A wire mesh fence is a fairly inexpensive way to demarcate an area of any size for defense and security purposes. Unlike fully enclosed fences, the undulating design that forms the meshes of the wire mesh allows you to see inside the fence while maintaining its function as a barrier against unauthorized access. In this article you will find instructions for making one.
Steps
Part 1 of 11: Before Installation
Step 1. Obtain any necessary permissions
Local government may have specific rules governing the placement, type and height of fences according to building and town planning laws.
Step 2. Identify how the boundaries of your property are arranged
This type of information can be found in the land and / or buildings cadastre, or you can ask a technician or real estate agent who should have the floor plans of the area available, or you can otherwise hire an expert.
Step 3. Check with your local utility company to find out where cables and pipes go
You don't want to accidentally break them while digging holes to plant posts !?
Step 4. Check for any contracts or regulations with your neighbors regarding fences
Some condominium or neighborhood regulations, in addition to the provisions of local legislation, provide for specific rules regarding the height and style of the fences.
Part 2 of 11: Mark the Perimeter of the Fence
Step 1. Identify the boundaries that separate you from your neighbors
For post holes measure approximately 10cm inside the boundary line. This way you will prevent the concrete footings from invading your neighbors' property.
Step 2. Measure the total length of the fence you are planning
So you will know how many meters of net, and therefore how much hardware, you will need. Get information at your hardware store to find out how far to plant the poles and therefore how many poles you will need.
Step 3. Identify where to plant the poles
Mark the exact spot with stakes or spray paint. Consider that for each corner, for each side of any gate or entrance, and for the end of the fence you will need a terminal post.
Part 3 of 11: Install the End Posts
Step 1. First dig the holes for the end posts
The holes for the poles must be dug with a diameter of at least 3 times that of the pole and for a depth of about one third of the pole itself, considering an extra ten centimeters for the gravel. Tilt the sides so that the holes are wider at the bottom than at the top.
Step 2. Fill the holes with ten inches of gravel
Press it to form a firm foundation for the posts and concrete.
Step 3. Stand a pole in the center of its hole
Mark the ground level on the post using a marker or chalk. The height of the post above the sign should be equal to the height of the net plus 5 centimeters.
Step 4. Plumb the pole
With a carpenter's level or a plumb line put the pole perfectly vertical.
Step 5. Secure the pole in place
With the help of clamps and wooden wedges, support the pole in this position.
Step 6. Fill the hole with concrete
Pour the concrete around the pole, and possibly help yourself with a shovel. Level the surface with a trowel or a wooden batten, making the surface sloping from the pole outwards for the rainwater to drain.
Step 7. Repeat this process until all end posts have been assembled
Let the cement dry according to the manufacturer's directions.
Part 4 of 11: Marking where to mount the Perimeter Poles
Step 1. Thread a wire to connect the end posts
The wire must be taut, low and close to the ground, and placed outside the end posts.
Step 2. Mark the place to mount each perimeter post
Using a graph to determine the spacing between the posts, measure and mark the exact spot with a stake or spray paint.
Part 5 of 11: Install the Perimeter Posts
Step 1. Dig the holes for the perimeter posts
The perimeter posts should be 15cm wide and 45 to 60cm deep with sloped sides.
Step 2. For each perimeter pole repeat the same procedure followed for the end poles
Part 6 of 11: Attach the bands and caps to the posts
Step 1. Insert the tensioning straps on each pole by sliding them
They are used to hook the net to the posts. You should use a number of tension bands based on the height of the fence. For example for a 1.2 meter high fence you should use 3. For a 1.8 meter fence it would take 5, and so on.
The long, flat surface of the sash should face the outside of the fence
Step 2. Fit the relevant cap to the posts
The end cap must be mounted on the end poles, while the one with the ring must be mounted on the perimeter poles (to pass the top crossbar).
Step 3. Screw in all bolts and nuts, but not too tight
Leave some room for adjustments.
Part 7 of 11: Install the Top Rail
Step 1. Thread the top rail through the rings on the caps
Cut off the excess with a pipe cutter or hacksaw. If the crossbar is too short, make a splice using crosspieces with tongue and groove attachments.
Step 2. Insert the final part of the crossbar into the appropriate attachments found on the end post caps
It may be necessary to adjust the height of the caps to match that of the net leaving about five centimeters of space underneath.
Step 3. Tighten the bolts and nuts
After checking that the crossbar and plugs are properly seated and aligned, tighten all hardware.
Step 4. Fill the holes in the perimeter posts with dirt and press it as much as possible around the post and hole
Part 8 of 11: Hanging the Net
Step 1. Thread a tension post vertically through the leading edge of the net roll
This serves to stiffen it so that it can be easily attached to the posts and crossbar of the fence.
Step 2. Bolt the tension post to one of the end post tension bands
The net should overlap the crossbar by 3 to 4 centimeters and should remain 5 centimeters off the ground.
You will have to get someone to help you keep the net straight and on the starting post, and you will have to use a socket wrench to screw in the bolt
Step 3. Start unrolling the net
Keep it straight on the perimeter of the fence, leaving it slow as you go.
Step 4. Hook the net to the crossbar without tightening it
Use ties to hold it in place. Take enough length to hug all the space between two end posts.
Step 5. Add more sections together as needed
Using a single wire from a piece of net, splice two sections by passing this wire in a spiral between the two ends to be connected. With a second thread you can correctly align the "diamond" design.
Step 6. Cut off the excess mesh
With pliers, loosen the stitches at the top and bottom of the yarn where you want to separate the net. Pull the loose yarn out of the stitches until the two portions separate.
Part 9 of 11: Stretching the Meshes of the Net
Step 1. Tension the net with a wire mesh puller
This tension is necessary to prevent the net from sagging.
Step 2. Hook the net puller to one end of the net that is not hooked to the fence, a short distance from the last post
- Attach the net puller yoke to the tension post, and connect the other end to the final fence post.
- Pull the net with the net puller until the stitches move less than half a centimeter by pulling them by hand.
- If the stitches become deformed during this phase, roll them out until they are back in shape.
Step 3. Insert a second tension post on the side of the net near the net puller
With this you can hook the pulled net to the tensioning bands of the final pole.
Step 4. Finish the work with a tensioning post in the tensioning straps of the opposite end pole
Step 5. Eliminate the excess network produced by having it powered up
Part 10 of 11: Tying and Tightening the Net
Step 1. Tie the net to the crossbars and perimeter posts with aluminum wire
Make knots on the top crossbar every 60cm and on the perimeter posts every 30cm.
Part 11 of 11: Adding a Tension Wire (Optional)
Step 1. Insert a taut thread between the lower links
This wire prevents animals from pushing the net to slip under the fence.
Step 2. Secure the wire taut around the end posts
Pull the wire tightly and wrap it around itself near the posts.
Advice
- For quicker assembly use ready-to-set concrete.
- For more privacy with a wire mesh fence, insert thin slats of wood or plastic diagonally between the meshes. They can be found in different colors in most hardware and garden stores.
- The fence net can also be hung on wooden posts and crosspieces. In this case there will be no need to use caps for the posts or rings for the crossbeams.
- If the ground is sloping near the entrance, mount the gate poles in such a way as to accommodate the difference in height.
Warnings
- For safety reasons, mount the nuts facing the inside of the fence. So they will be more difficult to unscrew from the outside.
- The holes near the house or in any case near any type of construction should be dug by hand. Unmarked piping and other lines may pass close to the foundation.
