MESH MADE IN ORANGE NSW
15cm or 30cm stays: what changes in the mesh?
The difference is the width between upright wires within the mesh. It is not a change to steel-post spacing, and it does not tell you every opening is square.
The short answer
With everything else held equal, 15cm stays halve the nominal stay pitch compared with 30cm stays. The clear gap also depends on wire thickness, so its exact width is not simply halved. The vertical opening heights still depend on the horizontal-line pattern. Compare those two dimensions separately.
Imagine the same 60cm strip of fence
15cm stays
Four intervals across 60cm.
30cm stays
Two intervals across 60cm.
| Stay pitch | Intervals | Positions incl. edges |
|---|---|---|
| 15cm | 4 | 5 |
| 30cm | 2 | 3 |
The boundary stays in this teaching example are shared if another strip continues beside it. Do not use the table as a manufacturing wire-count formula for a whole roll. Its purpose is to make the difference in opening width visible.
What the closer pattern can—and cannot—tell you
A narrower opening width may be relevant when you are planning for smaller animals or a particular containment problem. Suitability still depends on the other opening dimension, the finished height, ground gaps, gates and the animal involved. “15cm” alone is not an animal-proof specification.
It tells you
The nominal spacing between vertical mesh stays, under the stated code convention.
It does not tell you
Steel-post spacing, mesh height, roll length, coating, every aperture dimension or an automatic strength rating.
Make the price comparison fair
Compare rolls with the same line count, nominal height, wire specification and roll length before attributing a price difference to stay spacing. If one roll is shorter or uses different wire, you are comparing more than one variable.
15cm versus 30cm comparison
Print this page and fill in the blanks. Keep it with your photos and quote.
- Animal / purpose / existing problem
- ________________________________
- Mesh codes being compared
- ________________________________
- Horizontal-gap chart for each
- ________________________________
- Wire diameters, grades and coating
- ________________________________
- Same supplied length and purchase quantities
- ________________________________
- Complete fence and delivery requirements
- ________________________________
Use the bottom edge and gateways as a reality check
A closer stay pattern does not fix an open space under a gate or a washout beneath the fence. Walk those transitions before deciding that changing the whole mesh specification is the answer. If the concern is a digging route, assess the ground-edge system separately from opening width.
Before you leave this guide
Compare opening width and opening height as two separate dimensions. Then check the places where the mesh stops or leaves the ground.
Read the specification beside the price
Compare mesh code, wire specification and roll length together. If a detail is missing, get it confirmed before ordering.
See the hinged joint rangeSources & 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.