Installing Hardware Cloth?

[ZaneyMama]

Is there a trick to getting it tight? I am using 1/2" x 1/2" hardware cloth with screws and washers to attach it to 4x4 posts, but it is very difficult to get it tight and it looks terrible in some places. It's functional, but not very good looking.

Thanks!

 

[Camelot Farms]

We use staples and its always nice and tight but we are stapling to a flat surface. Could it be the round post thats throwing you off a bit?

 

[gjpaddles]

Staples gun works best.

 

[ZaneyMama]

The posts are 4" x 4" square, so the surface is flat. The wire is just sort of wavy and not taught in some places.

Thanks!

 

[Intheswamp]

I thought that for predator protection that staples are usually not recommended for attaching hardware cloth. ????

Ed

 

[adeechickluv]

I use the staple gun as well.

 

[QuackerOats]

Predators can easily tear out staples. There easy to install and easy to undo by anything!

To keep them attached properly, you can use screws and fender washers.

 

[lorieMN]

if your post dont have rails it will look crappy..they need a top and bottom rail,,I usually do the center of one post,then do the top rail,then the center of the second post,then the center of the bottom,then finish the bottom,streching it with your GLOVED hands or helper,then go back and finish up the post's,streching as you go..if your post and rails are not plumb (perfectly straight) this way you can tighten it up and it will look good.I use an air stapler,,1 inch staples,a bunch of them,,any critter around here will get through the wire itself way before they pull all my staples out.

 

[Sammimom]

It is tough. I did use screws and washers, and every time I see a raccoon checking out the coop I'm glad I did! You might try stapling it to get it still and in place, then adding the screws and washers.

 

[sillybirds]

You need to put some tension on the fencing to keep it taut. I used a kind of makeshift "come-along" to help me install the portions of my fencing that I did by myself. I used a ratcheting tie down with one end attached to the fencing and another to a fence post. You'll have to figure out how to attach it to the hardware cloth. Perhaps you could weave a piece of thin re-bar or the like in the hardware cloth to provide an attachment point.

I used a combination of 1 1/4 inch (if I recall correctly) staples driven by a pneumatic staple gun and interspersed washers for reinforcement to install my hardware cloth. I have not had any break-in's (or escapes!).