How to Build a Wire Fence

Wire fencing is used mainly for containing things like animals. Wire fencing can be build easily and quickly because the siding is literally rolled onto the posts and rails. The normal spacing for posts on wire fencing is 8'. You can buy wire mesh usually in 4' or 5' heights and you can also get it in metal and plastic.

The first thing you need to do is set your posts, usually 4x4, 8' apart. Once you have installed your posts you need to cut the top rails, usually 2x4, to span over two posts or 16' if you have 8' on center posts. Nail the top rails in place on top of the posts. Next you need to cut the bottom rails to fit between the 8' sections then nail them into the posts with a toe nail technique. Toe nailing basically means to nail the rails in at an angle.

Once you have the posts and rails up you are ready to put up the wire or plastic mesh. It is a good idea to have a helper when putting up a mesh fence because the wire mesh can get a little hard to work with. Start out at the first post and staple you wire mesh to the post at the top middle and bottom. Next you need to unroll the mesh to the next post and staple that in. Once you have your metal pulled tight to the second post staple it in, and then go back and staple in the mesh every 6 inches between the posts.

To make it easier, you should unroll each 8' section and then cut off the mesh. In other words once you have a section done cut the wire mesh and act like you are starting over. Continue this method for every section. When you start the next section you should overlap the mesh over the previous mesh and staple it in. It is pretty easy and fast going once you get the hang of it. After you have put your mesh over the entire fence you need to put a top rail or cap over the entire fence. The top rail should be a 1x6 that is nailed to the top 2x4 using a galvanized 10d (3 inch) nail.

Wire fencing is easy and quick to put up usually because it is not for looks, it is for a purpose and as I said earlier is concealed from view of the public. You can also put up wire fencing using metal posts and it is just as easy. In fact it is probably easier because all you have to do is hammer the metal post into the ground and weave the metal or plastic mesh through the holes. Don't over think or over engineer wire fencing, you rarely see a wire fence blow over due to wind because there is no resistance. The wind blows right through the wire mesh and puts minimal pressure on the posts. It's easy and can also be used for a temporary fence. Give it a try if you are trying to keep something out of an area. I find that it works great when you are trying to grow grass. Give it a shot.