Wire mesh fences

The durability of the wire mesh fences of De Sutter Naturally is the result of a combination of factors: superior materials, a careful production process and professional installation. These elements work together to deliver a product that lasts exceptionally long.

A core aspect of the durability is the quality of the wire mesh used. As standard a wire thickness of 2.5 mm is used, which is considerably thicker than the 1.8 mm often found with other brands. This extra thickness results not only in greater strength and a higher tension capacity, but also ensures that the fence sags less quickly over time. Furthermore the mesh is durably galvanised, a process that provides effective protection against corrosion and thus significantly extends the lifespan. An additional quality guarantee is that De Sutter Naturally produces the wire mesh completely themselves, ensuring excellent and consistent quality.

The lifespan of the wire mesh itself is remarkable; the material often outlives even the posts to which it is attached. When the posts — which depending on type (for example impregnated wood with a lifespan of at least 20 years, or Robinia hardwood with a lifespan of 25 years and more) — need replacement, the wire mesh can often be perfectly reused. This not only underlines the long lifespan of the mesh, but also offers economic and ecological advantages through less material waste and lower replacement costs in the long term.

Professional installation is another crucial factor that contributes to durability. De Sutter Naturally vibrates the posts into the ground with a special machine, making them rock-solid without the need for excavation or the use of stabilisé. This technique, combined with correctly tensioning the wire over the entire length, prevents sagging and provides a structurally sound fence that endures for years. This synergy between high-quality material, controlled production and expert installation results in a product with a lower total cost of ownership and a more sustainable solution over decades, which aligns with the company’s focus on sustainability and ecology.

Animal safety is central to the design and installation of De Sutter Naturally’s wire mesh fences. This is achieved by a combination of adapted mesh-sizes, specific knot types, the strength of the material and professional installation.

An important safety feature is the mesh-size. As standard narrow meshes of 8 cm and 15 cm wide are provided at the bottom of the fence. These dimensions are specifically chosen to prevent animals, in particular small livestock or younger animals, from getting their legs entangled. There is also flexibility in mesh distribution: it is possible to choose smaller meshes at the bottom for maximum safety, and larger meshes at the top, which can offer aesthetic benefits and reduce costs without compromising safety.

The choice of knot type also contributes to safety and functionality. De Sutter Naturally offers among others:

• The X-knot: This is a movable knot where the vertical wire can shift. This type of knot is particularly interesting for animals such as sheep and goats, which tend to push their heads through the fence, because it offers some flexibility and reduces the chance of getting stuck. Various configurations are available, tailored to different species such as donkeys, goats, dogs and deer.
• The fixed knot: This knot is impenetrable and offers maximum rigidity. It is typically applied to wide meshes of 15 cm and is therefore mainly suitable for enclosures for larger animals.

The wire used with a standard thickness of 2.5 mm is inherently strong and resistant to the forces animals can exert on the fence. This minimises the risk of breakage or deformation that could lead to unsafe situations.

Finally, professional installation is essential. A correctly and tightly tensioned wire mesh prevents sagging. A sagging fence can create openings where animals can still get entangled or slip through. Expert installation ensures the fence retains its shape and function, which directly contributes to the safety of the animals. This proactive and adaptive approach, which takes animal behaviour and physiology into account, positions De Sutter Naturally as a partner in animal welfare, resulting in peace of mind for the owner.

De Sutter Naturally’s wire mesh fences are extremely versatile and provide solutions for a wide range of animals and applications. This flexibility arises from the ability to adapt mesh-sizes, heights and knot types to specific needs.

The fences are suitable for various animal species, including:

• Small livestock: such as sheep, goats, pigs, alpacas, ponies and donkeys.
• Poultry: specific solutions are available to keep chickens and other fowl safe.
• Dogs: both for keeping dogs in and for marking out, for example, kennels.
• Deer: for keeping deer or protecting areas against deer.

In addition, the wire mesh fences are effective for protection against wild animals:

• Wild boar: robust constructions that resist the strength of wild boar.
• Wolves: there are specific wolf-deterring fences available, such as the “Wire Mesh X-knot 192/8”, which are designed to protect grazing animals from wolves.

For general applications the fences can be used for:

• Property demarcation: to clearly mark boundaries for, for example, a forest or an entire estate.
• Varying heights: depending on the application heights from 1 meter to 1.92 meters are available.

