Terminology Guide

Below you will find a list of words that are often used in the mesh industry.  In order to help you understand what these words mean in the real world please take a look at the table below.  The words in the table appear in alphabetical order.

Term Explanation
Wire Mesh Used to describe virtually every mesh product, and is more of an umbrella, than a specific, term.
Wire Cloth A very fine type of mesh that behaves more like cloth than traditional rigid mesh.
Wire Fabric Low cost, pliable and flexible, galvanised, and versatile mesh which are often used for specific fencing needs.
Hole Size or Aperture The size of the gaps between or holes in wire mesh.
Mesh or Mesh Count The number of openings per linear inch. This is a critical component in the specification of wire mesh, and is one of the most important concepts of the industry.
Crimp Undulations in wires which hold them in place.
Shute Wire or Fill Wire The wire running along the width of mesh.
Warp Wire The wire running along the length of mesh.
Space The opening between two parallel lines.
Space Cloth The measurement of the space between the inside faces of adjacent parallel wires.
Off-count Mesh A wire mesh in which the mesh count is not the same in both directions, resulting in the mesh being rectangular rather than square. This sort of mesh is often used in filtering, sifting, and architecture.
Gauge or Diameter Wire Terms used interchangeably to describe the thickness of wire. Using decimals is preferred for describing wire diameter, due to differing gauge systems.
Plain Weave or Plain Crimp A specific method of weaving wire mesh in which the warp wires and shute wires pass over and under each other. The strength of the wires and tightness of the opening locks the mesh in place.
Intermediate Crimp or Intercrimp A popular crimp in which the warp and shute wires are crimped before the wesh is woven. This is often used in coarser meshes, and results in larger openings and light wires.
Lock Crimp A crimp which, like in an intermediate crimp, consists of pre-crimped wires, But also with a bump or knuckle that forms over each intersection in a lock crimp.
Twilled Weave A form of weave in which the length running warp wires and width running shute wires cross over and under two intersections at a time. The wires cross over two, and under two. This makes the mesh more flexible and pliable.
Selvage Edge The edge or border of wire mesh that has a finished, smooth edge. A selvage edge generally makes mesh more stable, and provides a safer edge when handling. A looped edge is the most common type.
Raw Edge Where shute wires are uncovered, resulting in a rougher edge. This often occurs when mesh is produced on a rapier loom. Mesh with a raw edge are lower cost.
Woven Mesh A mesh produced through manufacturing on looms, involving the crimping of wires. This provides greater flexibility.
Welded Mesh Mesh not produced by weaving or on a woom, where wires are welded together at intersections, providing strength and stability.
Standard Grade or Market Grade A group of mesh wires that have a specific mesh count and a moderate wire diameter. Standard, or market, grade mesh provides strength and a good deal of open area.
Bolting Grade A group of meshes that have thin wire diameters and a high amount of open area, and often employed for sifting and similar uses.
Milling Grade A type of wire with thin wire diameters than standard grade wires, but thicker than bolting grade. Milling grade meshes offer a middle point between strength and opening size. They are often used for sifting and similar uses.
ASTM E2016-11 The standard specification for woven wire, identifying certain requirements.
Calendering A process of rolling in which the knuckles of wire cloth are flattened, making them smoother.
Filter Cloth An often plain or twilled dutch wire cloth (as well as certain types of square mesh and standard off-count mesh) which is used for filtering and straining.
Flat Top A type of mesh in which the top surface of wires lie on the same plane, with an irregular crimped surface on the bottom.
Hardware Cloth A square, plain weave mesh with a relatively light wire which is galvanised after weaving or welding.
Micron A unit of measurement equal to 0.00003937 inch, which applies to meshes for filtering.
Oil Tempered Wire Heat treated high carbon steel wire which is strong and resistant to abrasion.
Opening Dimension between parallel adjacent wires.
Rectangular Mesh Wire cloth in which the warp and shut wire mesh count are different, resulting in rectangular openings. These often have a higher warp mesh count. These meshes have a bigger open area, and are less costly.
Space Screen A type of wire cloth which is specified by the opening size, as opposed to the mesh count.
Square Mesh Mesh in which warp and shute wires are equally spaced to give square openings.