Chain Wire Fencing: A Practical Guide for Commercial, Industrial, and Residential Use
Chain wire fencing is one of the most cost-effective perimeter solutions in Australia. It secures large areas without the visual weight of solid panels, it is straightforward to install, and the materials are available in configurations that suit everything from a suburban garden to an industrial facility perimeter. This guide covers the key decisions you need to make when specifying chain wire fencing for any application.
What Is Chain Wire Fencing and Where Is It Used?
Chain wire fencing, also called chainlink or chain mesh fencing, consists of a woven wire mesh supported by steel posts and top and bottom rails. The mesh is manufactured in a diamond pattern, with wire running diagonally across the fence face to create interlocking loops. This structure gives the fence its strength and flexibility: chain wire fencing can follow uneven ground and absorb impact without buckling the way rigid panel systems do.
Common applications across Australia
Industrial facilities use chain wire fencing to define perimeters, restrict vehicle access routes, and separate zones within a site. Schools and sporting facilities use it to enclose courts, ovals, and boundary lines. Residential properties use it for side and rear boundaries, pet enclosures, and garden boundaries where a lower-cost option is appropriate. Agricultural properties use heavy gauge chain wire for livestock enclosures and property boundaries.
Mesh Specification: The First Decision You Need to Make
The mesh itself is specified by three variables: the diamond aperture size, the wire diameter, and the surface finish.
Diamond aperture size
The 50mm diamond is the standard aperture for general commercial and residential use. It provides a balance between visibility through the fence and physical security. Smaller apertures are available for specific applications where preventing the passage of small objects or animals is a requirement.
Wire diameter and duty rating
The 2.5mm diameter wire is the standard light duty specification, suitable for residential and light commercial use. The 3.15mm heavy duty wire is the correct choice for industrial perimeters, high-security applications, and sites where the fence will be subject to physical stress. Specifying light duty wire on an industrial site is a common and expensive mistake: it looks identical to heavy duty wire when new but fails significantly faster under regular load and environmental exposure.
Surface finish: galvanised versus PVC coated
Galvanised chain wire mesh is the standard for most applications. The galvanising process bonds a zinc coating to the steel wire, providing corrosion resistance without adding significant cost. PVC-coated chain wire adds a polymer layer over the galvanised wire, which provides additional corrosion resistance and a more finished appearance. Black PVC-coated mesh is the preferred choice for school fencing, sporting facilities, and any application where the fence needs to sit discreetly in the background rather than dominate the visual environment.
Posts and Rails: Sizing Your Structure Correctly
The mesh is only as secure as the structure holding it. Post and rail sizing must match the fence height and the load the fence will experience.
CHS round tube posts
Chain wire fencing uses circular hollow section (CHS) round tube posts rather than the square hollow section posts used in panel fencing systems. The standard post sizes are 32NB (42.4mm outer diameter), 40NB (48.3mm), and 50NB (60.3mm). Post size increases with fence height and the load requirements of the site. For a standard 1800mm residential fence, 32NB or 40NB posts are typical. For a 2400mm industrial perimeter fence, 50NB posts are the appropriate specification.
Hot dip galvanised versus PDC black posts
Posts are available in hot dip galvanised finish and PDC powder coat black. Galvanised posts are the default for most applications and carry a higher level of corrosion resistance in their raw state. PDC black posts are specified where the fence needs to match a black mesh for a consistent visual result, or where the site's colour palette calls for a black perimeter.
Base plated posts for concrete footings
Base plated posts are designed to be concreted into footings rather than driven directly into the ground. The base plate sits at ground level and is encased in the footing, providing a rigid anchor point that resists racking loads. For permanent installations on commercial sites, base plated posts are the more reliable anchor method compared to direct burial.
Fittings, Clamps, and Connectors
Chain wire fencing uses a system of fittings to connect the mesh to the rails and posts. Getting the right fitting for each position is important for the structural integrity of the fence.
