What is Hardware Cloth?

Understanding Hardware Cloth

Hardware cloth is a specific type of wire mesh. It is generally made from various types of steel, which can be regular, stainless, or galvanized.

There are many types of hardware cloth, but their defining characteristic is that they all feature a woven grid pattern that is uniform in nature.

Although, the shape of the grid, the thickness of the wire, and the spacing can differ greatly. Hardware cloth sizes differ based on the intended application.

Types of Hardware Cloth

There are three main types of hardware cloth, including welded wire mesh, chicken wire, and woven mesh, and there are several subcategories within, so let’s take a look.

1. Welded Wire Mesh

Welded wire mesh generally consists of strands of wire welded together at every intersection, which creates a strong and durable barrier, often used in fencing, for animal enclosures, and in industrial shelving. There are several types of welded wire mesh to consider.

Galvanized Welded Wire Mesh: Steel wire is welded together and coated with zinc, otherwise known as galvanization, which protects the wire from rusting. It;s often used for residential, agricultural, and industrial fencing.
PVC Welded Wire Mesh: This is a type of wire mesh that is generally also made with galvanized steel, but then further covered with a layer of PVC, which provides additional protection against damage and the elements. It’s ideal for various outdoor purposes, such as garden fences and animal enclosures.
Stainless Steel Welded Wire Mesh: This type of wire mesh is specifically made of stainless steel, allowing for great corrosion and temperature resistance. It;s often used for making drying trays and containers within the food processing industry.

2. Chicken Wire

Chicken wire usually takes the form of a hexagonal mesh, most often used for fencing for chicken and poultry enclosures, and for garden fencing. There are several types of chicken wire to consider.

Galvanized Chicken Wire: This is made of very thin and flexible steel wire that is galvanized and then woven into a hexagonal pattern. It’s cheap and durable, making it ideal for outdoor use, as it also has moderate rust resistance.
PVC Chicken Wire: This type of chicken wire is coated with a layer of PVC to provide increased protection against the elements. It is used for the same purposes as the above type of chicken wire, with an interesting note being that it is available in many colors.
Stainless Steel Chicken Wire: Here we have a type of chicken wire made of stainless steel. It provides better rust resistance than the types listed above, making it a prime choice for harsh environments.
Copper Hexagonal Wire Mesh: Unlike the other types listed above, copper hexagonal wire mesh is made of copper, which allows for great resistance to EM interference. Although it may be used for poultry enclosures, it is quite expensive and often reserved for applications relating to scientific research and marine environments.

3. Woven Mesh

Finally, we have woven mesh, which sees strands of wire woven under and over each other to create a mesh, with the most common applications being for screening, filtration, and as protective barriers. There are also several types of woven mesh to consider.

Galvanized Woven Mesh: This is a fine mesh made of woven galvanized steel wire. It’s corrosion resistant and most often used for agricultural screening, as insect netting, and for filtration purposes.
Copper Mesh: This fine type of mesh may include various types such as red copper, brass, and phosphor bronze. This type of mesh is hailed for its corrosion resistance and biofouling resistance, and its penchant to block EM interference. It’s most often used to shield computer rooms and for filtration purposes.
Stainless Steel Woven Mesh: Stainless steel mesh is ideal for its temperature and corrosion resistance. It’s suitable for many applications, such as insect netting, food and water filtration, and for architectural purposes. There are several grades, including 316, 316L, and ASTM 304, each of which have slightly differing properties.

Applications of Hardware Fabric

The benefits of hardware cloth mean that it can be used for many applications. Three of the main applications of hardware cloth include fencing, filtration, and various DIY needs.

Fencing

Hardware cloth can be used for a number of fencing-related purposes. First, hardware fabric is often used for both commercial and residential security. It’s durable enough to withstand being forcefully removed, and the pattern small enough to prevent people from sneaking thorough.

Besides security fencing, hardware cloth is also used to make enclosures for both livestock and agriculture. It works especially well for chicken and poultry enclosures, hence why a special type of hardware cloth is known as chicken wire. It helps keep the enclosures ventilated, the animals in, and the predators out.

