4 Keys To Choose the Best Fence for Your Needs

16 Jun.,2025

 

4 Keys To Choose the Best Fence for Your Needs

Important Considerations

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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.

Wire Mesh: A Guide to the Right Materials for DIY Projects

Wire mesh is a go-to for home improvement projects and DIYers with a creative spirit—but not all materials are created equal.

TWP Inc. carries a substantial inventory of products, ranging from decorative mesh and malleable chicken wire to welded and galvanized hardware cloth. Learn more about each type of metal mesh and its uses below.

Decorative Wire Mesh

Good for: Cabinet door inserts, shelving, indoor partitions, fire screens, interior lighting

Decorative wire mesh is available in various patterns and materials, including stainless steel, shiny brass, antique brass, weathered bronze, and nickel-plated alloys.

These aesthetically pleasing wire mesh panels are semi-transparent, allowing light to pass through while partially obstructing views. They're often used for cabinet and wet bar door inserts, backing for open shelves, and interior partitions, such as room dividers or partial walls. The visually appealing metal grids can also be fastened into fireplace screens, candle sconces, and homemade light fixtures. In fact, TWP Inc. is the go-to decorative mesh supplier for craftspeople on Etsy!

Not sure what style to choose? Order a decorative mesh sample kit from TWP Inc.

The company is the world’s best Wire Mesh Panels supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

Chicken Wire

Good for: Gardening, composting, outdoor pest control, sculptures, light fixtures, crafting

Sometimes called poultry netting or hex mesh on account of the hexagonal openings, chicken wire is fabricated from somewhat thin stainless steel wires. This uniquely flexible material is easily formed into various shapes, making it a top choice for many DIY applications.

Gardeners often choose chicken wire for tomato cages, cloches, outdoor composts, and a wide variety of other garden and landscape projects. It's also used to keep birds, moles, gophers, rabbits, pets, and other curious animals out of gardens or raised beds. Some people use this type of wire mesh to create sculptures to ornament their landscaping, as well as light fixtures and numerous craft projects.

Have questions about chicken wire and its uses? Get answers to FAQs in our blog.

Galvanized Wire Mesh

Good for: Fencing, gabions, pest control, concrete reinforcement, landscaping

Galvanized hardware cloth is dipped in molten zinc or plated (electro-galvanizing) to enhance its strength with a protective zinc coating. Ideal for outdoor applications, the steel-zinc alloy is exceedingly sturdy, waterproof, and resistant to extreme climates.

These heavy-duty metal mesh screens are often used for yard fences and gates, along with railings for balconies and back porches. The material is also suitable for farm fencing and livestock enclosures—chicken coops, for example.

Additionally, galvanized mesh is an excellent choice for pest control in both gardens and homes, like soffit screens, gutter guards, and foundation vents. Other uses include driveway reinforcement and landscaping, such as gabions, trellises, fire pits, and outdoor partitions.

Wondering if galvanized mesh rusts? Get the answer to this question and more.

Welded Mesh Wire

Good for: Pest control, fencing, ventilation, automotive, chimney caps, spark arrestors, food drying

Unlike the woven variety, welded mesh is made by connecting stainless steel wires through resistance welding. The result is a rigid metal grid with exceptional resistance to rust, corrosion, and abrasion.

Homeowners use this type of wire mesh for pest control, particularly rodent-proofing houses, sheds, and gardens. Other applications include chimney caps, spark arrestors, ventilation for attics and crawl spaces, car or tractor grills, and food drying. Like its galvanized counterpart, welded metal mesh is sometimes used for property fences and porch railings.

Woven Wire Mesh vs. Welded Wire Mesh: What's Right for You? See our blog for insight.

Finely Woven Mesh Screens

Good for: Door and window screens, gardening, pest control

Finely woven hardware cloth with very small openings is commonly used to make window and door screens. The semi-transparent material offers some privacy while allowing light and air to pass through and protecting homes from flying insects and birds.

Gardeners sometimes use finely woven copper mesh to repel snails, slugs, and other pests from roots, seedlings, and sprouts.

Learn about the four best wire mesh materials for insect screens.

Mesh Wire, Panels & Screens for DIY Projects & More

TWP Inc. has an extensive inventory of prefabricated metal mesh, in stock and ready to ship. Our women-owned company has been a leading supplier of industrial-grade products and a reliable resource for homeowners and DIYers for over five decades.

Pro tip: We can custom cut your materials to help you save time and money on your next project.

Browse and shop our selection today or contact us to discuss your next project. We’re happy to help!

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Wire Mesh Roll.