When securing your perimeter with welded mesh or palisade fencing, it is all too easy to focus exclusively on panel styles, heights and mesh sizes. Yet the performance of the entire system depends on the fixings that hold it in place. Inferior clips and bolts can lead to panel movement, accelerated corrosion and even compromise the anti-tamper properties of a security fence. In this guide, we will cover:
- The roles played by fencing clips and bolts
- CLA’s range of high-performance fixings
- How to identify substandard alternatives
- A side-by-side comparison
- Best-practice installation tips
- How to specify the right package at quotation stage
Why Fixings Are Critical
Even the toughest welded mesh or palisade pales rely on their fixings to:
- Transfer loads evenly from panel to post, ensuring rigidity under impact or pull-tests
- Dampen vibration, preventing panels from rattling or loosening in windy conditions
- Maintain anti-tamper integrity through shear-head bolts and security clips that resist unauthorised removal
- Provide consistent corrosion resistance by matching the fixings’ coatings to those on the panels
A security fence is only as strong as its weakest bolt. When clips shear off or bolts back out, panel stability and the security envelope are both at risk.
CLA’s Range of Clips & Bolts
CLA Fabrications enables you to tailor each installation with fixings engineered for longevity and reliable performance.
Mesh Clips
Spider Clips
- Grade S275JR mild steel
- 3 µm zinc passivate plus 80 µm polyester powder coating
- Self-locking legs for vibration resistance
Universal Clips
- Wider contact face for twin-wire panels (656 & 868)
- High-tensile steel, identical coating specification to Spider
Security Bolts
Stainless-steel M8 × 40 mm with nylon-insert nyloc nuts
- A2 grade stainless for marine-grade corrosion protection
- Recommended torque: 25–30 Nm for optimal clamp force
Zinc-plated M8 × 40 mm with spring washer and standard nyloc nut
- Economical option where full stainless is not required
- 8–12 µm zinc plating, passivated
Palisade Fixing Packs
Heavy-duty fishplates
- 5 mm thick mild steel, galvanised to BS EN ISO 1461
Carriage bolts with shear heads
- Prevent unauthorised removal once installed
- Matched nyloc nuts and washers with full powder-coat protection
By selecting your preferred clip and bolt options at the point of order, you guarantee that every joint on your security fencing carries the same warranty and corrosion resistance as the panels themselves.
How to Identify Substandard Alternatives
A lower initial price can disguise far greater long-term costs. Watch for:
- Unknown steel grades, which may fracture under load
- Thin zinc plating (often less than 5 µm), leading to white rust within months
- Inconsistent powder coatings that flake off around the threads
- Standard hex heads, easily removed with off-the-shelf tools
- No corrosion warranty beyond one to three years
In practical tests, generic clips suffered through-metal corrosion in under two years, whereas CLA’s equivalents come with a 25-year corrosion warranty.
Comparison at a Glance
Feature |
CLA Fixings |
Generic “White-Label” Fixings |
| Steel grade | S275JR mild steel | Unspecified, often below S235JR |
| Coating specification | 3 µm zinc + 80 µm powder coating | Less than 5 µm zinc, no powder coat |
| Corrosion warranty | 25 years | 1–3 years |
| Anti-tamper heads | Shear-off and hex-pin options | Standard hex only |
| Locknut type | Nylon-insert nyloc | Plain nyloc or spring washer |
Installation Best Practice
Even top-quality fixings will underperform if installed incorrectly. For both mesh and palisade systems, observe the following:
- Use a calibrated torque wrench set to 25–30 Nm on all M8 bolts.
- Position clips at 200 mm centres vertically for 868 twin-wire mesh; 150 mm for V-Mesh panels or as per manufacturer’s recommendation.
- Fit a flat washer under each nut to distribute clamping force and protect coatings.
- Pre-drill and deburr post holes to avoid thread damage when inserting bolts.
Adhering to these procedures preserves your warranty, maximises panel lifespan and ensures your fencing security system functions as intended.
Specifying the Right Package at Quotation Stage
To avoid unwelcome surprises on site, take these steps:
- Review your security requirements—high-risk areas may demand stainless-steel bolts and shear heads.
- Confirm the clip type needed for your panel system (Universal clips for 656 & 868 twin-wire, Spider clips for V-Mesh).
- Request full corrosion warranty details to match panel guarantees.
- Bundle fixing packs with panels for streamlined logistics and consistent quality control.
When seeking a quote, specify “M8 stainless steel nylon-insert” or “galvanised shear-head” to ensure you receive the correct package.
Conclusion
Fixings are far more than ancillary parts, they are the backbone of any reliable security fence. By choosing CLA’s engineered clips and bolts, you benefit from proven steel grades, stringent coating specifications, a market-leading corrosion warranty and robust anti-tamper designs. For full specifications on our fixings and to explore our range of security fence panels, visit our website or contact a CLA Fabrications specialist today. Your perimeter protection is only as good as its fixings, make sure you choose the very best.