In many farms and gardens, hardware cloth may be placed underground to prevent burrowing animals from ingesting a certain space.

Filtration

The second most common application of hardware fabric is for filtration. First and foremost, as far as industrial settings are concerned, hardware cloth is often used to create screens and filters to separate liquids, solids, and gasses from each other. Different mesh sizes work best for various filtration purposes.

Speaking of industrial applications, as far as the food industry is concerned, hardware cloth, particularly the stainless steel variety, is often used for sifting and straining foods and liquids, particularly for things like spices and grains.

This type of mesh may also be used for oil strainers, air filters, and for other automotive components. In terms of filtration, different hardware cloth sizes and gauges determine the type of filtration the cloth in question is best suited for.

DIY

There are also plenty of DIY applications of hardware cloth, things that you can use it for around the house. It’s great for making your own chicken coops and livestock enclosures, as well as for keeping pests out of your garden, and even for use as trellises for tomato plants.

Speaking of pests, it can also be used for making screen doors and windows more insect-proof.

Many people also use hardware fabric to fix holes in drywall, to reinforce concrete walls, and as a base layer for tiles, such as for a bathroom tile installation. Hardware cloth is also useful for many arts and crafts. It’s often used to start plaster pieces, for sculpting, and even for jewelry production.

Selecting the Right Manufacturer

Seeing as there as so many options to choose from as far as hardware cloth is concerned, with so many practical applications, finding the right manufacturer is very important for a number of reasons, including the following:

A good manufacturer will work with you to understand the needs and goals of your project, so you can select the best type of hardware mesh for your needs. They should work hand-in-hand with you to find the best option for your project. They should be more than just retailers alone, and instead offer guidance and support.
A good hardware cloth manufacturer will always stand behind their products in the form of quality control and high standards. Don’t pick a manufacturer that doesn’t provide some kind of quality assurance, as some inferior types of wire mesh may not hold up for your purposes.
The right manufacturer will also know the main differences, and the benefits and drawbacks, of all of the different types of hardware cloth, thus helping you make the best selection for the project at hand. The right manufacturer may even allow you to make custom designs based on specific goals.

Installation and Maintenance

Installing and maintaining hardware cloth properly is very important, so let’s quickly discuss how to do both, particularly in relation to a fence.

How to Install Hardware Cloth: Step-by-Step

Here are basic step-by-step instructions on how to install hardware cloth the right way.

Properly plan for the project by measuring the area first, and then make a plan for the layout. Make sure to choose the right kind of hardware cloth for your fencing purpose.
Remove any and all debris from the fence line. If you are burying the hardware cloth, dig a long trench up to a foot in depth along the perimeter.
Although hardware cloth is great, it cannot stand on its own, so you’ll need to install metal or wooden fence posts first, generally spaced out at 6 to 10 feet.
With the help of someone else, unroll the hardware fabric along the perimeter.
Make sure to use wire ties for metal posts and staples for wooden posts. You’ll want to secure the cloth to the posts every six inches along the vertical axis.

Hardware Fabric Maintenance Tips

As long as you follow the few maintenance tips outlined here, keeping your hardware cloth in good shape for many years to come should be easy.

Inspect the fence regularly for damage and signs of wear and tear. This is especially important after severe weather events.
If you find any breaks in the fence, make sure to fix them as quickly as possible. More often than not, special patches can be used to make small repairs.
You need to clean the hardware cloth fence regularly, especially vegetation. This helps keep it clean, in one piece, and aesthetically appealing.
If your mesh is not stainless steel, it may rust, which means that remaining vigilant and keeping an eye out for rust is essential.

Final Thoughts on Hardware Cloth

Whether you need chicken wire to keep your poultry in one place, a mesh screen for filtration, a fence for your garden, or a material for arts and crafts, hardware cloth is always a good option to consider.

That said, make sure to find the right manufacturer, one like QB Metal, and to establish a partnership with them, as they’ll be able to guide you through the process from A to Z, ensuring your overall success no matter the project.