Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Netting: Struts or Strings

Strutted: large plastic struts between horizontal strands.
String: strings between horizontal strands.

Strutted Nets— 
  • Able to hold “live” strands above the soil when net passes over taller grass, sticks, rocks and dirt mounds. 
  • Allows net to be set up with less tension (because struts offer support between posts). Because the tension is less, fence setup is more “casual.”
  • Enables net to maintain its height between horizontals. Makes handling easier during installation or removal.
  • Much tidier when set up. 

String Nets—
  • Needs more tension than strutted nets (to reduce sagging).
  • For shorter fence lines. Exceptions are PermaNet and PoultryNet—they have much taller and thicker posts that can better handle strain and prevent the lower strands from sagging.  
  • For fences that need to contain small animals. Nets with strings have tighter spacings between the verticals. 
What do we recommend? 

For most fences we recommend a strutted net. However, PermaNet, PoultryNet and VersaNet are only available as string nets. Both PermaNet and PoultryNet have thicker posts than regular string netting. The added strength considerably reduces sagging. VersaNet is a much shorter net (less weight) so sagging is not as severe as taller nets. Added posts and "Plus" nets further reduce sagging.  
For short fences with low weed contact, string nets are sufficient. If set up well (adequate tension), string nets (E'Net and E'Stop) do very well, it takes a little more effort.

To see all available netting types, visit our website.
For netting installation videos visit our how-to video page.