Temporary Fencing vs Steel Shielding: Which Is Right for Your Site?
Temporary mesh fencing and steel shielding both create physical boundaries around construction sites, festivals, concerts and other temporary locations. The main difference is their construction: standard temporary fencing uses metal mesh panels that allow visibility through the boundary, while steel shielding uses solid steel panels that provide greater screening.
Steel shielding is also available in taller configurations. At Temp Fencing 247, our steel shielding panels stand 3 metres high, compared with the approximately 2-metre height commonly associated with standard temporary mesh fencing.
Neither system is automatically the right choice for every project. The most suitable option depends on what the boundary needs to achieve, the site conditions, access requirements and the type of activity taking place.
In this guide, we compare the two systems to help you understand their different applications before arranging your hire.
Temporary Fencing vs Steel Shielding: A Quick Comparison
Feature | Temporary Mesh Fencing | Steel Shielding Fencing |
Construction | Metal frame with mesh infill | Heavy-duty steel shielding panels |
Panel height | Commonly around 2 metres | 3 metres in our hire range |
Panel width | Commonly around 3.5 metres | 2.4 metres in our hire range |
Visibility | Allows visibility through the mesh | Provides a solid visual screen |
Typical applications | Construction perimeters, temporary compounds and event boundaries | Festival production areas, backstage compounds and locations requiring substantial screening |
Advertising and branding | May accommodate suitable signage or screening, subject to the installation design | Large solid panel surface suitable for event advertising and branding |
Access | Compatible gate arrangements depend on the fencing system | Our range includes 4.8m double gates, 2.4m single gates and 1.2m pedestrian gates |
Temporary mesh fencing dimensions vary between manufacturers and systems. The steel shielding measurements above refer specifically to the equipment supplied by Temp Fencing 247.
What Is Temporary Mesh Fencing?
Temporary mesh fencing, often referred to as Heras fencing, consists of individual metal mesh panels connected together to form a temporary boundary.
The panels are supported using appropriate bases, connections and stabilisation equipment, with the installation method determined by the location and intended use.
Its modular construction allows a fence line to be installed, extended, shortened or repositioned as site requirements change.
Temporary mesh fencing is commonly used for:
Construction site perimeters and temporary working areas.
Commercial and industrial compounds.
Outdoor event boundaries.
Temporary equipment storage areas.
Separating individual sections of a larger site.
Projects where the fencing layout may need to change during the hire.
One of its defining characteristics is the mesh construction. This establishes a physical boundary while allowing visibility through the panels.
For further information about the fencing options available for your project, see our temporary fencing and barrier hire range.
What Is Steel Shielding Fencing?
Steel shielding is a heavy-duty temporary fencing system that uses solid steel panels to establish a substantial boundary and screen the area behind it.
Our steel shielding fencing is particularly suited to festivals, concerts, sporting occasions and other locations where a taller, more substantial temporary division is required.
Each panel measures 2.4 metres wide and 3 metres high. The panels are Juniper green and can be supported using extra-long bracing poles and suitable ground-fixing or ballast arrangements.
Our steel shielding range also includes several gate options, allowing pedestrian and larger access points to be incorporated into the boundary.
The solid panels provide visual screening and offer a large surface for event advertising or branding.
Which System Provides More Privacy and Screening?
Steel shielding provides greater visual screening than standard mesh fencing because its solid panels obstruct the view into the enclosed area.
This can be useful around festival production compounds, backstage areas, equipment storage locations and other parts of an event that organisers do not want to leave openly visible.
Temporary mesh fencing establishes a boundary but does not provide the same degree of screening. People can generally see through its mesh construction.
Although screening material can sometimes be attached to temporary mesh fencing, doing so changes the wind loads acting on the installation. Any proposed covering must be considered as part of the fencing design rather than added without assessing its effect on stability.
Where a solid visual boundary is a central requirement, steel shielding offers a purpose-built alternative to an uncovered mesh fence.
How Does the Height of the Fencing Affect Its Use?
Height is another important difference between the two systems.
Standard temporary mesh fencing is commonly supplied at approximately 2 metres high, while our steel shielding panels stand 3 metres high.
The additional height of steel shielding can create a more substantial visual division between public and operational areas.
At a festival or concert, this may be useful for screening production equipment, backstage activity and other restricted sections of the venue.
