How to Attach Wire Mesh to a Fence
Wire mesh can improve the structural stability, safety, and security of your fencing. You can find wire mesh that is pliable, sturdy, weather and wind-resistant, and secure. Attaching wire mesh to wood, metal, vinyl, or split-rail fencing will prevent people and animals from trespassing and will reduce your liability for accidents or injuries. At Alpine Fence Co., we offer fencing solutions for homes and businesses throughout Washington. We specialize in fencing installation, maintenance, and repairs. If you don’t know how to attach wire mesh to a wood fence in Seattle, WA, or the surrounding areas, keep reading or call our team of expert fencing contractors to request an estimate.
Tools Needed to Attach Wire Mesh to a Fence
Before you begin, you should read through this tutorial explaining how to attach wire mesh to a fence and make sure you fully understand each step. If you don’t have much experience in DIY projects or fencing installation, you may prefer to call our fencing contractors. We can quickly install wire mesh on wood, vinyl, metal, and split-rail fencing. Once you have read through the instructions, gather the tools you will need to attach wire mesh to a fence:
- A roll of wire mesh fencing
- A heavy-duty staple gun
- Heavy-duty staples
- A cordless drill with a set of drill bits
- Wood screws
- Safety glasses and ear protection
- Heavy-duty work gloves
- Heavy-duty cutting pliers
- A hammer or mallet
- Soil pegs
- Tensioning wire
- Zip ties
Tips for Choosing the Right Wire Mesh for Your Fence
Most home and business owners must choose between welded wire mesh and galvanized steel wire mesh. Welded wire mesh is sturdy and rigid and can withstand the elements. Stainless steel mesh is treated to be resistant to corrosion, rust, and scratches. It can be used for small gardens, yards, and more. Galvanized steel mesh is coated with a zinc alloy that improves its strength and durability and makes it resistant to corrosion, UV damage, and oxidation. It can be used for fencing for yards, farms, decks, commercial properties, and other areas. Galvanized steel is best for protecting your property from pests, animals, and wildlife.
Inspect Your Fence Before Beginning
Before you begin installing wire mesh on your fencing, inspect your metal or wood fence posts or rails for any signs of damage. If your posts have been in place for a long time, ensure they are firmly implanted in the ground before you begin. Any damage should be repaired before you begin installation, or you’ll face delays or structural instability.
Take Accurate Measurements of Your Fence
Next, take accurate measurements of your fencing. You will need to buy a large enough roll of wire mesh to cover your entire fence, leaving a few extra inches on each side. You should have some extra on hand to repair future damage. Most people need one roll of mesh fencing for every 80 feet of fence. Wood, steel, or vinyl posts should be installed every three feet. You will need one strut for each end post and two struts for each corner. You will need tension wire for the top, bottom, and one row per 20 inches. You will need to install one tensioner for each tension wire, and staples or zip ties to attach the tension wire to each starting, corner, and reinforcement post. Tensioning bars are needed to tension the fence without damaging it, and you’ll need one bar for each end post and two bars for each corner or reinforcement post.
How to Attach Wire Mesh to Wood Fence
It’s important to know how to attach wire mesh to a split-rail fence or wood fence before you begin. To install wire mesh on a wood fence, you should stabilize the mesh loosely every six inches to ensure the mesh is secure. You want to make it lax enough that the mesh can adapt to temperature fluctuations and impact.
How to Attach Wire Mesh to Metal Fence
To install wire mesh on metal rods or posts, you should attach the mesh to the posts every six inches using zip ties or cable ties.
How to Attach Wire Mesh to Vinyl Fence
To attach wire mesh to a vinyl fence or concrete posts, you should use eye bolts and tensioning wire. Screw in eye bolts every six inches along the vinyl or concrete posts. Then use tensioning wire to attach the mesh to the concrete posts and use zip ties or cable ties to secure the mesh to the tensioning wire.
Importance of Bottom Edge Attachment for Wire Mesh
As you’re installing the wire mesh, you will have excess wire at the bottom of the fencing. You should use pliers to bend this wire mesh back underneath itself to create a more stable and durable bottom edge. You can then use your staple gun or zip ties to attach this edge in place every six inches.
Ensure Overlap for Stability
When attaching wire mesh to fencing, you should secure the mesh by wrapping it around each post back onto itself. This overlap ensures greater stability and reduces the risk of the mesh becoming damaged and disconnecting from the posts.
Our Weatherproofing Tips
You will need to weatherproof your wire mesh so that it will last longer. All exposed metal should be sealed and protected. When you’re done with installation, use an exterior-grade caulk or a silicone sealant to protect any exposed metal. Pay special attention to any edges that are stapled or areas where the mesh is attached to metal, wood, or vinyl fence posts. This protective coat will reduce the risk of corrosion, damage, and rust.
Why Aesthetics Matter
As you install the wire mesh, make sure it stands up straight against the posts. There should be a little sagging during installation, but maintaining tension will make sure there are no snags during installation. Taking the time to make sure the job is done correctly will extend the lifespan of your fencing and make it more stable and secure.
Secure Ends Firmly
When securing the mesh to wood, metal, or vinyl posts, use the most stable method possible. For wood, use wood screws. First, drill pilot holes and then attach screws every six to 12 inches. For metal or vinyl posts, you can use zip ties or wire or metal flashing.
Request an Estimate for Attaching Wire Mesh to Fencing
If you still aren’t sure how to attach wire mesh to a fence in Seattle, WA, or the surrounding areas, call us today or contact us online to request an estimate for the cost of wire mesh installation. At Alpine Fence Co., our fencing contractors have decades of experience and will arrive with the tools, materials, equipment, and expertise needed to do the job efficiently and correctly. Before we begin, we always offer a free, no-obligation estimate so you know what to expect. We specialize in residential and commercial fencing services, including fencing installation, repair, and maintenance in Seattle, West Seattle, Bellevue, Mercer Island, Kent, Auburn, Tukwila, Des Moines, Burien, SeaTac, Renton, and Federal Way, WA.