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On coastal or windy sites, and on wet Essex clay, tighten centres to 2.0–2.25 m, upsize footings and use more frequent strainers. Check height limits before you start; see 2 m fence height regulations in the UK.
Use these Essex Concrete and Fencing specs for long, low‑maintenance runs. Adjust for gates, corners and steep slopes.
Wire gauge is quoted by core size. A 3.15 mm core PVC‑coated mesh finishes around 4.0–4.5 mm. Hot‑dip galvanising is the base protection; PVC over galvanised adds impact resistance and longer life for schools and courts.
For neat pet skirts and bury depths, see Rabbit and stock wire set‑ups for allotments and smallholdings in Essex. Upgrade to 3.15 mm core on long, exposed perimeters to reduce re‑tensioning and sag over time.
Set line posts at 2.5 m centres as standard. Tighten to 2.0–2.25 m on 2.4–3.0 m fences, coastal stretches and open playing fields. Use straining posts at all ends, corners and gates, and every 30 m on straights; add struts to brace load.
Footings guide (increase in soft ground): 1.2–1.8 m fences = 600–750 mm deep; 2.4–3.0 m = 750–900 mm. In Essex clays, allow deeper sockets, well‑compacted post mix and a gravel drain at the base to cut heave. See Fence post depth for Essex clay and gravel for sizing on clay and gravel. On courts, specify larger OD posts for stiffness and better rail connections.
On sandy or gravelly soils, bell the base to stop pull‑out and protect against washout. For heave‑resistant design, review Clay‑heave‑proof fencing design for Colchester soils.
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Line wire counts: 1.2 m high = top and bottom. 1.8–2.4 m = top, middle and bottom. 3.0 m courts = rigid top rail plus at least bottom and mid line wires. Use high‑tensile galvanised line wire for longevity.
Tension order: install strainers and turnbuckles, tension bottom, then middle, then top. Hang mesh and tie to line wires at 200–300 mm intervals; tie to posts every course. Finish with a final tweak on the turnbuckles. For pet runs, keep the bottom wire tight and peg down to stop lift‑up.
A rigid tubular top rail adds stiffness, resists leaning and ball impact, and cuts sag and call‑outs. It’s the right choice for courts and busy school edges. A top line wire costs less and suits long boundary runs with little contact.
A hybrid works well on budgets: use a top rail for 3–5 m either side of gates and at corners, with a line wire elsewhere. Expect lower maintenance over 10+ years with rails on high‑traffic sections, especially in windy coastal areas.
Galvanised mesh resists rust; PVC‑coated over galvanised extends life and softens ball impact. Coastal Essex (Clacton, Southend) faces salt spray—spec PVC‑coated mesh and fittings with stainless or sherardised fixings where possible. Inland clays hold moisture; PVC over galv reduces staining.
Colour: green blends with fields; black looks sharper on courts and shows less scuffing. Typical service life: inland galv 10–15 years; inland PVC over galv 15–25; coastal galv 8–12; coastal PVC over galv 15–20 with routine checks. For material choices, see Choosing fence materials in Essex.
Sizes by use: schools 1.2–1.5 m pedestrian, 3–6 m vehicle. Courts: 1.2 m single plus an equipment double. Pets: 0.9–1.2 m. Use self‑closing hinges and slam latches for schools and courts; add drop bolts and ground sockets on double leaves. Keep crush gaps under 100 mm.
Match gate infill to the fence mesh and add a low rail or kicker for pets. Heavy‑use sites need robust hinges, closers and latches—see our Field gate hinges and latches buying guide for options and setup. Choose pedestrian leaf widths that suit prams and wheelchairs, and vehicle widths that fit turning circles.
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Typical heights: schools 1.8–2.4 m; courts 2.75–3.6 m, with rebound zones sometimes higher. Domestic front gardens near highways are often limited to around 1.0 m; rear boundaries up to about 2.0 m are usually permitted.
Check safeguarding, sightlines near drives, and boundary ownership before work. For a quick overview of limits, read 2 m fence height regulations in the UK, then confirm with your local authority if in doubt.
In Colchester clay, avoid wet “soup” concrete. Use quality post mix, bell the base, and drop in a gravel layer for drainage and heave control. Keep posts plumb while the mix cures.
On exposed coasts, reduce centres, upsize posts and rails, and add more frequent strainers. On slopes, rake the mesh where possible; step only on steeper gradients and keep the bottom wire tight to the ground.
Place straining posts every 30 m, at all corners and at clear grade changes. This keeps lines straight and tension stable. On pet runs, keep the bottom wire tight and peg down to stop digging or lift‑up.
For fox‑proofing and small dogs, add a buried or turned‑out skirt of rabbit wire. Yearly, walk the line: re‑tension line wires, replace worn ties, and grease and tighten gate furniture.
Thicker mesh (3.15 mm core) and PVC coating cost more up front but reduce re‑tensioning and corrosion, especially on coasts and courts. A top rail adds rigidity and often pays back in fewer call‑outs where people lean or balls strike.
For long rural boundaries, a value mix is 2.5 mm core galvanised mesh, three line wires, and more frequent strainers. Compare guide pricing across specs here: Fencing prices in Essex – compare costs from the top 5 suppliers. Over 10 years, plan for occasional re‑tensioning, hinge lubrication and minor tie replacements.
Sketch the perimeter. Mark ends, corners and gates first; these are your strain points. Count line posts on set centres between them and allow for rises with a raked mesh and an extra mid wire if needed.
Put gates where sightlines are clear and water does not pool. For counting strainers and corner logic, use our simple planner: Plan a fence run: concrete inters, corners and 3‑way posts. This helps you order the right quantities first time.
For small breeds, fit a rabbit‑wire skirt turned out or buried 150–300 mm. On courts, add rebound boards or netting behind high‑impact areas. With chain link, anti‑climb features matter less than safe selvedges and no toe‑holds.
Place add‑ons only where needed to cut cost and maintenance. Fit skirts at likely dig points, and boards where balls repeatedly strike.
Yes for most perimeters. Use 2.4 m with a top rail near play areas and roads. Go higher only where safeguarding or ball retention needs it.
Pick 45 mm for better ball retention, especially on busy courts. Use a rigid top rail and 3.15 mm core mesh for durability.
At all ends, corners and gates, plus about every 30 m on straights. Add more on steep or undulating ground.
PVC over galvanised resists salt better than plain galvanised. Use stainless or sherardised fixings and plan yearly checks.
Self‑closing hinges, a slam latch and drop bolts on double leaves. Keep gaps under 100 mm and match the mesh infill.
Yes. Chain link rakes cleanly to follow ground. Step only on steep gradients or where you need level gate landings.
Use 2.0–2.25 m centres with larger footings and frequent strainers. A top rail helps on taller fences and court edges.
