Types of Security Fencing: The Definitive Guide

What Is a Security Fence?

Many people believe that a security fence should serve as an impenetrable barrier, but that’s a misconception. No fence or wall can keep everyone out all the time on its own.

Security fences are designed primarily as deterrents, aiming to slow down anyone attempting to enter or exit the protected area. The concept is that if intruders are delayed, there will be enough time for someone to respond to the threat. This is why high-security fencing is often combined with alarm systems, CCTV cameras, and access control measures.

The more layers of security you incorporate into your fencing system, the more effective it will be. While electronic security features can significantly enhance a fence’s effectiveness, it’s still crucial to select the best type of fence for your specific needs. So, what types of security fencing might you consider?

High Security Chain Link Fencing

Chain link fencing, as commonly seen around backyards and light commercial properties, is not inherently designed for security. It can be easily cut, climbed, or breached. However, there are several ways to enhance the security of a chain link fence.

One effective method is to add an extension with barbed wire or razor coils at the top. Additionally, incorporating a bottom rail can make the lower edge more rigid, while underground security measures, such as a grade beam, can provide extra protection.

Using a heavier gauge wire, such as 6-gauge instead of 9-gauge, can significantly improve security, and opting for a smaller mesh aperture further strengthens the fence.

Beyond the materials used, modifications in installation can also enhance security. Typically, steel fittings are preferred over cast aluminum, and these can be welded in place. Using steel bolts and tie wires, which can also be tack welded, ensures that they cannot be easily removed or tampered with.

While a typical chain link fence alone does not qualify as a high-security option, it can be effectively designed to meet high-security standards.

Palisade Fencing

Palisade fencing is a robust type of security fencing commonly used at sensitive sites worldwide.

It consists of heavy-duty posts, often made from I-beams, with angle iron horizontals and either angle iron or roll-formed pales or infills. While these components can be bolted in place, higher-security applications often utilize welded palisade panels. The lack of fittings in welded designs makes them significantly more difficult to breach compared to standard bolted palisade fences.

Although welded palisade fencing offers enhanced security, it lacks the flexibility to follow ground contours, which bolted systems can accommodate.

Palisade fencing can also be paired with additional security measures, such as razor coils and barbed wire, and is sometimes combined with a concrete grade beam for added underground protection.

High Security Ornamental Fence

When you think of ornamental fencing, you might envision the types found around swimming pools or in parks and public spaces. While those are indeed ornamental fences, they do not qualify as high-security ornamental fencing.

High-security ornamental fencing is constructed from thicker, heavier metal and is typically taller than standard ornamental fencing. It often includes additional components to reinforce the panels, such as spikes at the top and closer spacing of infills compared to residential fences.

These high-security systems may feature posts that are spaced more closely together to support the added weight and may also incorporate integrated security features for enhanced protection.

Welded Mesh Fencing

There are various types of welded mesh fencing systems available, but those designed for high security are typically constructed from thicker wire, featuring smaller apertures and a heavy-duty structure.

Because welded mesh panels are inherently rigid, they often do not require horizontal rails for support, making them more difficult to climb. When the apertures are very small—sometimes less than half an inch between the center of each wire—it's challenging to insert fingers or tools into the mesh. This significantly complicates climbing and cutting attempts with wire cutters.

While welded mesh panels provide a high level of security, their rigidity can make installation challenging on sloped or uneven terrain.

Electric Fence, Taut Wire Fence, and Fence Detection Systems

High-security fences alone aren’t “smart.” While they provide a solid barrier, they cannot alert you if someone attempts to breach your property, potentially leaving you unable to act before an intrusion occurs.

Integrating electronic security features is an effective way to enhance your fence’s capabilities.

Systems such as monitored electric fences, taut wire fences, and fence detection systems can be connected to security equipment in a guardhouse or similar location, ensuring your security team is always aware of any activity. For properties without on-site security, these systems can often integrate with alarm systems to alert you and authorities in the event of a breach.

Most electronic security systems also trigger alarms if the wires are cut or if the fence is tampered with, providing immediate notification of any attempts to disable the system.

While adding electronic features to a high-security fence may not always be the most economical choice, they can significantly enhance overall site security, reducing your worries about potential breaches.