Galvanized Before Weave
Premium quality Red Brand Galvanized Apron Fence, manufactured by Keystone Steel and Wire in Peoria, IL, is the only 17 gauge, 1-1/2" heavy hexagonal netting made in the USA. The wire used is fully dimensional 17 gauge, on the high end of the acceptable tollerance limit.
Keystone makes this roll as Galvanized Before Weld (GBW) material. They weave previously galvanized 17 gauge wire into the 1-1/2" hex netting. 17 gauge (.054") is much heavier than the standard 20 gauge (.0348") used in weaving standard chicken wire. Consequently it is a much stronger product and will last a lot longer.
Red Brand Apron Fence is available in two roll sizes: 60"x150' (48" high with a 12" apron) and 72"x150' (60" high with a 12" apron). The roll is made with a single line wire running the length of the roll, 12" up from the bottom. This wire acts as a guide line when you are bending the 12" section out 90 degrees to form the apron.
Vinyl Coated
Keystone does not have the ability to vinyl coat their Apron Fence. It 60" rolls are sent to another quality US mill to be custom coated. This mill specializes in vinyl coating all types of wire mesh, including mesh used in building lobster traps. Here a high quality, thick and flexible coating of UV treated Black PVC is tightly bonded to the wire mesh. The coating is so tightly bonded that it resists scraping. It cannot be easily scraped off with a fingernail. And it will not peel off easily.
The finished product is first quality in every respect. Expected lifetime is hard to predict. Local environmental conditions in the air, soil and rain have an impact on the length of time fencing material will last. These conditions vary enormously from one part of the country to another.
Knowing the material is produced by two of the leading mills in the United States can give you confidence that this product is the highest quality available. The extra handling and shipping involved in moving the material from one mill to the other does add to the cost. But the quality and endurance is there in every roll and speaks for itself.
Using the fence
Vinyl coated Apron Fence is very easy to use. The smooth finish makes it easy to handle and install. The unique 12" apron prevents animals from burrowoing under the fence, keeping raccoons, foxes and other predators out of birds and pets in. The apron can be turnd in either direction - to the outside to make a barrier or to the inside to make a pen.
Installation is easy since there is no need to dig a trench. Bend the mesh along the guide line. Just lay the apron on top of the ground so that vegetation grows up through it. This will securely anchor it in place. Digging animals will start at the fence itself, not realizing they have to start 12" away with their digging. This is a very effective barrier.
There are many uses for Apron Fence as a perimeter fence, such as:
- Many individuals and clubs use it to fence in training pens for their beagles. Due to the high qualty of the product, replacement and repair costs and concerns are kept to a minumum.
- It makes an ideal fence around a garden. The black color of the vinyl makes the mesh virtually invisible against the background. You can get an unrestricted view of your garden.
- Vinyl coated Apron Fence has been used in building game bird pens. The black color is a visibility advantage here as well.
If you are looking for a quality product that can provide an attractive, secure barrier on the ground surface as well as vertcally, consider using vinyl coated Apron Fence.
