There are many things to consider when buying wire mesh. In addition to the type of material, overall thickness, and opening size, you'll want to think about the wire gauge.
What does this mean and why does it matter? Read on to find out.
What Is a Gauge in Wire Mesh?
Wire mesh gauge is essentially the thickness of the wire, or the wire diameter. It's usually measured in inches.
A Higher Number Equals a Thicker Wire Diameter
A higher gauge number indicates a thicker wire diameter. For instance, stainless steel mesh with a gauge of 0.47 inches is substantially thicker than those with a gauge of 0.0021 inches.
Thicker Wire Gauge: What to Consider
In addition to a thicker wire diameter, a thicker gauge typically means the wire mesh weave will have a wider opening size (the distance between each wire). These materials are more often used for fencing, partitions, landscaping, and pest control, whereas a finer weave is suitable for filtering or insect screens.
Thicker wires are sturdier, which makes them a great choice for keeping pets or livestock in and predators out. However, they can also be harder to cut. Heavy-duty tin snips or bolt cutters can work, but if you don’t have the tools on hand, consider ordering wire mesh that’s already cut to size.
A Lower Number Equals a Thinner Wire Diameter
A lower gauge number indicates a thinner wire diameter. For example, stainless steel metal wires with a gauge of 0.0014 inches are significantly thinner than those with a gauge of 0.02 inches.
Thinner Wire Gauge: What to Consider
Thinner wire diameters often mean the mesh opening size is much smaller, resulting in a super-fine weave. This type of wire mesh is suitable for filtering, straining, sifting, and insect screens.
It's extremely flexible, easy to manipulate, and can be cut using scissors. That said, a thinner wire diameter is also not as durable as thicker gauges, so it's not the best choice for pest control, with the exception of bug screens for windows and doors.
Medium-Gauge Wire Mesh
Medium-gauge wire mesh is right in the middle in terms of durability and malleability. For instance, chicken wire, also called hex mesh or poultry netting, is relatively easy to cut with tin snips and can be manipulated into various shapes and configurations.
For a comprehensive breakdown of the different sizes, see our Wire Mesh Gauge Table.
Shop Wire Mesh in a Variety of Sizes & Gauges
Whether you're looking for industrial-grade wire mesh for outdoor projects or decorative woven metal for DIY designs, you'll find it here.
We carry wire mesh with a wide range of gauges, opening sizes, and weaves. If you don't see the exact dimensions you need, our experienced team can laser cut rolls or panels to any size. Contact us for a free estimate on a custom order!
TWP Inc. has been an industry-leading resource for high-quality materials for over 50 years, and you can count on a substantial selection of in-stock products with various specifications.
To have your project featured in our gallery, upload photos to Instagram and tag them with #TWPWireMesh.
With high quality products and considerate service, we will work together with you to enhance your business and improve the efficiency. Please don't hesitate to contact us to get more details of pvc coated wire mesh, temporary mesh fence, steel wire mesh.