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Panel fences are made of steel wire welded into rigid panels, galvanized with zinc against rust and usually finished with a PVC or polyester powder coating for a second protective layer and colour. Posts, clamps and fixings complete the system.
A panel fence is made of steel wire that is welded into a rigid grid, protected with a zinc (galvanized) layer, and in most cases finished with a PVC or polyester powder coating. The steel gives strength, the zinc protects it from rust, and the outer coating adds a second barrier against weather and gives the fence its colour. Posts, clamps and fixings, made from the same coated steel, complete the system.
Layer 1: steel wire, welded into panels
Panels are made from straight steel wires laid horizontally and vertically and welded at every crossing. The wire diameter and the size of the openings decide how stiff the panel is and how hard it is to climb or cut; our article on mesh size and panel fence security covers that in detail. Many panels also have bends (folds) pressed along their length, which make a flat grid noticeably stiffer without heavier wire.
Layer 2: galvanizing
Galvanizing coats the steel with zinc. Zinc corrodes much more slowly than steel and, where the surface is scratched, it still protects the exposed steel next to it. Wire can be galvanized before welding, or the finished panel can be galvanized afterwards; either way, a galvanized panel will resist rust far better than bare or simply painted steel.
Galvanized steel is not stainless steel. It is ordinary steel with a protective layer, which is why the quality and completeness of the coatings matter.
Layer 3: PVC or powder coating
Most panel fences receive an outer coating on top of the zinc. The two common types are PVC coating and polyester powder coating (applied electrostatically and baked). Both serve the same purposes:
- Extra corrosion protection. Rain, humidity, snow, salty sea air and irrigation water reach the zinc more slowly, so the steel underneath stays protected for longer.
- Protection against knocks and scratches. The coating takes minor impacts that would otherwise scratch the zinc layer.
- Colour. Green and anthracite are the most common, because they blend with gardens and buildings; other RAL colours are often available on request.
- Low upkeep. A coated fence does not need repainting. Washing it with plain water from time to time is usually enough.
Coating quality varies between producers. UV stabilisers in the coating reduce fading and chalking in strong sun, and a coating that fully covers the welds and cut ends leaves fewer starting points for rust.
Posts, clamps and fixings
The panels are only as stable as what holds them. Posts are usually galvanized and coated steel profiles, set in concrete or bolted onto a base plate on existing concrete. Panels are fixed to the posts with clamps or brackets, and caps close the top of the posts to keep water out. Fixings should have a corrosion protection that matches the panels; an uncoated bolt can be the first part to rust. For the choice between post materials, see steel post or concrete post.
How metal panels compare with other fence materials
| Material | Advantages | Drawbacks outdoors |
|---|---|---|
| Galvanized + coated steel panel | Rigid, secure, low upkeep, many colours | See-through on its own |
| Galvanized wire only | Lower cost | Less protection where the zinc wears; plain grey look |
| Wood | Natural look, privacy | Moisture, insects and rot; regular treatment needed |
| Bamboo / reed screens | Natural look, light | Weathers quickly; low security |
If you want the security of a metal panel and the privacy of a solid screen, a grass fence can be mounted on the panels.
What to check when buying a panel fence
- Wire diameter and mesh opening for the security level you need.
- Whether the steel is galvanized, and whether there is an outer PVC or powder coating on top.
- Post profile and wall thickness, and how the posts will be fixed on your ground.
- The type of clamps and whether fixings are corrosion-protected.
- Colour, and whether gates and posts are available in the same finish.
Common questions
Which is more durable: galvanized only or galvanized and PVC-coated?
Galvanized plus PVC- or powder-coated. The outer coating slows down the wear of the zinc, which in turn protects the steel.
Does PVC coating need maintenance?
Almost none. Wash off dirt occasionally and touch up any deep scratch that reaches the metal.
Jidar Group supplies and installs panel fence systems. For a proposal, send us the fence length and height, the colour you prefer, the ground type, the number of gates and your location or country.
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