What Is Hardware Cloth and How Is It Used in Fencing?

If you’ve been browsing the wire mesh options online, chances are you’ve seen the term hardware cloth at least a couple of times.

If you’re wondering what hardware cloth is and how it’s used in fencing, you’re in the right place. Here’s what you need to know.

What Is Hardware Cloth?

Hardware cloth is a light gauge, small aperture type of welded wire mesh.

That means that it has smaller openings than typical welded wire mesh, and it’s usually made from thinner wire than typical welded wire mesh that might be used for security fencing and similar.

Like most types of fencing, there are a large variety of different hardware cloth specifications with different aperture sizes, made from various types of wire and in various heights and roll lengths. Most hardware cloth is galvanized, but you can also get versions that are galvanized and PVC coated in black, green, and sometimes other colors.

How Can You Use Hardware Cloth In Fencing?

Hardware cloth is a versatile type of mesh, and it can be used in many different fencing applications, such as:

Attached to post and rail or ranch rail fence systems to make them pet and kid-friendly options.
Used with wood posts or t-sections as fencing for gardens and similar.
Tied to the bottom of open metal fence systems like ornamental fence or palisade fence to keep smaller dogs in yards.
Set into frames for a variety of applications.
Used to build chicken coops, rabbit hutches, and other small animal cages and enclosures.

There are many other ways you can use hardware cloth to build and enhance fencing and enclosures, and these are just a few examples.

What Are the Benefits of Hardware Cloth?

Hardware cloth is an affordable type of mesh that is perfect for many residential and even agricultural applications.

It’s usually a little more robust than typical hexagonal netting types of chicken wire and is a little more rigid too. Because it’s also galvanized and sometimes PVC coated, it’s also corrosion resistant.

Because hardware cloth is often sold in longer rolls – sometimes up to 100 linear feet – it is also suitable for larger-scale projects.