MESH MADE IN ORANGE NSW
Apron mesh for digging animals: plan the whole ground edge
An apron addresses one route through a fence: underneath it. Its usefulness depends on the connection, ground contact and the weak spots beside it—not just the width of mesh you buy.
The short answer
Treat an add-on apron as part of the whole exclusion system. Confirm its mesh specification, width, orientation, attachment and anchoring, then inspect gates, drains, corners and uneven ground. No generic apron can make every fence “dog-proof”.
fenceApproach side ↓Apron along ground →
Check the connection and anchoring, then gates, drains and uneven ground.
Separate apron and integrated apron are different products
Separate add-on apron
A strip installed with an existing or new upright fence. You must specify and maintain the connection between the two.
Integrated apron
Part of a purpose-made mesh system. Its manufacturer defines how that product is formed and installed. Do not assume those details carry over to a separate strip.
As examples of that distinction, Waratah lists a separate Stocktite dog skirt at 6/51/15 in a 300m roll, while its Stocksafe-T integrated-apron range describes a 30cm apron. Those are two different products, not a universal rule that an apron must be 30cm or 51cm. They are reference examples, not Outback stock or compatibility claims.
What 6/51/15 actually tells you
Six horizontal wires create five vertical gaps. The code does not tell you that all five gaps are equal.
When that strip is used along the ground, its overall mesh height becomes the available strip width before any detail that uses part of it. Ask for the line-spacing chart: dividing 51cm by five gives an average gap of 10.2cm, not proof that every gap is 10.2cm.
Roll length is a separate decision. A 6/51/15 code can describe the mesh pattern without saying whether a supplier sells it in 100m, 200m or 300m rolls. Compare the actual listing and the number of joins your layout needs.
Walk the likely entry route
| Location | Question to resolve |
|---|---|
| Long straight section | Can the strip follow the ground without an easy lifted edge or gap? |
| Gate | What stops access below the gate and at both hinge/latch ends? |
| Corner or join | Is continuity maintained where pieces change direction or meet? |
| Drain or washout | How will water, debris and erosion affect the barrier? |
| Existing fence | Are the upright mesh and supports sound enough for the proposed attachment? |
The appropriate orientation and anchoring depend on the animal approach and the site. Have those details set by the installer. Do not turn a diagram on a shopping page into an assumed construction method.
Measure the order separately from the fence height
Add-on apron brief
Print this page and fill in the blanks. Keep it with your photos and quote.
- Animal and approach / digging side
- ________________________________
- Existing upright mesh and condition
- ________________________________
- Measured ground-edge runs
- ________________________________
- Apron code, width and chosen roll length
- ________________________________
- Attachment and anchoring method to confirm
- ________________________________
- Gate, corner, drain and join details
- ________________________________
- Joining allowance / total supplied / spare
- ________________________________
For a simple illustration, 240m of ground edge cannot be covered by one 200m roll. Two 200m rolls supply 400m before joins and waste, leaving a large potential surplus. Compare available lengths against the run schedule; do not infer an order from mesh width alone.
Before you leave this guide
An apron is a ground-edge detail, not a guarantee. The best order includes a connection and gate plan alongside the roll count.
Describe the apron you actually need
Send the code, measured ground-edge lengths and photos of the existing fence, gates and uneven sections. Ask for the current Outback options and a complete materials quote.
Ask about apron meshSources & scope
-
Waratah — Stocktite hinged joint specifications
Branded separate-skirt specification only; not an Outback range claim. -
Waratah — Stocksafe-T integrated apron
Branded integrated-apron example; installation details are product-specific. - Waratah — exclusion fence planning
This is an Outback planning guide, not a site-specific installation specification. Manufacturer references explain the subject; their branded product dimensions and methods are not automatically specifications for Outback products.
Editorial review: September 2026. Outback links identify our own product information. External sources are independent references, not endorsements. Product prices, availability and order quantities are shown on the current listings or your written quote.