Razor wire is a safety measure that can be added to your fencing to improve its security from mid-range to high-range. There are many ways to distinguish razor wire, and one of them includes the shape of razor wire barbs.
Razor wire is made of metal strips that have sharp edges to prevent unlawful passing to the area behind it. Depending on the razor wire shape chosen, razor wire can be very effective to stop unauthorised passing.
Is razor wire the same as a barbed wire?
This security element, compared to the barbed wire, is much sharper, causing some kind of injury to the person or animal trying to trespass it. The reason is that unline barbed wire, razor wire uses a central strand of high tension wire with taped sharp barbs that are taped and crimped by a machine. That makes it much more difficult to cut using simple hand tools. Additionally, using reinforced steel makes it difficult to bend, and when trying to grab the wire, it will pierce your hands.
Hence, razor wire gets its name from having razor-sharp edges around the wire. They are sharp enough to not only cut the clothing but also flesh.
Where can you use it?
Razor wire finds applications in many places. It can be used by itself or attached to various fencing types. One of the most popular choices is to combine it with chain wire fencing (also known as chain link or diamond fencing).
This wire is very effective, thus, multiple blades of razor-sharp edges act not only as a physical barrier but also as a psychological deterrent, making it a suitable security measure for prisons. Moreover, it is used at military installations and other types of governmental buildings.
More and more industrial facilities have started to use razor wire as an extra security measure. For example, in factories and storage areas.
Airports may use razor wire to make the perimeter fence around the airport more intimidating to prevent someone from pulling the fence away from the bars for unlawful passing.
You can also see razor wire in residential areas. For example, villas or detached houses. However, if you want to install razor wire at your residential premises, you have to make sure it is not against local council rules.
What is it made of?
There are various types of razor-wire fences. You can differentiate them by the shape, material, structure and coil type.
Let’s start with the material. Razor wire can be galvanized, made of stainless steel and even PVC coated, while barbed wire comes only in plain steel and galvanized.
The shape is determined by the shape of the barbs. They can be short (10mm-12mm), medium (20mm-22 mm), or long barbs (60mm-66mm).
The structure, however, is determined mainly by the following:
- Straight razors on the wire
- Spiral coils
- Concertina coils
- Flat wrapped razor wire
- Welded razor wire mesh panels
If you are considering installing razor wire, contact our fencing team, who will give you a free quote and answer your fencing-related enquiries.
Call us on (03) 9753 4566, shoot us an email at info@diamondfence.com.au or get a FREE online quote.
