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Decorative Mesh: Passion, Tradition, and Memory

At Fenceshop, we are proud to share the story of the Decorative Mesh, a product that represents not just a technical solution for fencing, but also a true symbol of passion, tradition, and family heritage. This story arises from the desire to share not only the technical features of the mesh, but also the significant human and historical value it carries with it.

A product that made history at Fenceshop

The Decorative Mesh was the very first product manufactured by our company, Rete Plastic, back in 1973. At first glance, it might seem like a simple solution for fences, but for us, it holds immeasurable sentimental value: it marks the very beginning of our entrepreneurial and family journey.

Technical features of the Decorative Mesh

• Chain link mesh: 50 x 50 mm.
• Wire diameter: 4 mm outer (3 mm of very hard internal steel wire and about 1 mm of premium plastic coating).
• Wire: Wavy, with three top wires and three bottom wires for extra strength.
• Top arches: 10 cm wide, about 7 cm high.
• Colors: Available on request in different colors: white, green, brown, pink, and even two-tone combinations (for example, white mesh with green horizontal wires or vice versa).
• Heights and lengths: Made to order, as are the rolls, manufactured to fit each customer's needs.
• Use: Ideal for residential fences (single-family homes, private residences), but thanks to its strength, also suitable for industrial boundaries.
• Posts: Often installed with 40x40 mm box-section posts, 2 mm thick, with an iron top cap and hand-painted finish (usually brown).
• Tension wires: Not always required, thanks to the presence of the three upper and lower wires that already fulfill this function.

The manufacturing: a story of craftsmanship and family

The production of the Decorative Mesh was true craftsmanship, carried out entirely by hand. It all began with raw steel wire, which was coated in-house using only premium plastic to ensure quality and durability. The process included:

• Coating the wire by means of a machine that controlled speed and temperature to achieve the right coating.
• Instant cooling of the coated wire in water and winding into coils.
• Waving the wire using gears that created its distinctive shape.
• Cutting the main wires (three top and three bottom) according to the length specified by the customer.
• Preparing the diagonal wires, which were also waved and cut to size.
• Bending the wires to create the upper arches — at first done one by one, and later several at a time thanks to improvements in the machinery.
• Manually assembling the mesh onto a large tilt-frame, where the three women in the family would weave the wires together using wooden sticks.
• Trimming the wire tips with a special manual shear to ensure a uniform result.
• Manually rolling the mesh into rolls about 1 meter in diameter, due to the rigidity and weight of the product.

Installing the Decorative Mesh: Strength and Challenge

Installing the Decorative Mesh was considered challenging due to its rigidity and robustness. It couldn’t be tensioned by hand like modern meshes; special tensioners were required. However, once installed, the result was practically a masterpiece, able to endure for decades without showing signs of giving way. Thanks to the three upper and lower wires, additional tension wires were often unnecessary, simplifying the structure while increasing solidity.

Anecdotes and Trivia

The Decorative Mesh was at the center of some unusual episodes, such as when a customer requested it in pink so it could be easily found in case of theft. This anecdote shows just how personalized our service was, even back then, customizing the product to meet specific requests.

A Team Effort

The production of the Decorative Mesh was truly a family team effort. The three brothers shared responsibilities: from business operations, to production, to design and maintenance of the machinery. Their wives were the real workers on the mesh, able to balance handcrafting with running the household. Even the children would lend a hand during the summer months, pulling wires and helping at various stages of the production process.

The End of an Era and the Move to Welded Meshes

Production of the Decorative Mesh continued until the late 1980s, when the market started to prefer welded meshes, which were lighter, more versatile, and easier to install due to industrial production methods. This change revolutionized the fence sector, introducing new possibilities in terms of mesh sizes and wire diameters, but also marked the end of a unique artisanal tradition.

A Legacy That Lives On

Even though the Decorative Mesh is no longer produced, it is still possible to find, perfectly intact, meshes installed over 40 years ago—a testament to the quality and care that went into their manufacture. Many customers still ask if we can remake it: the answer is no, but the memory and pride of having created such a long-lasting and beloved product remain indelible.

Conclusion

The Decorative Mesh was more than just a fence—it was a life project, an example of craftsmanship, sacrifice, and family cooperation. At Fenceshop, we believe that the value of a product also lies in the story behind it and the passion of those who create it. We hope that this journey into our memories has conveyed everything that the Decorative Mesh meant and continues to mean to us.