Galvanized vs. Vinyl Coated Wire Mesh & Fence

Which One Shall I Choose?

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There are many different wire fence products available from which to choose. And it can be difficult to know which one to buy. One of the decisions you will need to make is whether you want a galvanized fence or a mesh that is vinyl coated.

Some differences between galvanized and vinyl coated wire mesh and fence?

Galvanized fences and meshes are either welded or woven. There are Galvanized Before Weld or Weave (GBW) and Galvanized After Weld or Weave (GAW) meshes. The difference between these two types is explained in our blog "Galvanized Before vs Galvanized After Mesh & Fence". The most common and most readily available fence meshes are GBW. These are the commodity meshes sold by all the big box stores. GAW products are:

• harder to find
• they are higher quality
• more expensive 
• they will last years longer

Both share the same characteristic of having a galvanized finish. But GAW meshes are far superior.

Vinyl Coated (VC) fences are also available in either welded or woven meshes. They are different from galvanized products because they have a double layer of protection from rust and corrosion - vinyl coating over previously galvanized wire. This gives these meshes an even longer life. The highest quality and longest lasting products with the best rust protection are those that feature vinyl coating on top of GAW wire. These are the meshes used in such things as lobster pots and crawfish traps.

Why are vinyl coated meshes more expensive?

The cost of the vinyl applied to the wire adds to the cost of the final product. Additional handling and processing during the manufacturing process also add to the cost.

And vinyl coated fence, is it really worth the extra expense?                                                              Meshes and fences that have been vinyl coated have the longest lifetime due to the extra protection they have against rust and corrosion.

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Contact us to discuss your requirements of GALVANIZED HARDWARE CLOTH. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

What about how it looks?

They are also more aesthetically pleasing. The black and green color stand out less than the brighter galvanized finish. In fact, black mesh tends to disappear into the background, becoming virtually invisible. You can see whatever is on the other side of the fence more clearly.

It is also important to remember that although the initial cost of a vinyl coated fence is higher, it may ultimately be less expensive. Don't forget the cost and aggravation of needing to replace a product with a shorter lifetime.

The choice between galvanized and vinyl coated fence

Think about how long you want the fence to last. How frequently will you want to replace it? If you want a fence that will last a long time and maintain its nice appearance, go with the vinyl coated mesh. If you only need the fence to last a few years, use a GBW mesh.

Again, consider aesthetics--

Think about how you want the fence to look. If the fence will be in a prominent place and you want it to look attractive, use a vinyl coated mesh. If the fence will be less visible and you don't mind a utilitarian appearance, use a GBW mesh. You can also use a GAW mesh if you want the fence to last longer.

And if you need further clarification, please don't hesitate to call us and ask questions--(866) 328-

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No, don't use that. The galvanizing is very rough and may cause sores on the feet. Plus galvanized wire and mesh are just dirty - it gets coated with oil during the fabrication process, so it leaves a nasty film on your hands. I wouldn't want that to get on my chameleon.

Get the plastic mesh instead - much fewer issues with it and much easier to work with. If you can get plastic-coated metal mesh, that would be okay. the plastic mesh they had looked really big squares in the middle .. so like are u saying the galvinized cant be used at all ?? i can cover most of the screen with fake plants and etc for she wont get on it as much or at all Many years ago I had chams get sores from that wire. I wouldn't use it again for chameleons.

I don't know how it would work for chams, but for my chicken tractor I painted the galvinized steel mesh with a couple of heavy coats of forest green outdoor paint with a really long warranty (decades and decades- can't remember if it was 20, 30, 50 years or what). It feels very smooth now even after 3 or 4 years and it looks great- isn't an eyesore in the yard and no glare and great visibility when looking in at the chickens.

Is this mesh different from hardware cloth? I don't have an issue with hardware cloth. The only concern is how to contain free roamed feeders.

Hardware cloth tends to be galvanized too as it will rust easily, similar to chicken wire. You can scrub it then paint it with tool handle coatings and also spray it with kid-safe latex paint to seal the surfaces and smooth rough edges. Also consider the coated wire mesh used for rabbit hutches. I've used hardware cloth, galvanized wire, aluminum and fiberglass windowscreen on various cages over the years. They can all work. Hardware cloth is easier on claws that can get snagged in smaller mesh sizes, but feeders can get out. One solution is to semi-confine your feeders in a larger plastic box. If you want to feed houseflies you can make a windowscreen outer cover that the cham won't climb on. Flies tend to congregate near the heat and light so you often only need to put windowscreen panels around the upper part of the cage. enclosures

1/4 in. hardware cloth doesn't seem to injure the chams feet, but as you say the feeders can escape. 1/8 in. hardware cloth definitely causes sores on the lower side of the feet, but most larger feeders can't get out. I like the black aluminum screen the best. You can see through it well and it holds water drops for the cham to drink from. It does tear easier than all the hardware cloth though.

Hardware cloth tends to be galvanized too as it will rust easily, similar to chicken wire. You can scrub it then paint it with tool handle coatings and also spray it with kid-safe latex paint to seal the surfaces and smooth rough edges. Also consider the coated wire mesh used for rabbit hutches. I've used hardware cloth, galvanized wire, aluminum and fiberglass windowscreen on various cages over the years. They can all work. Hardware cloth is easier on claws that can get snagged in smaller mesh sizes, but feeders can get out. One solution is to semi-confine your feeders in a larger plastic box. If you want to feed houseflies you can make a windowscreen outer cover that the cham won't climb on. Flies tend to congregate near the heat and light so you often only need to put windowscreen panels around the upper part of the cage.

I'm confused. Isn't the purpose of galvanization to prevent rusting?

Also, I believe there's a rubber-coated option. Yes the galvanizing inhibits rust, but it's not perfect. Any place the zinc is damaged from bending, nicking, cutting, etc, will start to spot rust. It's not the end of the world, but it's something that will happen. If you can get it, I would vote either plastic coated wire or the PVC flexible hardware cloth. I found it in the garden section of my hardware store.