Choosing woven wire fence starts with the application—not with a product name.

Different projects may require different combinations of:

• Mesh opening
• Fence height
• Wire diameter
• Tensile strength
• Knot construction
• Coating
• Posts and bracing
• Installation method

A suitable specification should therefore be selected as a complete fence system, rather than by comparing one dimension at a time.

The Woven Wire Fence Selection Process

A practical selection process can be simplified into eight steps:

Application → User / Animal → Mesh → Height → Wire → Knot → Coating → Installation

Each step narrows the appropriate product configuration.

1. Define the Application

Start by identifying what the fence needs to do.

Common applications include:

Livestock Containment

For:

• Cattle
• Sheep
• Goats
• Horses
• Swine
• Mixed livestock

The priority is usually reliable containment and long-term structural performance.

Wildlife Exclusion

Used to prevent animals such as deer from entering:

• Orchards
• Vineyards
• Crops
• Nurseries
• Protected areas

Height, mesh configuration, ground clearance, and gates become particularly important.

Wildlife Containment

Some managed wildlife applications require a secure perimeter fence.

The specification can differ substantially from conventional livestock fencing.

General Agricultural Fencing

Woven wire may also be used for property boundaries, agricultural facilities, and other rural applications.

Define the application before selecting the fence.

2. Identify the Animal or Target Species

If the fence is intended for animals, identify the species first.

Application	Primary Considerations
Cattle	Strength, height, structural stability
Sheep	Mesh opening and containment
Goats	Mesh, height, climbing behavior
Horses	Safety, visibility, entanglement risk
Swine	Lower-section containment and pushing
Deer	Height, mesh, exclusion
Mixed livestock	Most demanding containment requirement

Animal size and behavior can be as important as physical size.

Young animals, horned animals, climbing animals, and animals that push against fencing may require different configurations.

3. Select the Mesh Opening

Mesh opening controls how animals interact with the fence.

Consider:

• Head size
• Hoof size
• Animal age
• Animal behavior
• Escape risk
• Predator pressure
• Wildlife passage requirements

Smaller Mesh

Generally provides greater containment for smaller animals.

Potential advantages:

• Reduced openings
• Better containment
• Less opportunity for animals to pass through

Potential trade-offs:

• More wire
• Higher material weight
• Potentially higher cost

Larger Mesh

May be suitable for larger animals or applications where smaller openings are unnecessary.

The goal is not to select the smallest available mesh.

Select an opening appropriate for the animal and application.

4. Select Fence Height

Fence height should be considered together with mesh opening.

Factors include:

• Animal species
• Animal behavior
• Jumping or climbing ability
• Terrain
• Fence purpose
• Local requirements

For livestock applications, typical fence heights can vary significantly by species and project.

Wildlife exclusion may require substantially taller fencing.

Published specifications should be treated as application- and location-specific requirements, not universal rules.

5. Select the Wire

Wire specification includes more than diameter.

Consider:

Wire Diameter

Affects:

• Material quantity
• Handling
• Physical strength
• Fence weight

Tensile Strength

Particularly important for high-tensile fence systems.

Wire Configuration

Evaluate:

• Line wire
• Stay wire
• Horizontal wire arrangement
• Vertical stay spacing

The final specification should describe the wire construction clearly.

6. Choose the Knot Construction

Two major woven wire constructions are:

Hinge Joint

The vertical and horizontal wires are mechanically wrapped around each other.

Common characteristics include:

• Flexible joint
• Traditional agricultural use
• Wide range of configurations

Fixed Knot

The vertical stay wire is secured to the horizontal line wire with a separate locking wrap.

Common characteristics include:

• Stronger resistance to wire movement
• Consistent mesh geometry
• Common use in high-tensile and demanding applications

The choice should depend on:

• Application
• Animal pressure
• Wire strength
• Fence height
• Terrain
• Installation system

Fixed knot is not automatically better than hinge joint.

It is a different construction intended for different performance requirements.

7. Select the Coating

For outdoor woven wire fence, corrosion protection is an important consideration.

Common options include:

Galvanized

Provides zinc-based corrosion protection and is widely used in agricultural fencing.

Zinc-Aluminum Alloy Coated

Zinc-aluminum coatings can provide enhanced corrosion resistance compared with conventional zinc coatings, depending on the coating system and coating level.

The selection should consider:

• Climate
• Moisture
• Soil exposure
• Agricultural environment
• Expected service conditions
• Required service life

Do not evaluate coating type separately from the coating specification.

8. Consider Installation Conditions

A fence specification cannot be separated completely from the installation environment.

Evaluate:

• Soil conditions
• Terrain
• Fence length
• Corners
• Gates
• End assemblies
• Line posts
• Bracing
• Tensioning requirements

A high-performance fence fabric can still perform poorly if the supporting structure is inadequate.

Conventional vs High-Tensile Woven Wire

One of the most important decisions is whether the application requires conventional or high-tensile construction.

Factor	Conventional Woven Wire	High-Tensile Woven Wire
Wire strength	Generally lower	Higher
Fence weight	Often higher	Can be lower for equivalent strength
Tensioning	Less demanding	Requires controlled tension
Installation	Generally simpler	Requires appropriate components
Long runs	Suitable	Particularly advantageous
Structural requirements	Moderate	More demanding

High-tensile systems require appropriate posts, bracing, connections, and tensioning.

Therefore:

High tensile is a complete fence system, not simply a stronger wire.

