Do you need to mark out a pasture, protect a vegetable garden, or simply create a secure enclosure for your animals? Sheep fencing, also known as knotted mesh or Ursus fencing, is the ideal solution for its robustness and progressive mesh. While the task may seem daunting, rest assured: with the right method and suitable equipment, installing sheep fencing is entirely achievable. Follow our expert advice for a successful, durable installation without any hassle.
Prepare Your Ground and Equipment Properly Before Starting
A successful installation always begins with careful preparation. The first step is to define precisely the route of your future fence. Clear and clean the installation line by removing brush, stones, and anything that might obstruct it. Once the ground is clear, measure the total length required and mark the position of each post using small markers on the ground.
To carry out your project successfully, you will need to gather the right equipment. Quality materials are the key to a fence that lasts over time. Make sure you have everything to hand before you begin:
- Sufficient rolls of sheep fencing.
- T-posts or wooden posts for intermediate posts.
- Sturdier corner posts, also in T or wood.
- Bracing struts to reinforce the start, corner, and end posts.
- Tension wire and tensioners (strainers).
- Staples (for wooden posts) or tie wire (for T-posts).
- A sledgehammer, pliers, a spirit level, and a digging bar for making holes.
Installing the Posts: The Key Step for a Solid Fence
The strength of your fence depends entirely on the quality of the post installation. This is the framework of your installation. Start with the most important posts: those at the corners, start, and end. They must be set deeper and systematically reinforced with one or two bracing struts to counter the tension of the fencing. For optimal stability, drive the posts approximately one-third of their height into the ground.
Once the ends are well anchored, you can install the intermediate posts. The recommended spacing is generally between 2.5 meters and 3 meters. Use a line stretched between your corner posts to ensure perfect alignment. Check the verticality of each post with a spirit level before fixing it permanently. A row of straight and solid posts is the guarantee of an impeccable final result.
Install Tension Wires for Fencing That Does Not Deform
Tension wires are essential to ensure your sheep fencing remains perfectly taut over the years, without sagging. Depending on the height of your fencing, you will need two to three rows of wire: one at the top, one at the bottom, and possibly one in the middle. Attach one end of the tension wire to a corner post, then unroll it to the other end of the line.
Install a tensioner (or strainer) a few dozen centimeters from the end post for each wire. This accessory will allow you to put the wire under tension using a flat wrench. Tighten the wires until they are straight and no longer have any “sag,” but without forcing excessively to avoid weakening the corner posts.
Unroll and Attach the Sheep Fencing to the Posts
It is time to install the fencing. Start at a corner or starting post. Unroll the first coil of the roll and attach it securely to the post using several pieces of tie wire. Make sure the fencing is properly positioned in height, with the tightest mesh at the bottom to prevent small animals from passing through.
Then unroll your fencing along the line of posts, holding it against the tension wires. Attach it provisionally to each intermediate post, without tensioning it yet. This loose attachment will allow you to adjust the tension evenly along the entire length afterward.
How to Properly Tension Your Fencing for Maximum Effectiveness?
Tensioning is the step that makes all the difference between an amateur fence and a professional installation. Once the fencing is unrolled and pre-attached, go to the end post. Insert a tension bar (a flat and solid metal bar) into the mesh of the fencing, approximately one meter from the post. This bar is what you will pull on to tension the entire sheet.
Using a come-along, a hoist, or even a vehicle if the length is significant, pull gently and gradually on the tension bar. The fencing will tighten along its entire length. The “crimps” or “tension springs” present on the horizontal wires of the fencing will slightly flatten: this is the sign that the tension is correct. Once the ideal tension is reached, permanently attach the fencing to the end post, then to all the intermediate posts. You can then remove the tension bar and cut off the excess fencing.
Finishing Touches for a Perfect and Durable Installation
Your fence is now installed! Take the time to do a final inspection. Check that all the attachments are properly tightened and that the fencing is correctly pressed against each post. Cut off any protruding wire ends for a clean and safe finish.
Using professional-quality materials, such as those we offer at Districlos, is the best guarantee of the longevity of your installation. A properly installed fence with good products will ensure you peace of mind for many years, effectively protecting your animals and your plots.
Expert in fencing, gates, and outdoor landscaping since 2019.
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