Stretching the fence net
Stretching the fence net: practical tips
Are you planning to install a galvanized mesh on your plot? Or maybe you have a worn out, drooping mesh and you are looking for a way to restore its original shape and aesthetic appearance? There are some simple, proven methods for stringing tension wire in old and new woven wire mesh. Here are some practical assembly tips and instructions.
Why should you stretch the fence mesh?
Let’s start with a seemingly trivial question: do you need to stretch fencing nets and for what purpose? Some say that the fence once erected requires no maintenance, while others routinely inspect and tighten the net every few years. This simple procedure has logical justification – the fence should be functional, safe and neat. The falling, unstable mesh is damaged, deformed and corroded faster. It is also a showcase of your property, so you should ensure that it maintains its impeccable appearance as long as possible.
How to stretch the net? Some proven tips
If you want to adjust an old fence mesh, remember a few basic rules. Before you start maintenance work, be sure to check the technical condition of your fence. It may turn out that the wires are already heavily corroded and deformed. A net that has not been stretched for many years is sometimes simply useless. It is stiff and brittle – better buy a new material instead of wasting time repairing the damaged mesh.
Are you building a new mesh fence? Make sure to carefully fasten the corner and center posts. Patiently wait for the concrete to set. In the meantime, stock up on all necessary tensioning accessories: tensioners, wires, grommets, clamps, screws and hand tools – pliers, wire cutters and wrenches. Calculate exactly how much tension wire you need: take into account that in 1.5 m high fences it should be at the top, middle and bottom of the mesh.
Which tension wire for the mesh?
The quality of the tension wire depends to a large extent on whether the mesh will retain its shape for the next several seasons. Polish producers give you a choice of various types of wires:
– hot-dip galvanized (most often they have a diameter of: 2.5 mm, 2.8 mm, 3 mm, 3.5 mm, 4 mm – choose the wire thickness taking into account the height of the fence, heavier and more massive structures requiring a thicker support , and vice versa – for light, low fences, you can use thinner wires),
– galvanized and PVC coated (the diameter is given in two values: the first is the diameter of the wire itself, and the second – the total thickness of the wire with the PVC layer: you can choose, among others, wires with a diameter of 2 mm / 3 mm, 2.5 mm / 3 , 6mm, 2.8mm / 3.8mm).
When choosing a tension wire for your fence, pay attention to the fact that it should be visually aligned with the mesh. In stationary and online stores, you can easily find various color variants of the tension wires: gray (galvanized), graphite, green, black and brown.
How to stretch a tension wire? Step by step instruction
Have you completed all the necessary elements for tensioning the net? So you can proceed to further work and attach the tension wire to the mesh. The assembly of this element is relatively easy, provided you have a helper at your disposal who will take care of the tension on the other end of the net.
How to stretch the fence wire? Here is the instruction in a few simple steps:
- On each starting and corner post, install the tensioners on the clamps (3 tensioners should be placed on one 1.5m post, 2 upper, lower and middle tensioners on the corner posts).
- First thread the tension wire through the lowest row of mesh meshes. Place the ends of the wire in the hole in the tensioner and thread them so that they wrap around the shaft inside the tensioner.
- Use the spanner to adjust the tension of the wire – do not tighten it to the fullest until you have finished assembling the middle and top wire.
- Grasp the wire with the grommets on the middle posts (do not tighten the screws completely).
- Repeat steps 3 and 4 for the middle and top sections of the fence.
- Check the tension of the net and then tighten all bolts until the net is stiff.
Tightening the old mesh
How can you stretch the wire over an existing, long-established mesh? If you have tensioners installed on the posts – the matter is simple, just tighten the bolt and it’s ready. You may need to additionally replace the wire if you find that it has become brittle and corroded.
In the past, galvanized mesh fences were often used with provisional fasteners, and instead of flat bars, clamps and tensioners, ordinary wire was used, which fastened the mesh together with the posts. If you undertake the maintenance of this type of fence and want it to look aesthetically pleasing, first unhook the mesh and install the clamps with stretchers on the starting and middle posts. Then catch the vertical ends of the net in flat bars, attach them to the posts and only after this is done you can thread the tension wires and tighten the net again.