Hexagonal Wire Mesh (Chicken Wire) Buying Guide: Galvanized vs PVC-Coated — How to Specify Hex Netting by Gauge, Opening, and Roll
Hexagonal wire mesh — the “chicken wire” of farms, gabion linings, and stucco reinforcement — is bought by gauge, opening, and zinc weight, not just by the roll. Thin wire with light zinc tears in handling and rusts in a season; the wrong opening lets chicks out or will not hold plaster. Match the mesh to the job and a cheap product lasts years.
This guide compares galvanized vs PVC-coated hex mesh, gauges, openings, roll sizes, and a complete RFQ checklist.
Galvanized vs PVC-Coated Hex Mesh
| Aspect | Galvanized (GI) | PVC-coated |
|---|---|---|
| Looks | Silver metallic | Green or black, blends into landscape |
| Corrosion | Good — check zinc g/m² | Best — PVC over heavy-galvanized core |
| Use | Farms, gabions, construction | Gardens, aviaries, visible fencing |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
Gauge & Opening Guide
| Wire gauge | Opening | Advice |
|---|---|---|
| 0.6–0.8 mm (22–24 ga) | 13–25 mm | Crafts, light garden use only — tears easily |
| 0.9–1.2 mm (19–20 ga) | 25–50 mm | Poultry, rabbit cages, plaster mesh — the default |
| 1.4–2.0 mm (16–17 ga) | 50–75 mm | Gabion lining, slope protection, heavy fencing |
Roll Sizes Buyers Should Confirm
- Width: 0.5 m, 1 m, 1.5 m, 2 m — confirm net width, not overall.
- Length: 25 m, 30 m, 50 m per roll — confirm meters, because light rolls are often short-measured.
- Selvedge: single-twist edges unravel; double-selvedge (knuckled) edges hold shape in handling.
- Packing: shrink film + label + pallet; PVC mesh needs UV-stable film for container heat.
Common Applications
- Poultry netting, rabbit hutches, and aviaries.
- Gabion box lining and rockfall netting underlay.
- Stucco/plaster reinforcement and insulation holding mesh.
- Garden fencing, tree guards, and compost bins.
RFQ Checklist
- Coating: galvanized (zinc g/m²) or PVC-coated (color + core wire)
- Wire gauge (mm) + hexagon opening (mm/inch)
- Roll: width x length, selvedge type
- Quantity (rolls / containers), destination / Incoterm
FAQ
What mesh for chickens? 25 mm opening in 0.9–1.0 mm wire keeps birds in and most predators out; bury 30 cm against digging.
Galvanized or PVC for gardens? PVC-coated where looks matter; heavy-galvanized where cost rules — both outlast electro-galvanized light mesh.
Why did my mesh rust in months? Almost always electro-galvanized thin wire sold as “galvanized” — specify hot-dip zinc weight on the PO.
Why Source Hexagonal Wire Mesh from Yihang Metal
Yihang Metal supplies galvanized and PVC-coated hexagonal wire mesh in 0.6–2.0 mm wire with verified openings, double-selvedge edges, and full-meter rolls, packed for export in containers that typically ship in 20–30 days.
Ready to specify your hex wire mesh? Send us the coating, wire gauge, opening, roll size, and quantity, and we will confirm availability and lead time with a fixed-price quote. Email [email protected] or use the quote form on this page — our team replies within one business day.