Choosing the right fencing wire is about more than simply marking out your property. The right fence helps keep animals safely contained, protects livestock and can provide a stronger barrier against unwanted visitors.
At Kingstons Rural Supplies, we stock quality fencing products from Waratah, Angas, GalMAX and Cyclone to suit a range of rural fencing needs. Whether you are fencing a backyard for the dogs, building a safe paddock for horses or protecting livestock from wild dogs, understanding the differences between hinge joint fencing options can help you choose the right product for your property.
What Is Hinge Joint Fencing?
Hinge joint fencing is a popular choice for rural properties, farms and lifestyle blocks. It consists of horizontal line wires joined to vertical wires, creating a mesh that can flex under pressure while helping the fence maintain its shape.
It is available in different heights, wire strengths and mesh spacings to suit different applications.
You will often see fencing sizes written as 8/90/15, 12/120/15 or 13/115/15. These numbers describe the construction of the fence:
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First number: The number of horizontal line wires.
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Second number: The approximate fence height in centimetres.
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Third number: The vertical picket spacing in centimetres.
For example, an 8/90/15 fence has eight horizontal wires, is approximately 900mm high and has vertical pickets spaced at 150mm intervals.
It is important to remember that strand count alone does not determine how strong or suitable a fence will be. Fence height, mesh openings, wire diameter, tensile strength and knot design all play a part.
8-Strand Hinge Joint Fencing: A Practical All-Rounder
Eight-strand hinge joint fencing is a popular option for general rural fencing where a practical, versatile barrier is required.
Depending on the specific mesh configuration, it can suit property boundaries, livestock paddocks and general stock containment. Closer vertical picket spacing can also make it useful for containing larger dogs, provided the openings are appropriate for the size of the animals.
Best suited to:
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General rural boundary fencing.
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Livestock paddocks and stock containment.
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Lifestyle properties needing a versatile fencing option.
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Some dog fencing applications where mesh size and fence height are suitable.
What to consider: An eight-strand fence is not automatically suitable for every dog. Smaller dogs may squeeze through larger openings, while determined dogs may dig underneath or climb over the fence. Check the mesh openings near ground level and consider the height and behaviour of your dog before choosing.
For general dog fencing, a dedicated dog mesh with smaller openings may be a better choice than standard livestock hinge joint wire.
12-Strand Hinge Joint Fencing: More Mesh for Dog Containment
Twelve-strand fencing provides additional horizontal wires and is available in configurations designed for dog containment and other applications requiring closer mesh spacing.
For example, Angas Max-Loc Dog Fence is available in a 12/120/15 configuration. This provides 12 horizontal wires, a height of approximately 1.2 metres and 150mm vertical picket spacing.
The graduated mesh pattern can help reduce the size of openings in the lower section, making it a useful option for containing dogs of different sizes. The exact mesh pattern should always be checked against the needs of your animals.
Best suited to:
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General dog fencing on residential and rural properties.
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Lifestyle blocks and yards.
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Dog containment where a dedicated dog mesh is preferred.
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Properties needing a taller fence with more horizontal wires than a basic eight-strand option.
What to consider: A 1.2-metre fence may not be high enough for dogs that jump or climb. Smaller dogs may also need tighter mesh openings than those found in standard field fencing. If your dog is a persistent digger, additional ground-level protection may be necessary.
13-Strand Hinge Joint Fencing: Designed for More Demanding Applications
Thirteen-strand fencing is available in specialised mesh configurations for applications that require more closely spaced wires or a higher level of exclusion.
Options such as Angas Max-Loc Wild Dog Mesh are designed for wild dog protection. Other specialised products are available for equine fencing, where small mesh openings help reduce the risk of horses stepping through or becoming caught in the fence.
Best suited to:
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Wild dog exclusion fencing when the product is designed for that purpose.
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Livestock protection in areas affected by predators.
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Selected equine fencing applications where the mesh pattern is appropriate.
