What is Chain-link Fencing?

Chain-link fencing is a woven steel mesh used for boundary, containment and security fencing. In Australia you will also hear it called chainwire, chainmesh or cyclone fencing — all four terms describe the same product. Lengths of wire are bent into a continuous zig-zag and woven through the adjoining wire, producing a diamond-shaped mesh that can be rolled, transported and tensioned along a post line.

The result is a fence that is strong, see-through, cheap per metre and repairable in sections. It is the default choice wherever you need a durable perimeter without the cost of solid panels.

Where chain-link is used

• Residential: boundary fencing, pet enclosures, pool surrounds
• Commercial: storage yards, car parks, industrial perimeters
• Recreational: tennis courts, cricket nets, schools, playgrounds
• Security: warehouses, substations, airports, correctional facilities

The four things that define a chain-link fabric

Every roll of chain-link is described by four variables. Get these right and the order is right.

1. Pitch (diamond size)

Pitch is the width of the diamond aperture. Smaller pitch means a tighter mesh, more wire per square metre and a higher price — but also less pass-through.

• 50mm — the standard for most commercial and residential work
• 45mm — tennis courts; stops balls lodging in the mesh when struck at speed
• 40mm — cricket nets and sports impact fencing
• 32mm — golf course fencing
• 25mm — window screens and vermin barriers

2. Wire diameter

Wire diameter drives the strength and service life of the fence more than any other variable.

• 2.50mm (light duty) — temporary fencing and domestic use
• 3.15mm (heavy duty) — the recommendation for permanent, high-impact sites such as schools and industrial yards. Roughly 40% stronger than 2.50mm with a correspondingly longer lifespan
• 4.00mm (extra heavy duty) — high-security and correctional facility applications

3. Selvedge

The selvedge is how the wire ends are finished at the top and bottom edge of the roll. Knuckled ends are turned back on themselves and are smooth to touch; barbed ends are left cut and twisted, forming a deterrent.

• Knuckled Knuckled (KK) — smooth top and bottom. Supplied as standard on all stock fabric
• Knuckled Barbed (KB) — smooth one edge, barbed the other. Available as a stock item on request
• Barbed Barbed (BB) — barbed both edges. Available, but not held as standard stock

Use KB or BB where you want additional deterrent at the top of the fence. Avoid barbed selvedge at ground level in areas used by children or animals.

4. Coating and finish

• Standard Galvanised (W02Z) — the budget option, with a correspondingly shorter lifespan
• Heavy Galvanised (W10Z) — a heavier zinc coating for longer corrosion resistance
• PVC Coated — a polymer sleeve over galvanised wire, in Black or Evergreen. Protective and better looking
• Fusion Bonded — a highly durable bonded coating suited to coastal and sporting sites, in Black or White

Standard stock sizes

All stock rolls are supplied in 10m lengths with KK selvedge.

Heavy Galvanised (W10Z), 50mm pitch

Black PVC coated, 50mm pitch

Stocked in 2.5mm across the same eight heights (900mm to 3600mm). 3.15mm is made to order. Green PVC is available in the same heights.

Fusion Bonded, 50mm pitch

Stocked in both 2.5mm and 3.15mm across the same eight heights. White Fusion Bonded is stocked in 3.15mm only; 2.5mm is available in Black.

Tennis court fabric, 45mm pitch

Stocked in 3000mm and 3600mm heights, 2.5mm wire, in Heavy Galvanised and Black PVC. 3.15mm is made to order. KB and BB selvedge are not offered as standard stock on 45mm pitch. Green PVC and Fusion Bonded are available by order.

How to specify an order

State all five of the following and there is no ambiguity:

1. Height (e.g. 1800mm)
2. Pitch / diamond size (e.g. 50mm)
3. Wire diameter (e.g. 3.15mm)
4. Selvedge (e.g. KK)
5. Coating (e.g. Heavy Galvanised W10Z)

Example: 1800mm x 50mm pitch x 3.15mm x KK x Heavy Galvanised, 10m roll.

Ordering tips

• Measure fence height at the middle of the roll, not at the peaks or valleys of the diamonds
• Specify heavy diameter wire for permanent or high-traffic applications — the price difference is small relative to the service life gained
• Confirm the pitch matches any existing fence, gates or posts you are tying into
• Choose KB or BB selvedge where added deterrent is required
• Non-stock finishes and pitch sizes are available by order — allow lead time

Relevant Australian Standards

• AS 1725.1-2010 — Chain link fabric fencing: security fences and gates
• AS 1725.2-2010 — Tennis court fencing (commercial)
• AS 1725.3-2010 — Tennis court fencing (private / residential)
• AS 1725.4-2010 — Cricket net fencing enclosures
• AS 1725.5-2010 — Sports ground fencing
• AS/NZS 4534:2006 — Zinc and zinc/aluminium-alloy coatings on steel wire

Common questions

Is chainwire the same as chain-link?

Yes. Chainwire, chainmesh and cyclone fencing are all names for the same woven steel mesh product.

What height should I use?

1200mm to 1800mm covers most boundary and commercial work. Sports and security applications typically run 2400mm to 3600mm.

Which wire diameter should I choose?

2.50mm for temporary or domestic fencing, 3.15mm for anything permanent, 4.00mm for high-security sites.

Can I get colours other than black and green?

PVC is stocked in Black and Evergreen; Fusion Bonded in Black and White. Other finishes are available by order.

How long does a roll cover?

Stock rolls are 10m long, so one roll covers 10 linear metres of fence line before allowing for overlap at terminations.