Your One-Stop Wire Mesh Fence Supplier | POLYMETAL
POLYMETAL 358 wire mesh fence—often called Prison Mesh—is a high-security welded mesh panel system built for maximum delay, high visibility, and strong anti-climb performance. The “358” name comes from the classic imperial pattern 3″ × 0.5″ × 8 gauge, which converts to approximately 76.2mm × 12.7mm aperture with a common 4.0mm wire option. The tight, toe-and-finger-resistant opening makes climbing extremely difficult and restricts tool access, increasing resistance against conventional hand cutting tools.
Where many fences rely on height alone, a 358 wire mesh fence relies on geometry, weld strength, post stability, and clamp-bar discipline—while still delivering roughly 85%–90% see-through visibility for CCTV, patrols, and detection systems.
Product Description
POLYMETAL 358 wire mesh fence panels are produced as a complete matched clearvu fence system for high-security environments. The welded mesh is formed from precision steel wire and welded at every intersection to create a dense, rigid grid that is difficult to cut, difficult to climb, and difficult to deform under attack. Panels can be supplied with V-bends to increase stiffness and reduce panel flex, especially on taller heights and exposed wind corridors.
Protection and appearance come from the coating system. Panels can be supplied with heavy zinc galvanizing and finished in RAL colour powder coating to strengthen corrosion resistance and maintain a clean, professional perimeter look over time.
Security performance is reinforced by installation design: full-length clamp bars and controlled fixing counts reduce pry points and help prevent “peeling” at the post line. Post options include square posts and C-type posts, matched to height and risk level, with surface treatments including hot dipped galvanizing, electro-galvanizing, and powder painting.
358 Wire Mesh Fence Advantages
POLYMETAL 358 wire mesh fence delivers performance advantages that match real high-security requirements.
- Anti-climb, anti-cut, and 85%–90% see-through visibility
- HD galvanized and polyester coated for corrosion and rust resistance
- High to low-security configuration options (height, wire, post, fixings)
- V-bends in clear-view panels improve strength and rigidity
- Panels fixed to square tube posts create high security and stability
- Professional installation support available
Applications
POLYMETAL 358 wire mesh fence is widely used for:
- Warehousing isolation and workshop segmentation
- Road, railway, and airport perimeter fencing
- Prison and military security fencing
- Medical facilities, schools, and recreational fencing
- Residential areas, business districts, and government agencies (fence or gates)
- Industrial areas and farm house boundaries
- Flat or slope areas with correct post and foundation planning
Anti-Climb Fence Features
- Strong corrosion resistance with security-focused coatings
- Dense aperture restricts hand and tool access for cutting and climbing attempts
- Razor wire can be added for higher-risk zones
- Welded at each intersection for consistent deterrence and grid integrity
Top 8 Traps You Don’t Know About 358 Wire Mesh Fence (Especially #4)
Trap #1: Buying “358” by name, not by aperture—if the opening is not truly 76.2×12.7mm (or equivalent), you’ve purchased footholds and tool access.
Trap #2: Choosing the wrong wire diameter—thin wire can look fine at handover but distorts faster under prying and vibration.
Trap #3: Weak weld consistency—one soft section becomes the first test point and the first breach point.
Trap #4: Cutting fixing count or clamp-bar discipline—movement starts at the post line, then leverage opens gaps, and “high security” turns into repeat repair cost and visible failure.
Trap #5: Under-sizing posts for height—posts move first, then every fixing becomes a loosening cycle.
Trap #6: Ignoring V-bends on taller runs—panel flex increases, clamp stress rises, and rattling starts.
Trap #7: Under-building corners and terminations—corners multiply force and drift first, making straight runs look defective.
Trap #8: Treating coating as “just a finish”—rust starts at weld zones and handling marks if protection is under-specified.
Specification
Table 1. POLYMETAL 358 Wire Mesh Fence Specification Schedule
| Wire (mm) | Opening (mm) | Panel Height×Width (mm) | Post Section (mm) | O/A Post Length (mm) | Fixings (Intermediate / Corner) | Clamp Bar Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0 | 12.7×76.2 | 2007×2515 | 60×60×2.5 | 2700 | 7 / 14 | 1 / 2 bars |
| 4.0 | 12.7×76.2 | 2404×2515 | 60×60×2.5 | 3100 | 9 / 18 | 1 / 2 bars |
| 4.0 | 12.7×76.2 | 2997×2515 | 80×80×2.5 | 3800 | 11 / 22 | 1 / 2 bars |
| 4.0 | 12.7×76.2 | 3302×2515 | 80×80×2.5 | 4200 | 12 / 24 | 1 / 2 bars |
| 4.0 | 12.7×76.2 | 3607×2515 | 100×60×3.0 | 4500 | 13 / 26 | 1 / 2 bars |
| 4.0 | 12.7×76.2 | 3607×2515 | 100×100×3.0 | 4500 | 13 / 26 | 1 / 2 bars |
| 4.0 | 12.7×76.2 | 4200×2515 | 100×100×4.0 | 5200 | 15 / 30 | 1 / 2 bars |
| 4.0 | 12.7×76.2 | 4500×2515 | 100×100×5.0 | 5500 | 16 / 32 | 1 / 2 bars |
| 3.0 | 12.7×76.2 | 2007×2515 | 60×80×2.5 | 2700 | 7 / 14 | 1 / 2 bars |
| 3.0 | 12.7×76.2 | 2404×2515 | 64×83 (C-Post) | 3100 | 9 / 18 | 1 / 2 bars |
Benefits
POLYMETAL 358 wire mesh fence delivers high security through toe-and-finger-resistant aperture geometry, strong welded intersection structure, and restricted tool access for improved anti-cut behavior. The clear-view design supports CCTV and patrol visibility, while V-bends and correct post/fixing selection improve rigidity and reduce long-run movement. With galvanized and powder-coated finish options, the fence maintains a clean perimeter appearance and long service life under outdoor exposure.
Packing
Panels are typically stacked with separation layers to reduce rubbing damage, wrapped with protective film, and steel-strapped onto pallets for stable transport. Posts are bundled and wrapped to prevent scratching. Clamp bars and security fixings are bagged, boxed, and labeled for fast site counting and to prevent missing items that can trigger weaknesses at the post line.
Standard and Quality Control
Production control focuses on wire diameter consistency, aperture accuracy, weld stability at each intersection, panel flatness, V-bend uniformity, coating adhesion, and finish thickness control. Final inspection commonly includes dimensional checks, visual weld review, surface finish checks, packing verification, and accessory counting to ensure the delivered system installs tight and remains tight—see related guidance in bird wire mesh shocking secrets.
FAQs
What does “358” mean?
It refers to the classic mesh format 3″ × 0.5″ × 8 gauge, commonly understood as about 76.2mm × 12.7mm with a typical 4.0mm wire option.
Why is a 358 wire mesh fence considered anti-climb?
The tight aperture denies stable finger and toe holds, making climbing extremely difficult and disrupting grip and rhythm.
What is the most common installation height?
A common general installation height is around 2.0m, with many higher-security sites choosing taller configurations.
What causes the most expensive failures?
Most expensive failures start as movement at the post line—especially Trap #4, where fixing count or clamp-bar discipline is cut, turning vibration into leverage and leverage into gaps.