Rail clamps and post clamps
The universal post clamp (T-piece) connects the horizontal rail to the vertical post at an intermediate post. The universal rail clamp (B-piece) connects at the rail end. These fittings are adjustable within a range of angles, which is useful on sites where the fence line does not run in a straight line or where corner angles are not 90 degrees.
Adjustable corners and angle tees
Adjustable angle tees allow the top rail to change direction at corners without a pre-formed fixed angle fitting. For sites where the exact corner angle is determined on the day of installation rather than in a drawing, adjustable fittings prevent the costly problem of having ordered fixed-angle fittings for an angle that does not match the finished site.
Tie wire and line wire
The tie wire connects the chain mesh to the rails and posts. The 1.57mm tie wire is the standard specification. The cable or line wire runs horizontally through the bottom of the mesh and is tensioned to prevent the base of the mesh from lifting. On sites with uneven ground or where animals might push up against the base of the fence, line wire tensioning is essential to maintain the fence's integrity.
Gate Options for Chain Wire Fencing
Chain wire gates are available in two configurations: the access gate and the barbed wire gate.
Access gates for pedestrian and vehicle entry
The chain wire galvanised access gate is the standard pedestrian and vehicle entry option. It is manufactured to match the mesh and post specification of the fence, so the gate opening provides the same security standard as the fence line itself.
Gates with barbed wire topping
For industrial and high-security perimeters, chain wire gates are available with a three-barbed wire topping that continues the barbed wire deterrent used on the fence line itself. Barbed wire on the top of a chain wire fence is a recognised security enhancement for applications where the primary concern is the physical deterrent value of the perimeter rather than its visual appearance.
Browse the full chain wire fencing collection to see the complete range of mesh, posts, rails, fittings, and gates. For sites that need both chain wire and rigid security panel fencing, visit the commercial security fencing collection. For tamper-resistant fixings, PENTAFORCE tamper proof security screws are in the crimp top security fencing collection.
Explore our chain wire fencing range
Further reading
Fencing Components — Chain Wire Fencing Specialists
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Frequently Asked Questions
Mesh specification, post sizing, fittings and gates — answered.
What is chain wire fencing?
A woven wire mesh supported by steel posts and top and bottom rails, manufactured in a diamond pattern with wire running diagonally across the fence face to create interlocking loops. That structure lets the fence follow uneven ground and absorb impact without buckling the way rigid panel systems do.
What mesh specification should I choose?
Mesh is specified by diamond aperture, wire diameter and surface finish. The 50mm diamond is the standard aperture for general commercial and residential use. The 2.5mm wire is the standard light duty specification; 3.15mm heavy duty wire is the correct choice for industrial perimeters, high-security applications, and sites where the fence will be subject to physical stress.
Galvanised or PVC coated?
Galvanised chain wire mesh is the standard for most applications. PVC-coated mesh adds a polymer layer over the galvanised wire for additional corrosion resistance and a more finished appearance. Black PVC-coated mesh is the preferred choice for school fencing, sporting facilities, and any application where the fence needs to sit discreetly in the background.
What post size do I need?
Chain wire uses circular hollow section (CHS) round tube posts. The standard sizes are 32NB (42.4mm outer diameter), 40NB (48.3mm) and 50NB (60.3mm). For a standard 1800mm residential fence, 32NB or 40NB posts are typical. For a 2400mm industrial perimeter fence, 50NB posts are the appropriate specification.
What are base plated posts for?
They are designed to be concreted into footings rather than driven directly into the ground. The base plate sits at ground level and is encased in the footing, providing a rigid anchor point that resists racking loads. For permanent installations on commercial sites, base plated posts are the more reliable anchor method compared to direct burial.
What gate options are available?
Two configurations. The chain wire galvanised access gate is the standard pedestrian and vehicle entry option, manufactured to match the mesh and post specification of the fence. For industrial and high-security perimeters, gates are available with a three-barbed wire topping that continues the deterrent used on the fence line.
Pricing a chain wire perimeter?
Browse mesh, CHS posts, rails, fittings and gates online, or call the team for help specifying the right duty rating for your site. Nationwide delivery. Open to the public. No minimum order.