However, a taller fence is not automatically more appropriate for every application. The required height should be considered alongside the purpose of the boundary, site conditions, access arrangements and the installation design.
Temporary Fencing vs Steel Shielding for Construction Sites
Construction projects frequently require temporary boundaries that can accommodate changing work areas, deliveries, access points and different phases of development.
Temporary mesh fencing can be used to establish a site perimeter or divide individual working areas. Its modular construction allows the layout to be adjusted as the project progresses.
Steel shielding may be considered where the project requires a taller, solid boundary or additional visual screening.
The choice should reflect the actual requirements of the construction site, including the surrounding environment, access arrangements and the intended duration of the installation.
Neither system should be assumed to provide a particular level of security solely because of its appearance or height. The complete installation, access arrangements and relevant site risks need to be considered.
Temporary Fencing vs Steel Shielding for Festivals and Concerts
Large outdoor events can require several different types of temporary boundary within the same venue.
For example, an organiser might use temporary mesh fencing around an external perimeter while installing steel shielding around backstage areas or production compounds.
The mesh fencing establishes a physical boundary where screening is not the primary requirement. Steel shielding provides a taller, solid division in areas where the additional height and visual separation are useful.
Other parts of the event may require different equipment altogether.
Our crowd control barriers can help define queues and pedestrian routes, while specialist concert control barriers can form part of the infrastructure for appropriate audience areas.
These products perform different functions. Standard temporary fencing and steel shielding should not automatically be treated as substitutes for specialist crowd management barriers.
Which Fencing System Is Better for Advertising and Branding?
Our steel shielding panels provide a large, solid surface that can be used for event advertising and branding.
At 3 metres high and 2.4 metres wide, each panel offers considerable space for suitable promotional material.
This can be particularly useful at festivals, concerts and sporting events where a temporary boundary is also part of the visual presentation of the venue.
Mesh fencing can accommodate certain forms of signage or screening where the installation has been designed to support them. However, covering a mesh panel can significantly increase its exposure to wind.
Any advertising or branding arrangement should therefore be considered alongside the fencing system, support method and site conditions.
How Are Temporary Fencing and Steel Shielding Installed?
Both systems require an installation arrangement appropriate to the site, but their panel construction, dimensions and support requirements differ.
Temporary Mesh Fencing Installation
Temporary mesh panels are generally positioned along the proposed fence line, connected together and supported using suitable bases and stabilisation equipment.
The exact arrangement depends on the fencing system, ground surface, wind exposure, intended use and any additional loads.
Steel Shielding Installation
Our steel shielding panels are supported using extra-long bracing poles and appropriate stabilisation arrangements.
On suitable grass surfaces, long stabilising legs can be pinned into the ground. For hard-standing locations, a ballast system can be used.
The final installation method should account for the ground conditions, site exposure, access arrangements and other relevant factors.
Because steel shielding uses solid panels, wind loading is an important consideration. The additional height and solid surface should be accounted for when planning the installation.
Can Temporary Fencing and Steel Shielding Be Used in Windy Weather?
Both systems can be installed outdoors, but neither should be assumed to be suitable for every wind condition.
The stability of temporary fencing depends on the complete installation, including the panels, supports, connections, ground conditions and exposure of the location.
Solid steel shielding and mesh fencing with added screening can experience substantial wind loads. Suitable bracing, ballast or ground-fixing arrangements must be determined for the particular installation.
Event organisers and contractors should account for changing weather conditions, arrange appropriate inspection and monitoring, and follow the operational limits established for the installed system.
Simply choosing heavier or taller panels does not remove the need for proper installation and weather planning.
How Many Panels Will You Need?
Panel quantities depend on the total length of the boundary and the dimensions of the fencing system selected.
For a straightforward estimate, divide the required fencing length by the nominal panel width and round up to the next whole panel.
Boundary length | Standard 3.5m mesh panels | Our 2.4m steel shielding panels |
24 metres | 7 panels | 10 panels |
48 metres | 14 panels | 20 panels |
72 metres | 21 panels | 30 panels |
100 metres | 29 panels | 42 panels |
These figures are preliminary estimates for straight fencing runs using nominal panel widths. Gates, corners, connection details and site-specific installation requirements can affect the final quantity.