It is also possible to make combinations, for example a wooden horse fence combined with sheep mesh, ideal when horses and sheep graze together in a pasture. Given the diversity of possibilities it is advisable to seek advice from the specialists at De Sutter Naturally to choose the most suitable wire mesh fence for your specific purpose. This expertise, which ranges from pet containment to addressing challenges with wild animals, demonstrates a deep understanding of diverse containment and exclusion needs.

The table below gives an indicative overview of some applications:

Table 1: Recommended Wire Mesh Applications

The professional installation of a wire mesh fence by De Sutter Naturally is a specialised process that is crucial for the durability, safety and low-maintenance character of the barrier. It goes beyond simply driving posts into the ground and stretching wire; it requires specific techniques and expertise.

A distinguishing feature of the installation method is the use of a special machine to vibrate the posts into the ground. This technique ensures the posts become rock-solid without significant soil displacement. Unlike traditional methods there is no excavation or the use of stabilisé (concrete mix) necessary to anchor the posts. This results in a very stable base for the fence, which is better able to withstand the forces exerted on it. The posts themselves must of course be thick enough to resist the tension of the mesh; recommended diameters are at least 10 to 12 cm for round posts and 10x10 cm for square posts.

Tensioning the wire mesh is another critical step. The wire must be tensioned correctly in one go over the full length, taking into account the necessary allowance for temperature differences so that the wire does not hang too loosely or become too tight with expansion or contraction. This requires the necessary expertise and experience to achieve the correct tension.

The importance of this professional approach cannot be overstated:

• Prevents sagging: Correctly placed posts and well-tensioned wire ensure the fence does not sag in the long term.
• Essential for safety: A sagging wire increases the risk that animals get entangled with their hooves or legs, which can lead to serious injuries
• Provides a low-maintenance solution: A professionally installed fence retains its integrity and therefore requires little to no maintenance on the mesh itself.
• Guarantees lifespan: The quality and correct placement of the posts, together with the correct tension on the wire, determine the total lifespan of the fence.

By choosing the professional installation by De Sutter Naturally one invests in the fundamental integrity and performance of the fence. The company thus assumes end-to-end responsibility for quality, which minimises the risk for the customer and strengthens the premium positioning of the brand.

A De Sutter Naturally wire mesh fence is known to be very low-maintenance, provided it has been professionally installed. The combination of high-quality materials and correct installation minimises the need for regular maintenance.

The wire mesh itself generally requires little to no maintenance. Thanks to the professional installation, where the wire is correctly tensioned and the posts are firmly anchored, the fence does not sag. This avoids the need for re-tensioning or repairs due to subsidence. In addition the wire mesh is durably galvanised, which protects it against corrosion and rust formation, even under the influence of weather conditions.

Although the mesh itself is low-maintenance, there are some aspects regarding the posts and the immediate environment that may require attention, especially if the fence is equipped with an electric wire:

• Lifespan of the posts: The lifespan of the entire fence is largely determined by the quality and correct placement of the posts. Although the wire mesh often outlives the posts and can be reused, the posts will after many years (for example 20+ years for impregnated wood, 25+ years for Robinia) possibly need replacement.
• Maintenance for electric wire: If an electric wire is integrated it is important to keep the grass and other vegetation under the fence short. If grass or plants grow against the electric wires there can be current loss to the soil, reducing the effectiveness of the electric fencing.
• Care when mowing: When mowing grass under the fence, for example with a brushcutter, it is advised to use a nylon trimmer head instead of a metal blade. This prevents damage to the pasture posts. Damaged posts, even if impregnated, are at greater risk of wood decay (rot) if the protective impregnation layer is broken. This can endanger the intended long lifespan of the posts.

In summary, the “low maintenance” claim is strongly connected to the initial professional installation. This provides a solid base that minimizes the need for maintenance of the mesh. Any maintenance mainly focuses on managing the environment, especially with electric fencing.

De Sutter Naturally offers a diversity of wire mesh options, notably in the area of mesh-size and knot types, to best match the specific needs of different animals and applications. These choice options enable customers to configure a fence that is optimal for their situation.

Mesh-size Flexibility:
The horizontal distribution of the wire mesh can be either equal or unequal. This means the distance between the horizontal wires can vary. A commonly used and recommended configuration is to apply smaller meshes at the lower side of the fence and larger meshes at the upper side. The smaller meshes at the bottom, often with a width of 8 cm or 15 cm, are crucial for the safety of smaller animals or to prevent animals getting their legs entangled. Larger meshes at the top can contribute to a nicer visual effect and can also be more cost-efficient.

