6 FAQs Homeowners & DIYers Have About Chicken Wire

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Chicken wire (also known as hex mesh) is traditionally fabricated from relatively thin steel wires. It's woven with large, hexagonal openings, typically at least an inch in diameter. As its name suggests, this type of metal mesh is often used for fencing in chickens, but that's far from its only purpose.

Homeowners and DIYers worldwide rely on chicken wire mesh for a broad range of residential applications&#;from gardening and agriculture to pet safety and pest control. Find answers to frequently asked questions about hex mesh below.

1) Is Chicken Wire Good for a Garden?

Not only is chicken wire suitable for gardening, but it's actually one of the best materials for fencing and pest control. This type of mesh can even help plants grow when used to create cloches, planter walls, trellises, tree guards, and garden arches.

Stainless steel, in particular, is a favorite among green thumbs. The inherently durable material is sturdy enough for garden fences and small greenhouses. It's also an eco-friendly, cruelty-free solution for keeping moles, mice, voles, snakes, gophers, and birds of prey from creeping, burrowing, slithering, or swooping into your crops.

2) What Is the Best Wire Mesh for Chicken Coops?

While the name can be misleading, standard chicken wire isn't actually the best option for chicken coops and runs. Coyotes, skunks, weasels, foxes, and snakes are stronger and savvier than you may think, so you'll want something a bit more robust.

Your best bet is heavy-duty hardware cloth, a type of plain-weave metal mesh made of thick wires with relatively small openings no greater than about a half-inch. It's not as malleable as traditional poultry netting, and is more resistant to bends, rips, tears, and manipulation. Put another way, diggers and creepy crawlers are no match for the incredibly sturdy material.

3) Is Chicken Wire Galvanized?

Chicken wire isn't always galvanized, but it can be. The stainless steel hardware cloth mentioned above is often welded into a rigid grid, then galvanized in molten zinc. This creates an ultra-resilient alloy coating, offering enhanced weather resistance and elevated strength.

4) How Long Does Chicken Wire Mesh Last Outside?

Regular poultry netting can last up to five years. However, it's more prone to corrosion and rust in moisture-rich soil and wet climates. Galvanized hardware cloth, on the other hand, can last as long as 20 years. The all-weather wire mesh sheets are exceedingly durable and resistant to extreme outdoor conditions.

5) Is Chicken Wire Rust-Proof?

Stainless steel chicken wire is inherently rust-resistant. When exposed to oxygen, the metal forms an invisible coating known as chromium oxide. However, the protective film can become damaged if exposed to high humidity or salinity, which can wear it down and eventually lead to rust.

Galvanized wire mesh products boast more rust resistance than plain stainless steel. The zinc-steel alloy acts as a shield, safeguarding the material from environmental corrosion, abrasion, and weather damage.

6) Is Chicken Wire Safe for Dogs and Cats?

If you have fur babies at home, you might be wondering if chicken wire is a safe material to create outdoor kennels, dog runs, or catios. Generally speaking, hex mesh is safe for pets. Having said that, everyday poultry netting may not be ideal for the same reason it's not the best option for chicken coops.

Since chicken wire is flexible, curious pets might be able to make their way through it. When the metal wires tear, it could pose a risk of pokes and scratches. For this reason, pet parents often opt for a sturdier product with thicker wires and smaller openings, like square-weave hardware cloth.

Chicken Wire Mesh Materials for Gardening, DIY & More

TWP Inc. has been a leading supplier of residential and commercial wire mesh since . Our woman-owned company proudly serves homeowners, gardeners, and landscapers all over the globe, offering affordable, customizable solutions for various residential needs.

With the right wire mesh or hardware cloth, you can have peace of mind knowing your flock is secure, your pets are safe, and your garden is protected. TWP Inc. has all the materials you need for your next outdoor DIY project.

We carry industrial-grade products in myriad weaves, sizes, and finishes and can even provide custom shapes and quantities. Order yours today, or get in touch with us with questions about our offerings.

Want to see your DIY project featured in TWP Inc.'s online gallery? Upload pictures to Instagram using the hashtag #TWPWireMesh.

Wire mesh is a go-to for home improvement projects and DIYers with a creative spirit&#;but not all materials are created equal.

