I haven't had a problem with either type of hardware cloth here, after many years, on the coop windows. For our run section, we added 2"x 4" woven wire fencing along the lower 4', over the hardware cloth, all attached with fencing staples, and then 1"x 4" boards screwed into the framing.
We don't have bears, at least not yet.
Mary
We don't have bears, at least not yet.
Mary