How Tight Should Prefab Mesh Be? Fence Tension Explained

How tight should prefabricated mesh fencing really be?
Some people are over-straining it and ruining perfectly good wire.

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In this short, hands-on video, I break down how prefab mesh is designed to work, why it should behave like a trampoline, not a rigid wall, and how the much-debated tension crimps actually protect your fence — not measure tension.

We put high-tensile Australian-made prefabricated mesh on a test bench, measure crimp deflection before and after straining, and prove exactly how much tension is correct before performance and longevity are compromised.

This video is for:

Farmers and graziers running sheep, goats, cattle, or mixed livestock

Contractors installing prefabricated mesh fencing

Property owners who want fences that last, not stretched wire that fails

Prefab mesh fencing relies on spring, shape retention, and even load distribution across terrain. Pull the crimps straight and you’re not making it stronger — you’re weakening it.

If you’ve ever been told to “strain the crimps out,” this video will save you money, time, and fence rebuilds.

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Watch next: Fence end assemblies, strainers, and real-world fence testing

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Tools & products mentioned:

Australian-manufactured Murray prefabricated wire https://whitesrural.com.au/product/stiff-stay-exclusion-fencing/

00:00 – Why prefab mesh fails when over-strained
00:24 – How tight should mesh fencing actually be?
00:42 – Mesh fencing works like a trampoline, not a wall
01:02 – What tension crimps really do (and don’t do)
01:17 – Line wires vs picket wires explained
01:51 – Terrain, slopes, and why mesh adapts
02:39 – Testing prefab mesh under real tension
03:06 – The biggest myth destroying mesh fences
03:23 – Correct tension for 2.5 mm high-tensile wire
04:12 – Measuring crimp deflection before tensioning
05:22 – Straining mesh to 180 kg: what actually happens
06:32 – Results: how much crimp should disappear
07:38 – The rule: when tension becomes damage
07:54 – Final takeaway: strain smart, not harder