For a more detailed explanation, see our guide to calculating how much temporary fencing you need.
What About Gates and Access Points?
Both temporary mesh fencing and steel shielding can incorporate access arrangements, but the available gate options depend on the system.
Our steel shielding range includes:
4.8-metre double gates for larger access requirements.
2.4-metre single gates for suitable site access arrangements.
1.2-metre pedestrian gates for designated pedestrian access.
When planning a boundary, consider who needs to pass through it, the equipment or vehicles involved and whether public and operational access should be separated.
Access points should be included in the proposed fencing layout before the final panel quantities are calculated.
Is Steel Shielding More Expensive Than Temporary Mesh Fencing?
Hire costs depend on the fencing system, quantity, hire duration, delivery location, installation requirements and associated equipment.
Steel shielding uses different panels, supports and transport arrangements from standard temporary mesh fencing, so the two systems should be quoted according to their individual requirements.
The most useful comparison is the total cost of providing a suitable boundary for your site, rather than simply comparing the price of one panel.
For example, a project requiring a solid, 3-metre-high screened boundary should not assume that standard mesh fencing will provide an equivalent result without additional equipment or design considerations.
Contact Temp Fencing 247 with your proposed fencing length, location, hire dates and intended application for a quotation based on your requirements.
Can You Combine Temporary Fencing and Steel Shielding?
Yes. Different parts of a site may have different boundary requirements, making a combination of systems appropriate.
A festival might use temporary mesh fencing around its wider perimeter and steel shielding around backstage or production areas.
A construction project could require standard mesh fencing around one section and a taller screened boundary around another.
Each system should be installed according to its own requirements, with suitable consideration given to access points, transitions between fencing types and the overall site layout.
Temp Fencing 247 can supply both types of fencing alongside other infrastructure, including trackway and temporary flooring and portable toilets and welfare facilities.
Temporary Fencing vs Steel Shielding FAQs
Is steel shielding the same as Heras fencing?
No. Heras fencing generally refers to temporary mesh fencing, while steel shielding uses solid steel panels. Both can establish temporary boundaries, but their construction, dimensions and screening characteristics differ.
Is steel shielding suitable for backstage areas?
Yes. Our steel shielding is suitable for applications such as festival and concert backstage areas, production compounds and other locations requiring substantial temporary screening.
Can steel shielding be installed on concrete?
Our steel shielding can be installed on suitable hard-standing surfaces using an appropriate ballast system. The installation arrangement must account for the location, ground conditions and anticipated loads.
Can I attach banners to temporary mesh fencing?
Any proposed banners or screening must be considered as part of the installation design. Adding solid material to mesh fencing can substantially increase wind loading, so banners should not be attached without confirming that the complete fencing arrangement is suitable.
Does steel shielding provide soundproofing?
Steel shielding provides a solid physical and visual boundary, but it should not automatically be treated as an acoustic barrier. Any requirement for a specified level of noise reduction would need separate consideration.
Which fencing should I use for a festival perimeter?
The appropriate system depends on the intended purpose of each section of the perimeter. Standard mesh fencing may be suitable for some boundaries, while steel shielding can provide additional screening around selected areas. The final arrangement should reflect the event's access, operational and safety requirements.
Temporary Fencing and Steel Shielding Hire Nationwide
Temp Fencing 247 supplies temporary fencing, steel shielding and supporting event infrastructure for construction projects, festivals, concerts, sporting occasions and other temporary requirements throughout the UK.
With over 40 years of experience in the entertainment and events industry, we understand that different sites require different approaches to temporary boundaries.
Our fully trained staff can deliver and install equipment, and we are fully covered by public liability insurance.
We provide nationwide coverage, including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, Newcastle, Glasgow, Leicester and surrounding areas. Further information is available on our areas covered page.
Discuss Your Fencing Requirements With Temp Fencing 247
If you're deciding between temporary mesh fencing and steel shielding, tell us what the boundary needs to achieve.
Useful information includes the proposed fencing length, site location, required height, screening requirements, access points, ground conditions and hire duration.
Our team can discuss the available systems and the equipment required for your project.
Office: 0800 009 6520 Mobile: 07773 397949 Email: info@tempfencing247.co.uk
Temp Fencing 247: temporary fencing, steel shielding and event infrastructure hire throughout the UK.
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