Fixed Knot vs Hinge Joint

Factor	Fixed Knot	Hinge Joint
Joint construction	Locked knot	Wrapped hinge
Wire movement	More restricted	More flexible
Mesh stability	High	Flexible
High-tensile applications	Common	Also available depending on product
Agricultural use	Common	Very common
Selection priority	Application-specific	Application-specific

Neither construction should be selected solely based on the knot name.

Evaluate the complete fence specification.

How the Factors Work Together

The most important point is that these variables are interconnected.

For example:

Small livestock

→ smaller mesh opening
→ appropriate fence height
→ suitable wire strength
→ appropriate knot
→ suitable posts and fastening

While:

Deer exclusion

→ greater fence height
→ appropriate mesh
→ secure lower edge
→ suitable wire construction
→ carefully designed gates and corners

The final product should therefore be treated as a system configuration.

Woven Wire Fence Selection Checklist

Before requesting a quotation or technical specification, define:

Application

☐ Livestock
☐ Wildlife exclusion
☐ Wildlife containment
☐ Agricultural / property boundary
☐ Other

Animal / Target Species

☐ Cattle
☐ Sheep
☐ Goats
☐ Horses
☐ Swine
☐ Deer / wildlife
☐ Mixed

Fence Construction

☐ Hinge joint
☐ Fixed knot
☐ Conventional
☐ High tensile

Mesh

☐ Fence height
☐ Mesh opening
☐ Horizontal wire spacing
☐ Vertical stay spacing

Wire

☐ Wire diameter
☐ Tensile strength
☐ Wire material

Coating

☐ Galvanized
☐ Zinc-aluminum alloy coated
☐ Other specified coating

Installation

☐ Post type
☐ Post spacing
☐ Corner / end assemblies
☐ Bracing
☐ Gates
☐ Terrain / soil conditions

Common Buying Mistakes

1. Buying by Height Only

Two fences with the same height can have completely different performance.

2. Comparing Wire Diameter Only

Diameter does not fully describe tensile performance or fence construction.

3. Ignoring Mesh Opening

A strong fence with an unsuitable opening may still fail its containment objective.

4. Treating All Fixed Knot Fences as the Same

Fixed knot describes the joint construction, not the complete specification.

5. Treating All Galvanized Fences as the Same

Coating level and coating specification also matter.

6. Choosing the Cheapest Specification

Initial price does not represent the entire cost of ownership.

Consider:

Material + Installation + Maintenance + Expected Service Life

7. Ignoring the Installation System

Posts, braces, fasteners, gates, and tensioning components are part of the finished fence system.

How to Compare Woven Wire Fence Quotations

When comparing suppliers, request the complete specification rather than only a product name.

At minimum, compare:

Specification	Supplier A	Supplier B
Fence height
Mesh opening
Wire diameter
Wire tensile strength
Knot type
Horizontal wire count
Vertical stay spacing
Coating type
Coating level
Roll length
Weight / roll
Packaging
Installation accessories

This makes quotations much easier to compare on a like-for-like basis.

When to Choose Fixed Knot

Consider fixed knot when the project requires:

• High-tensile construction
• Stable mesh geometry
• Long fence runs
• Higher resistance to animal pressure
• Demanding agricultural or wildlife applications

But confirm the complete system specification before making the decision.

When to Choose Hinge Joint

Hinge joint can be appropriate when:

• Flexible fence behavior is preferred
• Conventional agricultural fencing is suitable
• The application does not require a high-tensile fixed-knot system
• Cost and installation simplicity are important considerations

Again, application determines the appropriate choice.

Final Selection Framework

A simple way to approach woven wire fence selection is:

APPLICATION     ↓TARGET ANIMAL / SPECIES     ↓MESH OPENING     ↓FENCE HEIGHT     ↓WIRE DIAMETER & STRENGTH     ↓KNOT CONSTRUCTION     ↓COATING     ↓POSTS & BRACING     ↓INSTALLATION CONDITIONS     ↓FINAL SPECIFICATION

This sequence helps avoid selecting a fence based on one specification while overlooking the rest of the system.

Conclusion

Choosing woven wire fence is not simply a matter of selecting a height, gauge, or mesh opening.

A suitable specification should balance:

Application + Animal + Mesh + Height + Wire + Knot + Coating + Installation

The right fence is therefore not necessarily the heaviest, strongest, or most expensive option.

It is the configuration that provides the required performance for the intended application and environment.

For commercial projects, the final specification should be confirmed against project requirements, applicable standards, local conditions, and the supplier’s technical documentation.

FAQ

What is the best woven wire fence?

There is no universal “best” woven wire fence. The appropriate product depends on the application, animal or target species, mesh, height, wire construction, coating, and installation conditions.

Is fixed knot better than hinge joint?

Not necessarily. Fixed knot and hinge joint are different constructions with different performance characteristics. The appropriate choice depends on the application.

Is high-tensile woven wire better?

High-tensile woven wire can provide advantages in demanding applications and long fence runs, but it requires appropriate installation and supporting components.

What mesh opening should I choose?

The mesh opening should be selected according to the animal, age, containment requirements, and application. Smaller animals generally require closer containment.

How do I compare woven wire fence suppliers?

Request the complete technical specification, including height, mesh opening, wire diameter, tensile strength, knot construction, coating, roll length, and weight. Compare equivalent specifications rather than product names alone.