TWP Inc. carries a substantial inventory of products, ranging from decorative mesh and malleable chicken wire to welded and galvanized hardware cloth. Learn more about each type of metal mesh and its uses below.

Decorative Wire Mesh

Good for: Cabinet door inserts, shelving, indoor partitions, fire screens, interior lighting

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Decorative wire mesh is available in various patterns and materials, including stainless steel, shiny brass, antique brass, weathered bronze, and nickel-plated alloys.

These aesthetically pleasing wire mesh panels are semi-transparent, allowing light to pass through while partially obstructing views. They're often used for cabinet and wet bar door inserts, backing for open shelves, and interior partitions, such as room dividers or partial walls. The visually appealing metal grids can also be fastened into fireplace screens, candle sconces, and homemade light fixtures. In fact, TWP Inc. is the go-to decorative mesh supplier for craftspeople on Etsy!

Not sure what style to choose? Order a decorative mesh sample kit from TWP Inc.

Chicken Wire

Good for: Gardening, composting, outdoor pest control, sculptures, light fixtures, crafting

Sometimes called poultry netting or hex mesh on account of the hexagonal openings, chicken wire is fabricated from somewhat thin stainless steel wires. This uniquely flexible material is easily formed into various shapes, making it a top choice for many DIY applications.

Gardeners often choose chicken wire for tomato cages, cloches, outdoor composts, and a wide variety of other garden and landscape projects. It's also used to keep birds, moles, gophers, rabbits, pets, and other curious animals out of gardens or raised beds. Some people use this type of wire mesh to create sculptures to ornament their landscaping, as well as light fixtures and numerous craft projects.

Have questions about chicken wire and its uses? Get answers to FAQs in our blog.

Galvanized Wire Mesh

Good for: Fencing, gabions, pest control, concrete reinforcement, landscaping

Galvanized hardware cloth is dipped in molten zinc or plated (electro-galvanizing) to enhance its strength with a protective zinc coating. Ideal for outdoor applications, the steel-zinc alloy is exceedingly sturdy, waterproof, and resistant to extreme climates.

These heavy-duty metal mesh screens are often used for yard fences and gates, along with railings for balconies and back porches. The material is also suitable for farm fencing and livestock enclosures&#;chicken coops, for example.

Additionally, galvanized mesh is an excellent choice for pest control in both gardens and homes, like soffit screens, gutter guards, and foundation vents. Other uses include driveway reinforcement and landscaping, such as gabions, trellises, fire pits, and outdoor partitions.

Wondering if galvanized mesh rusts? Get the answer to this question and more.

Welded Mesh Wire

Good for: Pest control, fencing, ventilation, automotive, chimney caps, spark arrestors, food drying

Unlike the woven variety, welded mesh is made by connecting stainless steel wires through resistance welding. The result is a rigid metal grid with exceptional resistance to rust, corrosion, and abrasion.

Homeowners use this type of wire mesh for pest control, particularly rodent-proofing houses, sheds, and gardens. Other applications include chimney caps, spark arrestors, ventilation for attics and crawl spaces, car or tractor grills, and food drying. Like its galvanized counterpart, welded metal mesh is sometimes used for property fences and porch railings.

Woven Wire Mesh vs. Welded Wire Mesh: What's Right for You? See our blog for insight.

Finely Woven Mesh Screens

Good for: Door and window screens, gardening, pest control

Finely woven hardware cloth with very small openings is commonly used to make window and door screens. The semi-transparent material offers some privacy while allowing light and air to pass through and protecting homes from flying insects and birds.

Gardeners sometimes use finely woven copper mesh to repel snails, slugs, and other pests from roots, seedlings, and sprouts.

Learn about the four best wire mesh materials for insect screens.

Mesh Wire, Panels & Screens for DIY Projects & More

TWP Inc. has an extensive inventory of prefabricated metal mesh, in stock and ready to ship. Our women-owned company has been a leading supplier of industrial-grade products and a reliable resource for homeowners and DIYers for over five decades.

Pro tip: We can custom cut your materials to help you save time and money on your next project.

Browse and shop our selection today or contact us to discuss your next project. We&#;re happy to help!

Do you want your projects featured in our photo gallery? Share your designs on Instagram using the hashtag #TWPWireMesh.

The company is the world’s best Galvanized Hexagonal Wire Mesh supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.