On Thu, 17 Oct 2013 09:38:07 -0700, "Bob F" wrote:

wrote:
On Wed, 16 Oct 2013 11:46:13 -0700, "Bob F"
wrote:

IGot2P wrote:
No, they can't get through a 1/4" square but chances are they will
get through the seams as the hardware cloth that I am familiar with
only comes in widths of approximately 2' and how you could make the
seams "mouse proof" is beyond me.

I got a roll of 4' wide 1/4" hardware cloth in my garage, so 2' is
not the limit.


Yes, they do sell 4' wide rolls. I checked online and called a few
stores today. It's cheaper to buy a 100 foot roll, which I'd need two
rolls plus another 25 feet or so. I wish they made it 6 foot wide
though. Of course I'll use metal. I know mice can and do chew thru
all plastics. For the seams, I figure putting some sort of metal
strapping, such as flattened drywall corner bead,

You can just stich the seams together with small hard wire, like fine baling
wire. Or you could build a frame of 1x2 with the appropriate spacing, nail it to
the bottom, and staple the hardware cloth to that. That would help electrically
isolate the cloth from other metals is might contact to avoid corrosion
problems. You could also fold the cloth over the edges of that frame if needed
to keep the mice away from the wood.

For stitching, just bend the end of the wire into a curve, and loop it up
through the two layers and back out every few inches. Then stretch it tight from
the ends.


That sounds like a plan.....
I just got an email back from a company that I contacted, and they can
special order 60 inch wide rolls of this stuff. I like that idea, less
seams to contend with. There is really no way to electrically isolate
the mesh from the frame, because the trailers all have metal beams under
them, and the mesh will have to be pushed over the top of these beams by
lifting the "belly", which is the insulation. I do intend to fold the
cloth over the edges of the frame, and attach it along the edges of the
walls where the skirting goes. That way it's sealed all the way around.