Wire Mesh for Residential Use

Wire mesh is most easily noticeable in window screens and screen doors, but it can also show up in many other ways around the home. Wire mesh is used in fencing, room dividers, and shelving; it can also be found behind the scenes in ceilings, walls, and even in plumbing. Homeowners looking to do a little renovating may find that wire mesh will play a role in many scenarios; knowing the different varieties and types of wire mesh that are available is a good idea, as it is such a commonly used material.

Types of Wire Mesh
Woven wire mesh with very small openings is often called wire cloth. It is the most popular variety of wire mesh because it is widely used in screens for windows and doors. Wire cloth comes in a number of different opening sizes. If you're looking to create airflow, but keep small bugs out, wire cloth is for you; it is the perfect material to use for enclosing a porch or patio.

Welded wire mesh is used for more heavy-duty jobs. In this kind of mesh, the wires are welded together at each cross section, which makes for a very sturdy product. Heavier gauges are often used in commercial and industrial settings to create barriers or for security. Around the house, however, it is most often found in fencing.

Knit wire is commonly referred to as chicken wire. Though its original purpose was to provide an inexpensive barrier for livestock, chicken wire has found its way into many interesting and imaginative applications. Closely related to knit wire is the chain link fence (also considered a mesh). Chain link fencing is very inexpensive, very durable, and is used all over the place where a low-cost, highly effective barrier is needed in a hurry.

Wire Mesh Benefits
Wire mesh is so common because it is the least expensive and most effective tool for so many applications. Its versatility and wide array of opening sizes makes it perfect for many jobs both around the home and in commercial scenarios.

Easy to install and work with, wire mesh is a quick solution for many pest problems, both large and small. Its durability, however, will ensure that this solution, while speedy, is not shoddy. For outdoor use, wire mesh comes galvanized to reduce corrosion (and, in turn, increase its life expectancy).

In addition to opening size, material make up, and construction techniques, wire mesh can also be found in various styles and designs. If you want a different look than the standard square opening, there are many "decorative" meshes available that feature more visually interesting appearances.

Perforated Metal
In some cases, perforated metal can be used as an alternative to wire mesh. Perforated metal is a continuous metal sheet that contains evenly spaces holes. It is often thicker and more rigid than a heavy gauge wire mesh and is generally thought of as an industrial, rather than a residential, material.