16 September 2026

Which rural mesh should you buy? Start with these five decisions

Choose the materialsBuyer’s guide3 minute read

Two rolls can look nearly identical online and still build different fences. This is how to narrow the choice without being led by a product name or a cheap roll price.

The short answer

Choose for the animals, the openings, the finished height, the ground and the complete fence system. Only then compare price using the same specification and a useful unit, such as cost per metre supplied.

Write the animal and pressure brief

Include the smallest animals involved, not just adult stock. Decide whether the run is an internal division, a boundary beside a road, a holding area or an exclusion fence. The cost of an escape and the pressure on a fence are not the same in each situation.

A quiet internal division

Consider routine stock movement, existing fencing and how a new line fits the paddock layout.

A high-pressure place

Pay particular attention to gateways, feed, water and handling areas. The surrounding layout can matter as much as the roll.

An exclusion boundary

Look at routes under, through and over the fence, plus gates, drains and tie-ins. Mesh height alone is not the whole solution.

Read the openings, not just the height

The code 8/90/15 describes eight horizontal wires, 90cm mesh height and 15cm vertical stay spacing. It does not describe every rectangular opening. The spacing between horizontal wires can vary up the fence, so ask for the actual line-spacing chart.

That matters when comparing two meshes of the same height. A narrower stay spacing changes one dimension of the opening. It does not automatically change the vertical gaps, the coating, the post spacing or the suitability for a particular animal.

Compare the construction and wire specification

Use one comparison sheet for every shortlisted roll
Ask for	Why it matters
Joint construction	Hinged joint and fixed knot are different constructions, not just price grades.
Horizontal and vertical wire diameters	A single headline diameter may not describe every wire.
Tensile grades	Grade and diameter are different properties.
Coating specification	“Galvanised” alone is not a complete coating comparison.
Roll length and handling information	The cheapest roll may cover less ground or be harder to handle with your equipment.

Outback’s confirmed hinged joint specification is 2.50mm wire throughout, with high-tensile horizontal wires and medium-tensile vertical wires, and 260g/m² galvanised coating. Read the exact current product listing for the mesh code and roll length; do not transfer that specification to another construction or brand.

Match the roll to the whole fence

Allow for end assemblies, line supports, joins, clips, gates and the bottom edge. An existing weak strainer does not become sound when you attach new mesh. Sloping, rocky or wet areas may require separate decisions instead of one uniform specification for the whole property.

Send this brief when asking for a recommendation

Print this page and fill in the blanks. Keep it with your photos and quote.

Animals to contain / exclude: ________________________________
Boundary, internal or holding-area use: ________________________________
Run lengths, gates and ground photos: ________________________________
Required height and opening concerns: ________________________________
Existing posts or assemblies to reuse: ________________________________
Equipment for unloading and handling: ________________________________

Compare the final order, not a headline

Compare like-for-like quantities including any roll rounding, spare posts, fixings and freight. If one quote includes installation and the other is materials only, a dollars-per-metre figure makes them look comparable when they are not.

Before you leave this guide

The right question is not “what is your best mesh?” It is “which complete fence suits this run, these animals and this ground?”

Now compare the rolls themselves

Use the specification, roll length and current listing together. Send the team your fence sketch if you need help narrowing the order.

Compare hinged joint mesh

Sources & scope

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.