highest specification first, i.e. the strongest types of wire are listed from the top, and within each wire type the highest fence with closest vertical spacing are listed first.

Suggested uses are given, but these may vary with the fence specification and individual situation. The addition of line wires above or below will allow different uses.

This is not a complete list of all manufacturers, and other products may be suitable.

Deer fencing

Various specifications of netting are manufactured specifically for deer fencing. These include products for excluding deer from farmland or forestry, and products for enclosing deer in farms. For deer farming, the highest specification fence is designed for perimeters and points where the fence comes under particular pressure.

Nearly all deer netting is made of high tensile wire, for its advantages as noted above.

The Tornado MV range of deer fencing is a one-piece full height net, but with closer spaced verticals in the lower half of the fence, where pressure from deer is greatest. Various specifications are available, or can be manufactured to customer requirements.

A high tensile plastic netting for temporary deer fencing is also available.

For further information on deer fencing, see here.

Wire netting

This familiar fencing material is also known as chicken wire, or hexagonal wire mesh. It should not be strained, as it will pull out of shape. For permanent fencing, it is hung on line wires of mild or high tensile wire, attached with netting rings. For temporary fencing, the netting is simply stapled to stakes.

All wire netting should be manufactured in accordance with BS EN 10223-2:1998. (At the time of publication, much of the hexagonal mesh available in the UK is manufactured to BS1485:1983, which is withdrawn and superseded.) Imported wire netting, not manufactured to either of these standards, is not recommended, as the galvanising, wire gauge or mesh size are likely to be sub-standard.

The mesh size is as shown in the diagram (see also chapter 9 – Fencing – Special uses).

Suggestions for use:

13mm: fruit cages, tree nursery beds, aviaries, rat-proofing
19mm: thatching, for keeping out sparrows
25mm: chicken runs, small game birds
31mm: proof against smallest rabbits, tree guards
38mm: generally rabbit proof, but not proof against smallest rabbits
50mm: poultry, game birds, general purpose
75mm: general purpose
100mm: sheep (not lambs, which can push their heads through)

Table 4e Deer Netting

Table 4f Hexagonal Wire Mesh

Welded mesh

Welded mesh is manufactured from bright (non galvanised) steel wire which is electrically welded at each intersection to create a rigid mesh. The mesh is then galvanised, or galvanised and PVC coated. As well as fencing, it can be used for animal cages, fruit cages, shelving and other purposes. ‘Weldmesh’ (Sentinel) is a widely available product, with welded mesh also available from Jacksons and Centrewire. Welded mesh is available in rolls and/or panels, with roll length varying according to mesh size and individual manufacturer.

Table 4g Welded mesh – examples of commonly available sizes.

Chain link

Chain link fencing is produced in a very wide range of wire size, mesh size and height. It is available galvanised, triple galvanised, PVC coated over a bright core, and PVC coated over a galvanised core. The PVC coat is available in green and black, and in other colours by request.

Usually chain link is erected on metal or concrete posts, but wooden posts can be used. For details of posts see here.

Chain link is widely used for safety and security fencing, though it can be cut quickly with wire cutters to force a breakthrough. Chain link fencing is mainly used in urban areas, for roadsides, railways and industrial premises.

Some of the types of chain link available are listed in Table 4h, together with the manufacturer’s recommended uses. Full details of all sizes can be obtained from manufacturers of chain link, such as Sentinel Fencing, or from fencing suppliers. Most sizes are supplied in 25m rolls, and include the required length of line wire.

Table 4h Chain Link Fencing