Wood and wire fence is a popular style of custom built wood fencing with the framework constructed from wood and has a wire mesh infill. Also referred to as hog wire fence or wood wire, there are countless designs for wood and wire fences.
The types of materials you choose for the framework and the wire mesh used for the infill will give your version of this popular fence a custom look.
However, no matter what type of components you choose, the building process for wood and wire fence designs remains similar.
Framework for Wood and Wire Fencing
The framework for wood and wire fence designs is very simple. It requires posts and rails. The dimensions for both of these components can be to your liking. It is a matter of personal liking. Smaller posts and thinner rails will help to hide the wood framework and blend in better.
Larger posts and heavier horizontal rails will result in a stronger framework but at the same time, also stand out more. There’s no wrong choice. Go for the look you like the best.
Wood and Wire Fence Posts
The posts used for wood and wire fence provide the rails and the wire mesh a strong foundation to securely attach to. I recommend setting them in concrete in order to keep them nice and plumb.
The distance between the posts should be 8′ on center or less. Check local building codes for depth requirements before setting posts.
I like to leave the posts taller than the intended height of the fence. Then cut them to height after completing the installation of the wire mesh or welded wire panels.
The actual size of the posts really doesn’t matter. Compared to other types of fence, wood wire fence is lightweight. Furthermore most wood and wire fence designs are shorter in height with an average height of 48″ tall. So, the fence posts aren’t holding up much weight.
The open wire design doesn’t catch the wind either. So the stress on the posts for this type of custom fence will be minimal. Standard posts sizes for wire fence with wood framework are 4×4, 4×6 and 6×6. The larger the post, the beefier the fence will look.
Rails for Wood and Wire Fence
The rails are the horizontal pieces that connect the posts. Most wood and wire fences use two rails per section. A top rail and bottom rail.
Just like the posts, you have options in regards to the size of the rails. 2×4 and 2×6 rails are the most commonly used sizes. I do suggest when installing the rails that you install them an inch taller than the height of the wire mesh infill you plan to use.
This will allow for some wiggle room when installing the wire mesh or panels. However, you also have options as to how the rails connect to the posts.
The first and easiest way to attach the rails to the posts on a wood and wire fence is on one side of the posts. This will result in the framework of the fence being install off center to the posts.
However, this method is easier when adding the wire mesh to the framework. Allowing for one continuous piece attached to the entire length of the fence line.
The second way is to attached the rails in between the post. This takes more precise measuring and cutting of the rails. Furthermore, requiring cutting the wire mesh infill to fit between the posts for each section of fence. Go for the look you desire.
Trim Boards
Trim boards are optional and not required. However, they do add a finished look to a wood and wire mesh fence. Adding trim boards sandwiches the wire mesh infill between the rails. This adds a clean finished look.
Trim boards do not have to be the same thickness as the rails. This is because they don’t do anything other than cover up the ends of the wire infill and the fasteners used to attach the infill to the rails. Sort of like a picture frame.
As a result, trim boards are usaully thinner. Use 1x4s or 1x6s for trim boards on wood and wire fence.
Pro Installation Tip
Install the rails level. Do not try to follow grade when installing wood wire fence using welded wire fence. The perfect squares and rectangles of the wire mesh infill do not adjust to grade changes well.
Not to mention the look of vertical strands of wire mesh running up or downhill where they intersect the vertical lines of a plumb post is not appealing. Even worse, when using a welded wire panel such as a cattle panel for the infill, the wire mesh will have to be cut on an angle between the posts resulting in triangular spaces next to them.
If a change in grade is necessary, step the sections of the fence at each post.
Wire Mesh Infill for Wood Wire Fence
The wire mesh infill used for wood and wire fence comes in three styles. Wire fence designs include welded wire mesh, woven wire mesh and steel wire cattle panels.
The size of the holes in the mesh and the strength of the mesh will determine which one is best for your custom wood and wire mesh fence.
Welded Wire Mesh
Welded wire mesh has vertical and horizontal strands of wire welded together where they intersect. This might sound strong, however, the strands of wire are very thin. As result, making welded wire the weakest option of the three.
However, it is also the least expensive of the wire fence designs options for wood and wire fencing. Welded wire mesh infill is lightweight and easy to work with. It’s also easy to cut to size. It can be attached to the rails in one continuous piece or cut to fit between the posts.
Because the wire strands are thin, it sandwiches well between rails and trim boards. Welded wire mesh comes galvanized or vinyl coated. Allowing you to choose between silver, green and black colors.
Woven Wire Mesh
Woven wire mesh has vertical and horizontal strands of wire like welded wire mesh. Often referred to as hog wire fence. However, there are two major differences.
Woven wire mesh uses heavier gauge wire strands. Therefore making it stronger than welded wire. Also, a special knot ties the strands together at intersecting points. As a result, allowing woven wire to be stretched tighter than welded wire.
However, this only works when the wire mesh infill will be stretched in a continuous line on your wood and wire fence.
Welded Steel Cattle Panels
Cattle panels make for excellent infill for wood and wire fences. The heavy duty wire strands are welded together where they intersect. This makes for a rigid panel that can be cut to any width.
There is no need to stretch cattle panels. As a result, allowing them to be installed in a continuous run or between posts easily. They are also easier to install in areas where the fence line will step often.
However, because cattle are big, so are the holes in these wire fence designs. Make sure to review the size of the holes in the panels before purchasing them. If you are trying to contain small animals or pets, the spaces might be too large.
Wood and Wire Fence Gates
The gates for wood and wire fence will be custom to match your design. Because of all the design options, there really isn’t a standard way to construct the gates. However, I do have suggestions and tips for building a wood and wire fence gate.
First and most important, don’t make them heavier than they have to be. Heavy gates tend to sag and are cumbersome to open. Use 2×4 framework to keep the weight down. Or build a steel framed wood gate.
Second, use a cross brace or wire tensioner for extra support and to prevent the gate from sagging. Wood and wire fence designs are very open and transparent. I know you want the gates to match the rest of the fence, but adding a cross brace will improve the integrity of the gate. At the very least, add a metal cable with turnbuckle to prevent sagging.
Next, don’t build too wide of a gate. If a larger opening is required, turn a single gate into a double gate. Two smaller gates will reduce the weight of each gate leaf. They will also be easier to operate.
Use a drop rod or cane bolt to secure one side of a double gate. When access to the larger opening is needed, simply pull the drop rod and open both leafs.
Last, make sure the gate post is concreted deeper than the other posts. Gate posts have the burden of supporting the gate. As result, extra stress is put on them.
Dig a larger diameter hole and make sure it is at least 36″ deep. When a single gate is larger than 4′ wide, upgrade the gate post to a 4×6 or 6×6 post if 4×4’s were used on the rest of the fence.
Providing the gate with a solid platform to hang from will give you years of trouble free operation.
Final Thoughts About Wood and Wire Fences
Hopefully after reading this blog post your head is spinning in a good way. Filled with all sorts of wood and wire fence ideas and how you want yours to look.
These fences are really easy for a do it yourselfers or homeowner to install. And because they don’t require a ton of materials, they are also more affordable when compared to other styles of fencing.
However, for those of you looking to have a wood and wire fence professionally installed, many fence installation companies will be happy to build one for you.
