Wire mesh fencingare among the most popular types of fencing. We are happy to choose them because the wire mesh is cheap and easy to install. So why not make such a fence yourself? Here is astep-by-step guide on how to make a mesh fencethat will be aesthetically pleasing, durable and practical. Learn a few tricks to makeassembling a wire mesh fencea breeze for you!
Wire mesh fence
To make a wire mesh fence you will need:fence mesh, steel or reinforced concrete posts, concrete mix to fix the posts in the ground, steel wire to strengthen the structure and a ratchet reel or a turnbuckle used to stretch the reinforcement wire.When we complete it all, we can start work.
We can choose from severaltypes of fencing meshWe can choose a woven or welded wire mesh with different mesh sizes and shapes (quadrilateral, hexagonal), weave and color. The most popular today areplastic coated mesh , available in many colors, heights and mesh sizes. The main advantage of these meshes is the fact that they do not need to be painted and protected against corrosion. On the other hand, when buying an uncoated mesh, we can paint it in a selected color, matching other elements of the garden.
Step 1 - marking the place for the posts
The first stepmaking a wire mesh fenceis marking the plot border and planning places for entering and entering the property. The posts can be placed at any distance, but not more than 3 meters.
We start assembling the mesh fence withplacing posts in the corners, at the wicket and the gate, and then we install the rest at equal distances. Most often, for this type of fences we useposts made of steel or reinforced concrete pipes .
Having marked out places for the posts, we move on to digging the holes. Depending on the level of ground freezing, the hole should be 80 to 140 cm deep.
Step 2 - embedding the posts in the ground
Before embedding the posts in the trench , we must protect them against rust by applying at least two layers of anti-corrosion agent. Then we prepare a concrete mix which we will pour over the embedded posts. The mixture should be made in a ratio of 1: 3 (one part of cement to 3 parts of sand).The trench should be so large that the distance between its border and the post is about 10 cm on each side. To fill the hole, we can additionally use crushed stone, field stones or concrete rubble.After pouring concrete on the posts, we need to level them .
Good to knowIn order for the posts to stand in a straight line and to have the same height after placing them in the holes, it is best to concret first the corner posts, and the next day, when the concrete has set, stretch it between a string that will allow you to determine the location of the next posts.
After concreting the posts, wait at least 5 days . During this time, the mass will bind well. It is also worth strengthening the posts with supports to balance the effects of forces.Supports are necessary in the following cases:
- at each corner post
- at each post on which a wicket or gate leaf is to hang
- if the length of the fence in a straight line exceeds 20 m, also on the central post
The supports are made of the same material as the post and placed at an angle of 45 ° in the middle of its height. It is best to weld the support or screw it with a bolt (fig. 1).
Fig. 1 - Net stretched on reinforced concrete posts and the method of fixing supports to an intermediate post. Horizontal wires intertwined through the mesh are clearly visible.
Step 3 - tensioning the fence mesh
The next stage of creating the fence isstretching the wire mesh over the fenceInstallation begins with making three holes in the corner posts. Halfway up and about 5 cm from its top and bottom edges. In them we attach special bolts with eyelets, through which we thread a long steel rod, at the same time weaving it into the first vertical row of mesh. It is important that the net is approx. 5 cm above the ground or along the plinth.Then we unfold the mesh and pre-attach it to the posts with wire.
Step 4 - assembly of wire reinforcement mesh fence
We have the posts installed, we unfolded the mesh, but we still have to pull the right wires through the mesh. It is best when there are three of them, but as a last resort, there may also be one. It is also worth pulling them through the additional holes in the posts, this will definitely strengthen the structure (Fig. 2).
Fig. 2 - Holes were made in the reinforced concrete posts, through which steel wires were interlaced with the reinforcement
In the last corner post, weave thewires through the holes made in it and use a special ratchet reel or turnbuckleto stretch the net . It should not be done by force, as too much tension will deform the shape of the fence.
Step 5 - top of the posts in the mesh fence
The last stage of making a mesh fence issecuring the posts against water ingress inside them . We have two options - buy ready-made plastic plugs available in stores or weld the so-called canopies.
MSc Eng. Joanna Białowąs