Types of Knots:
The way in which the vertical and horizontal wires are connected — the knot — is another important distinguishing feature. De Sutter Naturally mainly offers two types:

• X-knot: This is a movable knot in which the vertical wire can somewhat shift relative to the horizontal wire. This flexibility makes the X-knot particularly suitable for animals such as sheep and goats, which tend to put their heads through the meshes or push against the fence. The knot "gives" without immediately breaking or injuring the animal. There are various configurations of the X-knot available, such as 122/8, 132/8, 158/8 and 192/8, where the numbers refer to height and number of horizontal wires or mesh size.
• Fixed knot: This knot is, as the name indicates, impenetrable and offers a very rigid connection. The vertical and horizontal wires are firmly fixed to each other. This type of knot is less flexible and therefore less manageable on bumpy or hilly terrain. The fixed knot is only applied by De Sutter Naturally on wide meshes of 15 cm and is therefore mainly suitable for enclosures for larger animals where maximum impenetrability is required, such as to deter wild boar. An example is the Fixed knot 122/15.

The standard wire thickness for all the mesh is 2.5 mm, which contributes to the strength and durability of the fence. The availability of these specialised options enables customers, often in consultation with the experts of De Sutter Naturally, to assemble a fence that is perfectly tailored to their unique situation, animal species and terrain conditions.

The table below compares the two main knot types:

Although De Sutter Naturally strongly recommends professional installation by their own skilled teams for optimal durability, safety and functionality of the fence, it is under certain conditions possible to install a wire mesh fence yourself.

The emphasis is strongly on professional installation because this offers the best guarantee that the fence is correctly tensioned, the posts are firmly and correctly anchored, and the fence delivers its promised lifespan and safety features. The expertise required to correctly handle the materials and the specific installation techniques (such as vibrating the posts) is considerable.

Nevertheless De Sutter Naturally recognizes that some customers prefer do-it-yourself (DIY) projects. An increase has been observed in sales of fences to DIYers, particularly for smaller areas, gardens and enclosures for smaller companion animals. For these projects self-installation can be a feasible option. De Sutter Naturally and its partners can supply the necessary materials for this. Customers who choose self-installation can expect guidance to support them during the installation process.

It is however crucial to realize that even with self-installation the correct technique is of the utmost importance. Especially correctly tensioning the wire mesh is essential to prevent sagging and the associated safety risks (such as animal entanglement).

De Sutter Naturally thus balances its premium, professionally installed offering with an accessible DIY option for specific customer segments and project sizes. By providing guidance to DIYers the company aims to promote a good final result even with self-installation, which benefits the brand reputation and appeals to a wider market.

The choice of the right posts, both in terms of thickness and wood species, is fundamental for the stability and lifespan of a wire mesh fence. The posts must be able to withstand the considerable tensile forces that arise when correctly tensioning the wire mesh. De Sutter Naturally provides clear recommendations on this.

Post thicknesses:
The general rule is that posts should be thicker than 6 cm to be able to bear the tension of the mesh. More specifically the following dimensions are recommended:

• For round planed posts: a minimum diameter of 10 to 12 cm.
• For square sawn posts: a minimum size of 10x10 cm.
• For impregnated softwood posts (rectangular): a minimum size of 15x7.5 cm.
  These dimensions ensure that the posts are sufficiently robust to not bend or break under the tension of the mesh and to withstand the vibrations during installation.

Wood species and Durability:
De Sutter Naturally emphasizes the use of durable wood. The most recommended options are:

• Impregnated posts: These are usually posts of softwood (such as pine) that have been pressure-treated with a preservative. These posts have an expected lifespan of at least 20 years.
• Robinia wood (Acacia): This is a European hardwood species that is naturally very durable. Robinia posts have a lifespan of 25 years and more, without the need for chemical treatment.

The company mainly works with wood that is FSC®- or PEFC-certified. These certifications guarantee that the wood comes from sustainably managed forests. This underlines De Sutter Naturally’s commitment to ecological responsibility, in addition to delivering a physically durable product.

The quality and correct placement of the posts, together with the mesh itself, determine the lifespan of the entire fence. The detailed recommendations for post thicknesses and the choice of durable wood species demonstrate deep technical insight into constructing solid and long-lasting fencing systems.