A fence holds significant importance in your property. Whether it is your house, agricultural property, a ranch, or any sort of property that needs protection. And wire fencing is one of the many ways you can safeguard your property. It is flexible and at the same time, it keeps unwanted guests out of your premises and can keep your pets in the backyard or your livestock in your ranch if you have any.
On top of everything else, there are different types of wire fences that are sturdy, robust, low maintenance, and can suit your specific requirements. Each type of fence has its advantages and can be better for specific use as compared to others. So, let’s explore different kinds of wire fences.
12 Types of Wire Fences:
1. Welded Wire Fence
This type of wire fencing is built by positioning wires in a vertical and horizontal fashion that appear as rectangles and squares. To make the formation sturdy, they are then welded together using the spot-welding technique. As a result, a strong sheet of fences is formed that is virtually featureless. However, these are also rigid as compared to conventional woven versions, which we will discuss in the next type.
On the other hand, welded wire fences can be more decorative than traditional wire fencing. However, if made with industrial-grade material, it can be even stronger and ideal for rural as well as urban use. It can be used around residential properties, pools, parks and natural reserves, prisons and military bases, dog kennels, and more.
2. Woven Wire Fences
The woven wire fence is made by interweaving pieces of wire in various shapes. However, the most sought fencing design is the chain-link. This type of wire fencing is flexible and can stretch and bend seamlessly. Hence all the wires are woven into each other, if one wire is cut, the fence might be totally compromised.
A woven fence is popularly used in kennel and dog runs, keeping the pets in check, decorative applications, and fencing around yards. To string a chain-link properly, a fence-stretcher is needed. This is where adding the chain-link fence can get expensive. If a fence-stretcher is not used then the fence sags at a lot of places, which makes it a poorly constructed wire fence.
3. Barbed Wire Fences
This fence is generally used to keep cattle safe. It is basically made out of steel and is twisted in a different way as compared to a conventional woven wire. Its wires are twined rather than intertwining with each other. Barbs are evenly spaced out, which gives it the name, barbed wire. If an animal attempts to break the fence, it can get injured. This kind of wire fencing is ideal for keeping cattle and livestock in check, making boundaries between ranches, containing prisoners, and for military applications as well.
This wire fence is stringed from one post to another, which is built out of wood. To retain the fence in place, they are starched enough to create tension between each post. Installing barbed wire is so easy that it is popular among homesteaders and farmers. For tools, you need a staple gun and a pair of industry-grade gloves. By using the staple gun to staple the wire to a post and pulling it tight to the next one, you can install the wire easily. This makes them economical as well as professional help is not required.
This type of wire fencing can be mixed with other types of fences such as chain-link and wood rails to bolster security and stop the intruders from climbing over, and through. Some individuals also use razor wire, which is a variant of barbed wire. It is placed on top of the fences at prisons and military bases to prevent people from climbing over.
4. Electrified Fences
It is designed to shock the intruder upon contact. This fence is made of steel or aluminum and is ideal for agricultural space. It has low voltage to stun the cattle upon contact. However, electrified fences installed on commercial or industrial properties are designed to stun the intruders as well. Military-grade electrified fences have high voltage and can cause death when touched. Lethal voltage is always used on military bases or prisons. However, it is barricaded so that it is not accidentally touched and it is usually placed behind a non-lethal fence.
These types of wire fences are generally used in the agricultural landscape where sheep, poultry, and horses have to be contained. These fences are so effective that after touching the fence once, the animals know that they have to keep their distance. They are also used in safeguarding property lines, stopping animals from entering the crops, and more. Installing an electrified fence can be dangerous and professionals are highly advised.
Composition of Wire Fences
Different materials are used in making wired fences, making them appropriate for several purposes. Here are a few types:
1. Aluminum
It is a lightweight fence and also resistant to rain and moisture. Aluminum is a great conductor of electricity and hence it is also used in making electrified fences.
2. Steel
Steel wire fences are durable and long-lasting. As steel is naturally corrosion-resistant it costs more than other wired fences. Moreover, it is also suitable in saltwater surroundings. This wire needs no galvanization and lasts longer than galvanized products. A fence made of steel is very strong and rust-resistant as well. Steel is also a good conductor of electricity and hence it is also used in electrified fences.
3. Poly Wire
Poly wire is utilized in the installation of an electrified fence with a requirement of visibility. As its stands are tightly colored, it can be seen in darker settings. Its strands are woven with a conductive wire and then electrified. Poly wires are rust-proof and don’t severely hurt the livestock if they get entangled in them.
4. Wire Fence Coats
Each method of wire fence coating is different and several materials are used in the process. It is most commonly used to encircle a landfill and for that reason, it doesn’t have to be aesthetically appealing as opposed to an enclosed playground.
5. Galvanizing Before Weld or Weave
Galvanizing before welding or weaving or GBW is the treatment of a wire with a coating that protects it from rust and corrosion. When the wire is welded, it burns away some of the galvanized parts, which creates small spaces where water or moisture causes damage over a period of time.
6. Galvanizing After Weld or Weave
A fence wire that is galvanized after welding and weaving or GAW lasts longer than a GBW. It might cost more than a GBW, however, it won’t need much repair and maintenance after the installation as a GBW wire. A GAW wire is welded and weaved and dipped in the protective coating. This leaves no spots and spaces for water or moisture to cause damage. It is ideal for outdoor applications where the fence has to face extreme weather conditions.
7. VC — vinyl-coated welded or woven
Vinyl-coated wire fencing is covered in vinyl—as the name suggests—after welding and weaving. This type of wire fence is aesthetically pleasing and long-lasting as the fence is protected by both vinyl and galvanized coating. It is ideally installed around playgrounds, pools to protect children, and yards to keep pets in check.
8. Powder coat
Powder coat is a thick, powdered paint that is used to cover steel wire fencing. It saves the fence from UV rays, moisture, and corrosion.
9. E-Coating
Sometimes before coating the fence with a powder coat, it is first layered with an E-coat or an electroplate. It makes the surface corrosion resistant. Electroplating is done by dipping the wire in paint and then charging it electrically. This starts a chemical reaction that further strengthens the coating.
To sum it up:
Choosing the right types of wire fences according to your needs is necessary. Some of the fences mentioned in the article can be installed without any professional help while some may need it. In any case, fences are important for the safety of your house and your property be it agricultural with your cattle and livestock or your ranch.
