Good fencing needs careful planning, selection of materials, and construction. Hardware cloth is a welded, galvanized roll of wire fencing with small holes that keep predators away from your pets and animals.
You can cover trees, fences and metal fences by installing a hardware cloth fence. You’ll need hand tools and a few inexpensive items to adhere hardware cloth to your metal fence.
Mesh fencing can be utilized as a trellis, producing a lovely landscaping effect without detracting from the fence’s primary function. Steel is used to make the hardware cloth.
Place the hardware cloth roll on the ground. Place the tape measure’s edge on the free end of the hardware cloth and stretch it to the right length. Using wire cutters, cut the hardware cloth along the specified line.
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Hardware Cloth Or Mesh Fencing: An overview
Depending on the function of the fence, you can use mesh fencing for welding, weaving and knotting. The most common types of fences are welded and woven, although, over hilly terrain, knotted fencing can significantly benefit from its enhanced flexibility.
However, some knotting techniques produce sharp edges that may not be acceptable for prolonged contact with people or animals. A thin wire with small mesh sizes is used to make hardware cloth. It’s commonly used for a light-duty fences, such as rabbit cages and other small enclosures.
Attaching the mesh fencing to a frame of wood posts and rails is the most durable and secure construction method.
Steps To Install Hardware Cloth Fence
Mark The Posts Location
Establish a straight fence line using a string line, then mark the location of the posts with wooden pegs driven into the ground. With these types of lightweight fences, there is no exact science regarding post spacing.
The size of the posts, the depth, the type of soil in which they are buried, the severity of the winds, and the specific function of the fence they will support all play a role.
Install Hardware Mesh To Metal Posts
Metal fence posts are distinguished by their -cross-sectional shape and a pointed plate near the bottom that aids in-ground anchoring.
A large maul or sledgehammer, or a manual or air-powered post driver, can drive metal fence posts into the earth. Check with your fencing supplier or a nearby rental yard if you need post drivers. It may be easier to start each post from a ladder and drive it as close to plumb as feasible.
Because the hooks or lugs on the posts are the connectors for the fencing, be sure they’re facing the same way. The general guideline is that the fencing should be installed on the side facing the animals you want to keep in or out.
Wire clips are twisted with pliers over mesh fencing on some metal posts. Posts with hooks that can be hammered shut when the fencing is slid into place make for a faster installation.
Unroll Fencing
Place the hardware cloth next to the trench and roll it out. Place the wire’s points in the ground and unroll from beneath the roll of fencing. Bend the wire’s bend so that it rests flat on the ground.
Use Zip Ties To Attach Cloth With Fence
In the trench, raise the hardware cloth. Attach the wire to the fence with zip ties. Wrap a zip tie over the current fence and the hardware cloth, then insert the pointed end of the tie into the retaining end and pull the pointed end to tighten the bond.
Cut Additional Hardware Cloth
Adjust the length of the hardware cloth with the wire cutters as needed. Using your wire cutters, snip off the excess zip tie portions. Fill the trench with the dirt that was removed during the excavation. Compact the earth by walking over it.
How To Install Hardware Cloth Or Mesh Fencing To Wood Posts?
Wood rails should be installed on their edges rather than flat since they are less likely to droop. On the other hand, Mesh fencing is lightweight, so this may not be an issue for you.
Even yet, the temptation to sit on or climb over a fence with flat rails is considerably greater than one with rails on edge. So, keep that in mind before putting the fence together.
Galvanized U-staples is the best way to fasten mesh fencing to wood posts and rails. Roll the fencing and secure the edge to the first post from the first to the second post.
Instead, cut the fencing at a post with wire cutters, overlap the next fencing roll on the same post, and staple the two parts together. Attach a roll of fencing to the top rail and then to the bottom rail or rails.
Conclusion
Hardware Cloth is a wire mesh made of steel wire, stainless steel wire, or galvanized steel wire. Installing hardware cloth or metal mesh around metal and wooden posts is different. That’s why you have to choose an installation method according to the type of fence.
Hopefully, this article will guide you to install mesh fencing around wooden and metal posts effortlessly and efficiently. If you still need assistance, hire professionals for the installation process.
