What is Wire Mesh? Common Questions Answered

Woven wire mesh is essentially a metal mesh screen. It comprises horizontal and vertical intersecting wires in a grid pattern. The individual wires can range in thickness, and the mesh openings vary in size, from small enough to filter particles to large enough for concrete patios.

To learn more about the basics of wire mesh, see the answers to frequently asked questions below.

How Is Wire Mesh Made and What Is It Made Of?

Wire mesh is made by weaving or welding intersecting metal wires into a grid. Most often, horizontal and vertical wires are woven together on large industrial looms to create a plain weave, or a classic grid pattern with uniform square openings. Wire mesh is the most common woven mesh construction technique. 

However, there's also hex mesh (aka chicken wire) with hexagonal openings, as well as decorative wire mesh variations used in architecture, interior design, or furniture. 

Wire mesh is available in various materials: 

• Stainless Steel: Durable and corrosion-resistant option ideal for industrial and food-grade uses

• Aluminum: Lightweight and rust-resistant

• Copper: Offers excellent conductivity, often used in electrical applications

• Brass & Bronze: Offer enhanced aesthetics and corrosion resistance

What Are the Uses of Woven Wire Mesh?

You can use wire mesh for filtration, ventilation, construction, fencing, landscaping, pest control, architecture, and interior design. Beyond commercial uses, such as construction and building, industrial, and agricultural uses, it also has residential applications for DIYers. 

Around the home, woven wire mesh has practical and creative uses:

• Protection & maintenance: Metal mesh supports chimney caps, fireplace screens, gutter guards, foundation vents, and soffit screens.

• Garden & outdoor: Wire mesh is ideal for raised-bed edging, plant support, and pest-control barriers.

• DIY & crafts: Woven wire mesh can also be used for cabinet door inserts, custom light fixtures, decorative panels, craft papermaking, and food drying racks.

What Is Galvanized Wire Mesh?

Galvanized wire mesh is a type of woven stainless steel mesh that has been coated with a layer of zinc to protect it against rust and corrosion. It is a very popular wire mesh option for its performance in humid or wet environments and its affordability. 

There are two galvanizing methods used on wire mesh:

• Hot-dip galvanizing: With this method, the wire is submerged in molten zinc to create a thicker, more durable coating. Hot-dip galvanized mesh is best for outdoor applications such as fencing, construction, and agriculture.

• Electrolytic galvanizing: Electro-galvanized or cold galvanized wire mesh is produced by applying zinc through an electroplating process. This process results in a thinner and smoother finish, ideal for light-duty or indoor use.

What Are the Different Types of Mesh?

Wire mesh can be woven from various metals, including stainless steel, copper, bronze, brass, aluminum, and more. Steel mesh screens are available in two basic types of metal alloys, T-304 and T-316.

The material can also vary in terms of wire thickness (diameter), opening size, and mesh count (the number of openings per square inch). Some wire mesh is malleable and easy to cut, while other types are rigid. In addition to size and quantity, these differences also influence cost and application.

What’s the Difference Between Woven & Welded Wire Mesh?

Woven wire mesh is created on an industrial loom that connects horizontal and vertical wires in a one-over, one-under weave pattern. The interlacing creates a flexible mesh with some give, making it easier to cut, shape, and conform. 

Manufacturers fine-tune strength, appearance, and filtration capabilities by adjusting the wire diameter, material, and weave pattern. Woven wire mesh is a go-to for a variety of industries and DIY projects. It’s commonly used for chimney caps, craft papermaking, foundation vents, and food drying.

Welded wire mesh is created by fusing intersecting wires using resistance welding. In resistance welding, an electric current heats the contact points while under pressure to bond them permanently. This process creates a sturdy grid with openings that won’t shift or distort under load. 

Welded stainless steel mesh is exceptionally strong, long-lasting, and resilient in various outdoor environments. It's often used in the construction and building sectors, but is also the perfect material for DIYers looking to build durable fencing, rodent-proof their gardens and home, and more.

Which Is Better: Galvanized or Welded Mesh?

Neither type of wire mesh is universally better. It depends on the application at hand. The primary difference is flexibility vs. rigidity.

Galvanized hardware cloth is highly rust- and corrosion-resistant but pliable enough to bend or shape by hand or with pliers. This flexibility makes galvanized mesh better suited to applications that require molding it into a specific shape, such as chicken coops, greenhouses, and tomato plant cages.

Welded wire mesh is much stronger and more rigid. It maintains its shape under heavy loads or pressure, making it ideal for fencing, concrete reinforcement, automotive grilles, etc.

What Mesh Size Do I Need for My Project?

The mesh size you will need for your project depends on the specific application. Mesh size refers to the number of openings per square inch of a wire screen. The higher the number, the finer the mesh. Therefore, the right size will vary based on what you’re trying to filter, contain, or keep out. 

Contact us, and we can help you determine the right mesh size for your needs.

What Is the Difference Between Hardware Cloth and Wire Mesh?

Hardware cloth is actually a type of wire mesh. Wire mesh is a broad term that typically is used for any grid-like material made from interlaced or welded metal wires. Hardware cloth is a welded or woven metal mesh with small, uniform openings, coated in zinc for rust and corrosion resistance. 

Hardware cloth is commonly used for pest control, animal enclosures, and garden projects because of its small openings and flexibility. In contrast, heavier wire mesh is more suitable for fencing and concrete reinforcement.  

Which Wire Mesh Material Is Best for Outdoor Use?

Stainless steel and galvanized steel are the best wire mesh materials for outdoor use. 

Stainless steel is long-lasting, durable, and corrosion-resistant, making it ideal for harsh weather, coastal environments, and high-moisture areas. It costs a little more upfront, but requires little to no maintenance and doesn’t rust. 

Galvanized steel is coated in zinc, providing rust and corrosion resistance at a lower price point than stainless steel. It is a practical choice for many outdoor applications, including fencing, garden projects, and animal enclosures. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the zinc coating can wear down over time. 

Industry Leading Wire Mesh Supplier Since 1969

TWP Inc. has a robust selection of wire mesh in stock and ready to ship. An industry-leading supplier since 1969, our family-owned company is a reliable resource for businesses, farmers, and homeowners alike.

Order your metal mesh products today, or get in touch with us to request a quote on a custom size or quantity.

Want your DIY wire mesh project featured in our photo gallery? Share your designs on Instagram with the hashtag #TWPWireMesh.