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Properties requiring specialised mesh rather than standard field fencing.
What to consider: Thirteen strands alone do not guarantee wild dog protection or horse safety. The actual mesh configuration, fence height, wire specifications and installation method are critical. For wild dog exclusion, the fence may also need a ground apron, suitable post spacing and additional height or other measures depending on the site.
For horses, look for a purpose-designed equine mesh with small vertical openings and an appropriate wire construction, rather than choosing a product based on strand count alone.
Which Fence Is Right for Your Property?
The best choice depends on what you are trying to keep in, what you need to keep out and the conditions your fence will face.
1. General Dog Fencing
For everyday dog containment, start by considering your dog's size, jumping ability and tendency to dig.
A dedicated dog mesh, such as an appropriate 12-strand configuration, can be a practical option for many properties. Smaller dogs may require tighter openings, while larger or more athletic dogs may need a taller fence.
Before choosing, check:
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The size of the mesh openings, particularly at ground level.
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The fence height required for your dog.
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Whether the fence needs extra protection against digging.
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The durability and wire specifications needed for your property.
2. Equine Mesh Fencing
Horse fencing requires particular care because horses can injure themselves if they become entangled in wire or put a leg through an opening.
Purpose-designed equine mesh generally features smaller vertical openings to help reduce the risk of horses stepping through the fence. Knot design, wire tensile strength and flexibility also matter.
For horses, look for:
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Small vertical mesh openings.
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A smooth knot design without protruding sharp edges.
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Wire construction appropriate for equine use.
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A fence height suitable for the horses and paddock.
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A well-installed fence that remains properly tensioned.
A purpose-built horse mesh may be a better choice than standard eight- or twelve-strand field fencing, even if the standard product has a similar number of horizontal wires.
3. Wild Dog Protection Fencing
Where wild dogs threaten sheep, goats or other livestock, standard boundary fencing may not provide enough protection.
Wild dog exclusion fencing needs to address more than the mesh itself. Fence height, mesh openings, resistance to animals pushing through and protection against digging underneath are all important.
A specialised 13-strand wild dog mesh may be suitable for some properties, while more demanding exclusion projects may require a taller fence with an apron or another ground-level barrier.
Consider:
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A purpose-designed wild dog exclusion mesh.
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Suitable fence height and mesh openings.
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A ground apron or buried barrier to help prevent digging underneath.
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Appropriate posts, stays and tensioning.
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Regular inspections and maintenance to identify gaps or damage.
For serious wild dog pressure, seek advice on a complete exclusion fencing system rather than relying on strand count alone.
Quality Fencing from Trusted Brands
At Kingstons Rural Supplies, we stock fencing options from leading names to help you find a solution for your property.
Waratah offers a range of prefabricated fencing products, including Stocksafe-T Longlife Blue, with options designed for livestock containment, horse safety and feral animal exclusion.
Angas Max-Loc features a smooth knot design intended to reduce injury risks, with products available for field fencing, dog containment, horse fencing and wild dog protection.
GalMAX offers traditional and specialised fencing options, including Max-Loc field, horse and feral animal exclusion mesh.
Cyclone supplies hinge joint fencing in a range of standard configurations for general rural fencing applications.
Each brand offers different products and specifications, so it pays to compare the actual mesh pattern, wire strength, fence height and intended application before making a decision.
Need Help Choosing the Right Fencing Wire?
Whether you are replacing an old boundary fence, keeping your dogs safely contained, fencing a horse paddock or protecting livestock from wild dogs, choosing the right mesh can make a real difference.
The best place to start is by identifying the animals you need to contain or exclude and the level of protection your property requires.
Visit Kingstons Rural Supplies and talk to our team about your fencing needs. We can help you compare available Waratah, Angas Max-Loc, GalMAX and Cyclone options to find a suitable product for your property.
Get the right fencing wire for the job and build a fence that works for your animals, your land and your budget.