What is Fencing Wire?
"Fencing wire" covers the family of wires and cables that hold a chain-link fence together and add security to the top of it. In a chain-link system the fabric itself carries no structural load — the support cables, lacing and ties are what keep it tensioned, straight and attached to the posts.
Each wire type has a specific diameter and a specific job. Substituting one for another is the most common cause of a chain-link fence sagging within a year of installation.
Support and tensioning wire
Helicoil cable — 4.00mm
Helicoil is a 4.00mm tensioned cable used to support chain-link fabric in rail-less fencing systems — that is, where there is no top rail. It is installed horizontally, strained tight between terminal posts, and secured to each intermediate post with 2.00mm lacing wire.
Typical configuration:
- Top wire — one half diamond below the top selvedge
- Bottom wire — one half diamond above the bottom selvedge
- Middle wire — evenly spaced between top and bottom
Plain wire — 3.15mm
Plain wire is used as a twin double-twisted horizontal cable at 3.15mm diameter. The two strands are looped around alternate posts to form a spiral tension pattern, which creates the structural tension that supports the chain-link mesh between posts.
Installation note: never loop both strands around the same post. Alternate sides — that is what produces the spiral tension. Looping both strands on one post defeats the whole method.
Fastening wire
Lacing wire — 2.00mm
2.00mm lacing wire fastens chain-link fabric to the other components of the fence. It is flexible enough to work by hand and strong enough to hold consistently.
Common uses:
- Lacing fabric to terminal posts
- Lacing fabric to top and bottom rails
- Securing helicoil cable to intermediate posts
- Tying barbed wire to post tops
Tie wire — 1.57mm
A thinner gauge for lighter work:
- Securing chain-link fabric to horizontal cables
- General light-duty tie-offs
Netting clips and pliers
Netting clips are a faster alternative to lacing or tie wire. The clip fastens over both the mesh and the support cable, and is crimped closed with a handheld plier tool.
Installation: fit a clip every 320mm — typically every 4th diamond in 50mm pitch chain-link fabric.
Security wire
Barbed wire
Barbed wire is installed above the main fence line as a deterrent. Standard product is 1.57mm high-tensile with a reverse twist and barbs spaced every 100mm, tensioned between terminal posts.
Typical configuration:
- 3 rows at 150mm vertical spacing
- Top row starts 50mm down from the top of the post
- Mounted through punched holes or notches at the post tops, or on angled extension arms
Razor wire
Razor wire is used in correctional, military and critical infrastructure environments. It is extremely difficult to climb or cut and comes in two configurations.
Flat loop razor wire — flattened coils designed to sit on top of an existing fence or wall. Effective where space is limited, and creates an anti-climb barrier above chain-link or brick.
- 760mm (20 loops)
- 550mm (70 loops)
- 470mm (45 loops)
Concertina razor wire — continuous circular coils that expand into a dense, overlapping barrier. Common size is 550mm diameter (45 loops). Used on prisons, utility compounds and secured industrial sites, and cannot be cut through with conventional tools.
Razor wire carries genuine injury risk. Confirm local requirements on height, signage and public accessibility before installing it on any site the public can reach.
Quick reference
| Wire | Diameter | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Helicoil cable | 4.00mm | Horizontal support in rail-less systems |
| Plain wire | 3.15mm | Twin double-twisted tension cable |
| Lacing wire | 2.00mm | Lacing fabric to posts, rails and cables |
| Tie wire | 1.57mm | Light-duty ties to horizontal cables |
| Barbed wire | 1.57mm high-tensile | Deterrent above the fence line |
| Razor wire | Flat loop or concertina | High-security anti-climb topping |
Coatings
Wire products are supplied galvanised, with PVC-coated options available in some lines (for example plain wire in black PVC) to match coated chain-link fabric. Zinc and zinc/aluminium coatings on steel wire are governed by AS/NZS 4534:2006.
Common questions
What is helicoil cable used for?
Supporting chain-link fabric where there is no top rail. It runs horizontally between terminal posts and is tied to intermediate posts with lacing wire.
What is the difference between lacing wire and tie wire?
Lacing wire is 2.00mm and does the structural tying — fabric to posts, rails and cables. Tie wire is 1.57mm and handles lighter tie-offs to horizontal cables.
How far apart should netting clips be fitted?
Every 320mm, which is roughly every 4th diamond in 50mm pitch fabric.
What is the standard barbed wire configuration?
Three rows at 150mm vertical spacing, with the top row starting 50mm below the top of the post.
Flat loop or concertina razor wire?
Flat loop sits on top of an existing fence or wall and suits limited space. Concertina forms a dense free-standing coil barrier for higher-security sites.
Can I use tie wire instead of plain wire for tensioning?
No. Tensioning requires 3.15mm plain wire or 4.00mm helicoil. Tie wire has neither the diameter nor the strength and the fence will sag.