Metal Hexagrid Deer Fencing

Of all the different kinds of deer fences, the fence types that we prefer employ metal hexagrid fencing. Made of galvanized steel wires coated with black pvc, metal hexagrid fencing is more expensive than polypropylene but less visible, longer lasting, and stronger–indeed, strong enough to meet the building code requirements for swimming pool fence in most places. It is not so strong as 14-gauge welded wire fencing, but is less visible, less expensive, and better able to handle uneven ground.

This metal deer fencing ends all penetrations. Charging deer cannot punch through this fence type, nor can small animals make holes in it. Indeed, it is made from the same, pvc-coated 1-inch hexagrid material that professional installers use to gird the lower reaches of polypropylene fences against small animal attacks and to repair polypropylene fences that have been penetrated by small animals and deer. And it is plenty tall, with a working height of 7 or 7.5 feet, to effectively exclude white-tail and other deer.

Another advantage of this fence type is relative invisibility. It employs 20-gauge wire, which is thinner than the polypropylene strands of  “invisible” plastic fences. Hence, it has very low visibility for both deer and people.

Other advantages: the metal hexagrid fence is less likely to be torn down or damaged by falling limbs. It is also very durable, having an expected life of 20+ years-about twice the average expected life of most polypropylene fencing. It thus provides a better and stronger solution to the deer problem than polypropylene.

On the down side, this fence type is relatively expensive. However, those who can afford a good-looking and nearly invisible metal fence-including those who are just plain tired of repairing and replacing polypropylene – will find metal hexagrid fencing the best choice.

Deer Fence Types Using Polypropylene Fencing

All deer fencing is not the same by any means. Occasionally people build deer fences with polypropylene plastic that is too weak–so that even a very minor assault will burst right through. Obviously, that’s not a good idea. The polypropylene fencing that we sell is very tough–being one or another of the types used by seasoned deer fence installers who know their stuff.

The traditional maker of strong polypropylene deer fencing is a firm named Tenax, which produces fencing with rounded strands. More recently, alternative types with an extra reinforcing strand at the bottom have emerged that have slightly flatter strands but are just as strong.

Three grades of this fencing are suited to deer control. The least expensive, called “Heavy Duty Reinforced” or Tenax C-flex Select” has a breaking strength of 650+ pounds per foot. It is good for fencing places that deer can be trained away from fairly easily, areas where direct, high-impact assaults are unlikely.

Our intermediate grades of poly deer fencing, referred to as “Extra Strength Reinforced” and “Tenax C-flex Premium,” have a breaking strength of 750+ pounds per linear foot. These are significantly stronger and better able to take punishment.

 Our strongest grade of poly deer fencing, known by the names of “Maximum Strength Reinforced” and “Tenax C-flex Pro” has a breaking strength of 950+ pounds per linear foot. It is thus significantly stronger than the other two grades but also more visible. It is the best polypropylene choice where one is seeking to cope with such things as deer moving along established paths and heavy deer incursions.

Welded Wire Deer Fencing

We also offer 14-gauge black welded wire fencing in 6 and 8-foot heights with 2 x 4-inch mesh. This fencing is useful for excluding elk. All of this welded wire fencing is stronger than our metal hexagrid fencing but also more visible, more rigid, and less amenable to dealing with ground irregularities.

Kinds of Deer Fences Using Plastic Fencing with a Metal Skirt

As noted, the Achilles heel of polypropylene deer fences is their vulnerability to small animals making holes later enlarged by deer. That can be prevented by installing full-height polypropylene deer fencing combined with a two-foot skirt of metal hexagrid fencing. And since many plastic deer fences will eventually be penetrated by small creatures and repaired with lengths of low metal fencing anyway, starting out with a low metal barrier as part of the fence system where rabbits and/or ground hogs abound is sound practice.

Installing such a metal hexagrid skirt also makes good sense if you already have a polypropylene fence in place (with or without a bottom flap) but the deer are getting in–either because the fence is not properly secured at the bottom or because small creatures are making holes which are then enlarged by the deer. If your fence type has no bottom flap, putting on the metal skirt gives you an opportunity to add one–simply turn the bottom 6 inches of the metal skirt outward and tie it down firmly with ground stakes spaced 6 feet or so apart. By matching the skirt’s width to the highest level of damaged plastic (the skirts come in various widths) one can repair all of the existing damage while creating a secure fence.