Drone Protection Net: Woven vs Welded Mesh Compared
A drone protection net is a physical barrier designed to stop or deflect small unmanned aircraft before they reach a sensitive asset. Two constructions dominate the market - woven mesh and welded mesh - and the choice between them affects strength, aperture size, wind load, installation time and cost. This guide compares both types, explains how wire diameter and mesh aperture determine what the net stops, and sets out the specification points that matter for refineries, gas storage, tank farms, grain silos and other critical sites.
Two Mesh Constructions
Woven Drone Net
Woven netting is made by interlacing wires or strands so each strand crosses its neighbours. The result is flexible, self-damping and easy to wrap around irregular shapes such as pipework, flare stacks and roof edges. Because the strands are not welded at every intersection, a woven net absorbs impact energy by local deformation rather than transferring the whole load to one node, which is an advantage when the net is mounted on existing steelwork that was not designed for extra loads.
Welded Drone Net
Welded mesh is produced by welding wires at each intersection, giving a rigid panel with fixed aperture and high dimensional stability. It holds its shape under wind pressure, presents a flat, predictable barrier and is faster to install over large open areas because panels can be craned into place and bolted to a frame. Welded panels are the preferred option for perimeter screens, roof covers and open-yard protection where a straight, uniform surface is required.
Wire Diameter, Aperture and What the Net Stops
What a net stops depends on the combination of wire diameter, aperture and mesh mass, not on the label. A coarse aperture with heavy wire will stop a larger multirotor but may allow a small racing drone through; a fine aperture with lighter wire stops small craft but has less resistance to a heavy impact. In practice, protective screens for industrial sites are specified with apertures small enough to prevent rotor passage and wire heavy enough to survive repeated impact and wind fatigue. Buyers should state the target drone class, the approach speed and the acceptable deformation, then let the mesh be selected against those figures rather than choosing a mesh size by appearance.
Span, Wind Load and Framing
Both constructions need a frame, but they behave differently. Welded panels transfer wind load directly to their supports, so the frame and anchor design carry most of the engineering effort. Woven net distributes load through the strands and needs careful tensioning at the edges; undertensioned woven net will sag and lose aperture control, while overtensioned net can fail at the boundary. On exposed sites - coastal terminals, desert tank farms, elevated roofs - wind load usually governs the design more than the drone threat itself, so the net, frame and anchors should be specified as one system.
Where Each Type Fits
Refineries, Tank Farms and Gas Storage
Welded panels suit the large flat screens around tank bunds, loading racks and gas storage yards, where a rigid uniform barrier can be bolted to structural steel. Woven net is better around irregular equipment, pipe bridges and flare structures where the barrier has to follow complex geometry.
Grain Silos and Warehouses
Roof and wall openings are usually covered with welded mesh fixed to a light frame, because the net must span openings without sagging and must allow routine maintenance access.
Airfields, Prisons and Temporary Events
Large perimeter work favours welded panels for speed; temporary event protection often uses woven net because it can be folded, transported and re-tensioned quickly.
Installation and Fixing Details
Three details decide whether a net performs as specified. First, edge fixing: every boundary must be anchored to a rigid member, not tied to a flexible one. Second, corrosion protection: hot dip galvanized wire is the default for outdoor industrial use, with stainless or coated options where chemical exposure is severe. Third, inspection access: design in removable panels or access hatches so the net can be checked without dismantling the whole screen.
Specification Checklist
Before requesting a quotation, prepare: site dimensions and maximum unsupported span, target drone class and approach speed, wind load requirement, mesh construction preference, wire diameter and aperture, coating and expected service life, mounting method and anchor type, and whether access hatches are needed. Send these to the supplier and ask for the mesh mass per square meter and the panel or roll dimensions, so freight and installation can be planned properly. See the welded drone protection net and the full drone protection net range.
FAQ About Drone Protection Nets
Q: Is woven or welded mesh better for drone protection?
Welded for large flat screens and fast installation; woven for irregular shapes and where impact energy must be absorbed locally.
Q: What aperture stops a small drone?
Aperture must be small enough to prevent rotor passage for the target class. Specify the drone class and let the mesh be selected against it rather than choosing by appearance.
Q: Does the net need a steel frame?
Yes. Both types require a designed frame and anchors; on exposed sites wind load normally governs the structure more than the drone threat.
Q: Which coating suits outdoor industrial sites?
Hot dip galvanized wire is the standard. Stainless steel or polymer-coated options are used where chemical or coastal exposure is severe.
Q: Can you supply net panels to site dimensions?
Yes. Send dimensions, span, drone class and wind requirement to Dutai. WhatsApp / Mobile: +86 158 0311 4155 | Email: sales@cndutai.com or info@studdedtpost.com. Address: Anping City, Hengshui City, Hebei Province, China.