What is Woven Wire Mesh? Get Answers to 6 FAQs - TWP Inc.

Woven wire mesh is essentially a metal mesh screen. It comprises horizontal and vertical intersecting wires in a grid pattern. The individual wires can range in thickness, and the mesh openings vary in size, from small enough to filter particles to large enough to use in concrete patios.

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To learn more about the basics of wire mesh, see answers to frequently asked questions below.

1) How is Wire Mesh Made?

Wire mesh is made by weaving or welding intersecting metal wires. The horizontal and vertical wires are woven together on large industrial looms, most often resulting in a grid pattern with square openings called a plain weave. However, there's also hex mesh (aka chicken wire) that features hexagonal openings, as well as decorative variations.

2) What is Mesh Also Known As?

Wire mesh is sometimes referred to as hardware cloth, metal mesh, wire fabric, or hardware mesh. The type with hexagonal openings is called chicken wire or hex mesh.

3) What is it Used For?

Wire mesh has a wide range of commercial (such as construction and building), industrial, agricultural, and residential uses. The most common applications involve filtration, ventilation, construction, fencing, landscaping, and pest control.

People often use the material at home for chimney caps, fireplace screens, gutter guards, foundation vents, soffit screens, gardening, craft papermaking, and food drying. It's also a top choice for decorative projects, like DIY cabinet doors, light fixtures, and infinite craft designs.

4) What are the Different Types of Mesh?

Wire mesh can be woven from various metals, including stainless steel, copper, bronze, brass, aluminum, and more. Steel mesh screens are available in two basic types of metal alloys, T-304 and T-316.

The material can also vary in terms of wire thickness (diameter), opening size, and mesh count (the number of openings per square inch). Some wire mesh is malleable and easy to cut, while other types are rigid. In addition to size and quantity, all these differences influence the cost.

5) What’s the Difference Between Woven & Welded Wire Mesh?

Woven wire mesh is created with an industrial loom, which works by connecting horizontal and vertical wires with a one-over, one-under weave pattern. It’s a valuable material in a wide range of industries and applications due to its strength, durability, and ability to provide specific characteristics based on the weave pattern, wire diameter, and material used. 

From chimney caps and craft papermaking to foundation vents and food drying, the mesh is a go-to for a variety of industries and DIYers.

With the welded variety, the intersecting wires are fused together with heat through a process called resistance welding. An electric current heats the metal while pressure is applied to bond the intersecting wires.

Welded stainless steel mesh is exceptionally strong, long-lasting, and resilient in various outdoor environments. It's often used in the construction and building sectors, but is also the perfect material for DIYers looking to build durable fencing, rodent proof their gardens and home, and more.

About Galvanized Metal

Galvanized wire mesh is a type of woven stainless steel mesh. Once the metal grid is created, the material goes through one of two galvanization processes. It can be dipped into molten zinc to form a strong, protective zinc-steel alloy over the surface.

The other option is electrolytic galvanizing (also called cold galvanizing). With this method, an organic zinc solvent is painted onto the mesh. When the solvent evaporates, zinc particles are left on the surface, which creates a chemical reaction to form the desired zinc-steel coating.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Galvanized Woven Wire Mesh.

6) Which is Better, Galvanized or Welded?

Galvanized hardware cloth is incredibly resistant to extreme temperatures, rust, and corrosion. The material is durable and somewhat stiff, but it can often be bent or manipulated by hand or with pliers. Its resilience and malleability make it a good choice for things like tomato cages, greenhouses, chicken coops, and spark arrestors.

Welded wire mesh is more rigid, so it's best for fences, automotive grills, building reinforcements, infill panels, gabions, and concrete driveways.

Industry Leading Wire Mesh Supplier Since

TWP Inc. has a robust selection of wire mesh in stock and ready to ship. An industry-leading supplier since , our family-owned company is a reliable resource for businesses, farmers, and homeowners alike.

Order your metal mesh products today, or get in touch with us to request a quote on a custom size or quantity.

Wire mesh is extremely versatile in its uses and can be manufactured to accommodate many different applications. Depending on your use, finding the right woven metal mesh or welded wire mesh for your project can be crucial. Check out this guide for tips on buying the best wire mesh the industry has to offer. Keep in mind, quality really does matter when it comes to working with wire mesh materials. 

Find Your Mesh Specification

Wire cloth fabrication can be molded to fit a variety of specifications. Knowing some specifics of the application you’re using it for can be very helpful in making sure you get the right mesh for your project. One of the largest deciding factors is the need for strength and durability in its application. For instance, if you are looking to invest in woven metal mesh to assist in allergy-proofing your home, a single-layer of wire cloth over windows will cleanse the air while ensuring proper airflow.

In addition to choosing between a single layer of wire mesh or multiple layers, you must also consider the size and shape you are working with. For instance, when working to create a filter product through wire cloth fabrication, choosing a very fine wire will allow for the optimal level of filtration to be achieved. 

Understanding the mesh count, wire diameter and opening needed for your application is an important first step in making sure you find the wire mesh to fit your project. Additional tools can be used to help you find the right fit. For example, Lawrence Sintered Metals has a free wire mesh calculator that can help you determine what specifications you may need.

Choose Your Weave Type and Pattern

Once you have the basic specifications of the mesh you need, it may also prove beneficial to decide on your weave type and pattern. One of the main considerations in selecting a wire mesh is whether to select a woven or welded pattern. Woven mesh is more common overall because not all wires are suitable for welding.

Woven wire mesh—also sometimes referred to as woven wire cloth—is created by weaving wire strands in an over-under or under-over method to form different patterns with varying specifications. Some of the most common weave patterns for woven wire mesh are plain/square weave, rectangular weave, plain Dutch weave, twilled Dutch weave, and intercrimp weave. The weave pattern of mesh significantly influences what it can be used for. For example, plain square weaves are ideal for use in general-purpose applications, while Dutch weaves are more appropriate for use in air and liquid filtering applications.

Welded wire mesh is a sheet of metal wires arranged into a stable grid pattern, then welded at the intersections for durability. Welded wire mesh is cost-effective and highly customizable, with options for a range of materials, thicknesses, and grid patterns. Stainless steel is oftentimes the material used to create welded wire mesh, as it offers the highest performance, valued both for its strength and corrosion resistance. Applications that may call for stainless steel mesh for either functional or aesthetic purposes include filters for chemical and oil processing, air filtration, food service and medical filters and guards, and building facades.

Think About Your Application’s Conditions

When chosen correctly, wire mesh offers the strength and flexibility needed for its given application. It is important to select a material capable of withstanding the operating and environmental conditions. For example, in applications involving corrosive materials, stainless steel is a viable option. In general, stainless steel is one of the most—if not the most—commonly employed construction materials for wire mesh products. Typical alloys used include Type 304, 316, and 316L.

Do the Necessary Research

Just as you would with any other project, doing the research before you start is imperative. We encourage all users of wire mesh, especially those new to the industry, to familiarize themselves with the products, their terminology, and users. In addition, know where you can save money in the process. For example, to receive the best SQFT price, purchase a full roll of material. Standard rolls measure 100 feet in length, and when purchasing in this quantity, there is no extra labor cost and no cut to size waste.

Lawrence Sintered Metals Offers High Quality, Affordable Wire Mesh

Once you have all of your specifications laid out, all you need to do is find a wire mesh products provider. Lawrence Sintered Metals offers a variety of wire mesh products in woven and welded form, in different alloys including plain steel, stainless steel and galvanized steel, aluminum, copper, bronze, brass, Monel, Alloy 20, and many more.

Are you interested in learning more about Welded Wire Mesh Supplier? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!