1 Six Parameters You Control
These are the dimensions we adjust on every custom order. You can change one of them or all six — we'll build a compliant specification around your requirements.
Fence Height
Standard heights run from 700 mm to 1 900 mm. Go lower for aquatic or specialty use, higher for exclusion or security fencing. Tell us the animal and the pressure, and we'll recommend the right height.
Number of Line Wires
More line wires = denser fabric and higher vertical load distribution. Critical for small livestock, vermin exclusion, or deer. Fewer wires reduce cost where pressure is low and aperture size is less critical.
Stay Spacing
Vertical stays hold fence shape and resist stock pressure. 300 mm is standard for cattle and sheep. 150 mm for goats and high-pressure use. 100 mm or less for pigs and vermin exclusion.
Wire Diameter
Heavier gauge increases breaking load and impact resistance — suited for deer, cattle pressure, or perimeter security. Lighter gauge reduces roll weight and cost where livestock pressure is moderate.
Coating Type & Class
Zinc coating mass is the biggest driver of service life. W10 (≈ 240 g/m²) is our standard baseline. Coastal and high-humidity sites — most of NZ and AU coastal regions — should step up to Zn-Al or W15+.
Roll Length
Standard rolls are 100 m or 200 m. Short rolls (25–50 m) reduce offcuts on irregular paddocks. Long rolls (250–500 m) cut installation joins and handling time on large stations.
2 How to Read a Fence Designation
Every fixed knot fence product — standard or custom — is described by a three-part designation. Once you understand it, you can specify exactly what you need, or verify that a product matches your requirements.
Custom designations
A custom order simply uses non-standard numbers in the same format. If you need a 1 200 mm fence with 10 line wires and 150 mm stays, the designation becomes 10/120/15. We quote, produce, and certify it exactly like any standard size — the AS 2423 compliance doesn't change.
3 Choose by Application
Match your livestock, terrain, and environment to a starting specification. These are recommended baselines — we refine them with you based on site conditions, paddock size, and pressure levels.
| Animal / Application | Height | Stay Spacing | Min. Wire Ø | Coating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheep — boundary | 800 – 900 mm | 300 mm | 2.5 mm | HDG W10 |
| Sheep & Cattle — mixed stock | 900 mm | 300 mm | 2.5 mm | HDG W10 |
| Cattle only — paddock | 900 mm | 300 mm | 3.0 mm | HDG W10 |
| Goats | 1 000 – 1 150 mm | 150 mm | 2.5 mm | HDG W10 |
| Pigs | 900 – 1 000 mm | 100 mm | 3.0 mm | HDG W10 |
| Equine (horses) | 1 200 – 1 500 mm | 100 mm | 3.0 mm | HDG W10 |
| Deer | 1 800 – 1 900 mm | 150 – 300 mm | 2.5 mm | HDG W10 |
| Wild dogs & foxes | 900 – 1 150 mm | 100 – 150 mm | 2.5 mm | HDG W10 |
| Kangaroo exclusion | 1 500 – 1 800 mm | 150 mm | 2.5 mm | HDG W10 |
| Coastal AU / all NZ sites | As required | As required | 2.5 mm | Zn-Al recommended |
| Large station — long spans | 900 mm | 300 mm | 3.0 mm HT | HDG W10 |
| Non-standard / special project | Custom | Custom | Specify | Discuss with us |
Australia Corrosion Zones — Wire Coating Guide (AS/NZS 4534)
Not sure which coating is right for your location? Find your corrosion category and see the recommended HDG or Zn-Al class for your site.
4 Coating — The Most Important Decision
Coating is the single biggest driver of long-term fence value. Get the coating right for your environment and the fence lasts decades. Under-specify it and you're replacing the fence in half the time.
We offer two coating systems, both manufactured to AS/NZS 4534:
- Pure zinc coating to AS/NZS 4534
- Available in Class W7, W10, or W15
- W10 (≈ 240 g/m²) recommended as minimum for rural use
- Proven 25–40 year service life in standard inland environments
- Lower unit cost — best value for most AU inland paddocks
- W15 available for moderately aggressive or high-value installations
- Zinc / 10% aluminium alloy coating per AS/NZS 4534
- 2–3× longer service life than HDG in aggressive environments
- Superior adhesion at knot joints — resists chipping under load
- Recommended across most of New Zealand
- Essential for coastal AU, high humidity, and acid soils
- Higher upfront cost — lower total lifetime cost per metre
Above-standard coating mass available
For critical infrastructure or unusually aggressive environments, we can specify coating mass above the standard W15 class. Share your site conditions and we'll advise the right specification.
5 How a Custom Order Works
Custom specifications go through the same production and QC process as our standard range — the only difference is the dimensions. Here's how the process runs from enquiry to delivery.
Tell Us Your Requirements
Share your animal type, paddock environment, required height, coating preference, and approximate quantity. Rough figures are fine — we'll help refine them.
We Propose a Specification
Within 24 hours we'll come back with a recommended designation, coating class, and roll options — all AS 4534 & AS 2423 compliant. We'll also flag any alternatives worth considering.
Sample Before You Commit
We ship a sample roll to your location. Check the gauge, joint quality, and coating feel before approving the full production run. No obligation until you're satisfied.
Production & Delivery
Custom production runs to your specification. Full documentation — mill certs, SGS reports, AS 2423 compliance declaration — ships with every order.
6 Request a Custom Quote
Fill in as much as you know. Even a rough requirement is enough to start — we'll review it and come back with specification options, indicative pricing, and a sample offer within 24 hours.
Not Sure Where to Start?
Tell us your animal and your environment — we'll translate that into a spec, a coating recommendation, and a quote. No obligation until you're satisfied with the sample.