How to Build a Mesh Fence

You can purchase all materials at farm supply stores such as Tractor Supply Company or home improvement stores such as Home Depot.

Supplies

  1. Posts. You can choose metal T-posts or wooden posts. You can get wooden posts cut to specifications. If you tell a store worker the dimensions of your fence, they can suggest how many posts you will need. Generally you will place posts about 7-10 feet apart.
  2. Mesh cloth. It comes in rolls, in different strengths. Your fence will be stronger if you get a strong mesh (such as the welded wire below.)
  3. Baling wire or metal ties to attach the mesh to the posts. Baling wire comes in a roll and can be cut into pieces. A heavy duty staple gun can also be used to attach mesh fencing to wooden posts.

  4. Concrete if setting wooden posts. Metal T-posts are also stronger if set in concrete. Ask store workers to advise you on how many bags to get for the type of posts you are using. Usually one 40-lb bag of concrete can be used to set two posts.
  5. Shovel or post hole digger if setting posts in concrete.

 

 Thin mesh and T-post

Stong mesh fencing

Instructions

  • Determine where you want your fence to go. You can push wooden stakes into the ground where you plan to have the corners of your fence, and tie string from stake to stake. You can then place your posts along the string.
  • Pound T-posts into the ground with a hammer or set them into the ground with concrete. Wooden posts should be set in concrete.
  • At least 1.5 feet of the post should be underground. T-posts should be inserted into the ground until the "V" that extends out from the post is covered.
  • The closer you place the posts to each other, the stronger the fence will be. For instance, if the posts were 15 feet apart the fencing would sag in the middle.

Wood posts were set in the corners, and metal T-posts were used
between corner posts. This fence has kept many 50-70 pound dogs inside.

  • Attach the mesh to T-posts with wire ties or baling wire. Attach the mesh at the top of the post, in the middle of the post, and at the bottom of the post.
  • Fencing can be attached to wooden posts with wire or with a heavy-duty staple gun.

Two wire ties are used to attach the mesh to the top of the T-post.

  • A gate will work best if attached to a post set in concrete. You can purchase gates at home improvement stores. You can also make a gate out of wood and mesh fencing.

This gate was made with a wooden frame. Mesh fencing was stapled to the frame. Decorative finials were screwed on top of the posts to make it look more attractive.
 


 

The wooden gate is attached to the wood post with a simple door hinge. A slide lock was also added to help keep the fence shut. A bike lock can also be used to keep the gate firmly shut.