What is welded wire mesh?
Welded wire mesh is made by laying straight line wires and cross wires at right angles and fusing every intersection with a resistance (spot) weld. Because each crossing is welded, the mesh keeps its square or rectangular openings under load, unlike woven mesh where wires can shift. It is supplied as flat panels for structural and fencing work and as rolls for lighter applications. See welded vs woven for how the two differ.
Standard mesh sizes and wire gauges
Welded mesh is specified by aperture (the clear opening between wires) and wire diameter. Common apertures and the gauges typically paired with them are shown below; gauges are given in Standard Wire Gauge (SWG) with metric equivalents.
| Aperture (mm) | Typical wire dia. (mm) | Typical SWG | Common use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12.7 x 12.7 | 1.63 | 16 | Light cages, hutches |
| 25 x 25 | 2.0 - 2.5 | 14 - 12 | General fencing, partitions |
| 50 x 50 | 2.5 - 3.0 | 12 - 11 | Garden & boundary fencing |
| 75 x 50 | 3.0 - 4.0 | 11 - 8 | Heavy fencing |
| 100 x 50 | 4.0 - 5.0 | 8 - 6 | Stock & industrial fencing |
Materials and coatings
The base wire is usually mild (low-carbon) steel, though stainless grades are used where corrosion resistance matters. Coating is the main durability decision and affects relative cost. Use the weight calculator to estimate roll or panel mass before shipping.
- Galvanised before welding (GBW): wire is zinc-coated first, then welded; the weld points lose some coating, so corrosion resistance is lower but cost is reduced.
- Galvanised after welding (GAW): the finished mesh is hot-dip galvanised, sealing the welds; more durable and preferred for outdoor and marine exposure.
- PVC-coated: a polymer layer over galvanised wire for colour and extra weather protection - see galvanised vs PVC.
- Stainless steel (SS304 / SS316): for hygienic, chemical or coastal environments; see SS304 vs SS316.
Where welded mesh is used
- Fencing - boundary, security, agricultural and temporary panels.
- Concrete reinforcement - prefabricated reinforcing sheets for slabs and screeds.
- Animal enclosures - poultry cages, aviaries, kennels and pet runs.
- Industrial - machine guards, shelving, partitions and storage cages.
How to choose and buy welded mesh
Match aperture to what you need to contain or exclude, then pick a wire gauge heavy enough for the load and span. For outdoor use specify GAW or PVC-coated. Confirm panel or roll dimensions and the number of pieces, and check tolerance on aperture and wire diameter. Convert gauges and openings with the spec converter, and read how to read mesh specs before ordering.
For coastal or wet sites, galvanised-after-welding (GAW) outlasts galvanised-before-welding because the zinc seals the vulnerable weld points.