Welded Before vs. Welded After Galvanizing: Choosing the Right Weld Mesh
The Vulnerability of Welded Mesh Joints
Welded wire mesh is an incredibly popular material for building security perimeters, partition cages, animal enclosures, and concrete reinforcements. It is made by arranging steel wires in a grid (cross-wise and length-wise) and welding them together at every intersection using high-heat electrical resistance welding.
While this creates an incredibly rigid and flat panel, **the weld joints are the most vulnerable points for rust**.
When choosing galvanized welded mesh, you will encounter two acronyms: **GBW (Galvanized Before Welded)** and **GAW (Galvanized After Welded)**. In this article, we explain the difference between these two manufacturing methods and why the order of galvanizing determines the service life of your fence.
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1. Galvanized Before Welded (GBW / WBG)
In the **GBW** (sometimes called WBG - Welded Before Galvanizing is a slight misnomer; it means *Galvanized Wires are Welded*) process: 1. Individual steel wires are first galvanized. 2. These pre-galvanized wires are then fed into the automated welding machine. 3. The copper electrodes press down on the intersections and send a high electrical current, melting the steel cores together to form a weld joint.
The Problem with GBW: The extreme heat of welding (above 1200°C) **burns off the protective zinc coating at the weld intersections**. Even though the rest of the wire is galvanized, the joint nodes—where the wires cross—are left as bare, unprotected steel. When installed outdoors, rainwater collects at these intersections, causing the joint nodes to rust and snap within 12 to 24 months.
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2. Galvanized After Welded (GAW / WAG)
In the **GAW** (sometimes called WAG - Welded After Galvanizing is the correct description; it means *Welded Mesh is Galvanized*) process: 1. Raw, bright mild steel wires are fed into the welding machine first. 2. The grid is welded together. 3. The entire welded mesh panel or roll is then dipped into a molten bath of hot liquid zinc.
The Advantage of GAW: Because the galvanizing happens *after* the welding, **the molten zinc completely seals the weld joints**. It flows over the intersections, covering the weld spots, crevices, and cut wire ends in a thick, continuous zinc shield. There are no exposed areas. GAW mesh offers up to **3x to 5x higher rust resistance** than GBW mesh.
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GBW vs. GAW Comparison Matrix
| Property | GBW (Galvanized Before Welded) | GAW (Galvanized After Welded) |
|---|---|---|
| Joint Protection | Poor (zinc is burned off at weld spots) | Excellent (zinc completely seals the welds) |
| Rust Resistance | Low to Moderate | Extremely High |
| Aesthetics | Smooth wires, but weld spots may show discoloration | Slightly thicker joints with a heavy, galvanized finish |
| Initial Cost | Lower (cheaper to manufacture) | Higher (requires custom dipping setup) |
| Total Lifespan | 2 to 5 years (outdoors) | 10 to 15+ years (outdoors) |
| Best Suited For | Concrete reinforcement (RCC), indoor cages, dry areas | Boundary fencing, agricultural enclosures, humid zones |
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Why GAW is the Smarter Investment
For contractors bidding on large industrial infrastructure projects, GAW (Galvanized After Welded) mesh is the only specification that guarantees longevity.
While GBW mesh is cheaper initially, it quickly fails at the joints. Once the weld joints snap, the fence loses its tension and sags, requiring costly replacement. GAW mesh remains intact even in coastal, saline, or wet soil environments, keeping maintenance costs at zero.
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Conclusion & Buying Guide At Omnia Steels, we manufacture both options depending on your project needs. For concrete slabs (where the mesh is buried in concrete and oxygen is sealed out), GBW is sufficient and cost-effective. For boundary fences, security cages, and agricultural borders, we highly recommend our **Galvanized After Welded (GAW)** mesh panels.
*Need pricing or technical drawings for weld mesh panels?* **Omnia Steels** provides full customization on wire diameter and grid dimensions.
**Request a B2B Quote for Welded Mesh** or call our engineers at **+91 96762 70055**.