To measure the mesh size and determine the typical wire gauge of a chain link fence, you need to measure the diagonal distance of one of the diamond-shaped openings.
Understanding the mesh size is important as it relates to the wire's thickness, or gauge. The provided reference focuses specifically on how to measure the diagonal of the mesh opening (inside measurements) to infer the wire gauge.
Steps to Measure Chain Link Mesh Diagonally
Follow these simple steps to measure the diagonal size of the chain link mesh:
- Locate a single diamond-shaped opening within the fence fabric.
- Using a measuring tape or ruler, measure the distance diagonally across the opening.
- Ensure you measure from the inside of the wire on one corner to the inside of the wire on the opposite diagonal corner. Do not measure from outside edge to outside edge.
Determining Wire Gauge from Diagonal Measurement
Once you have the diagonal measurement of the mesh opening, you can use the following guide, based on the provided reference, to estimate the typical wire gauge of the fence fabric:
| Diagonal Inside Measurement | Typical Wire Gauge |
|---|---|
| 2 inches | 9 or 11 |
| 2 1/4 inches | 11 1/2, 12, or 12 1/2 |
| 2 3/8 inches | 11 1/2, 12, or 12 1/2 |
Note: Wire gauge is a measure of wire thickness; generally, a smaller gauge number indicates a thicker wire.
By measuring the diagonal inside measurement of your chain link fence mesh, you can quickly determine the common wire gauge used in its construction, as indicated by these standard measurements.
