Gabion mesh is the double-twist hexagonal wire fabric supplied in rolls or panels; gabion box and mattress are the same mesh factory-fabricated into dimensioned wire containers, delivered folded and assembled on site, then filled with stone. Choose mesh when you fabricate or wrap on site — choose boxes when you need ready-made, dimensioned units for retaining walls, riverbanks and slope protection.
1. The Same Material, Two Different Purchases
Buyers often use the two terms interchangeably, but a quotation request means very different things to a factory. Gabion mesh is a material line item: you specify mesh opening, wire diameter, coating and roll or panel size, and you receive woven fabric. Gabion box and mattress are fabricated units: the mesh is cut, edged, and bound into boxes or flat mattresses in fixed dimensions, with internal diaphragms and lacing wire, so the units can be placed, filled with stone and closed on site.
At PULU both products are produced from the same double-twist hexagonal weave — a broken wire cannot unravel, which keeps the structure stable under load. The weave is the shared foundation; the difference is fabrication, dimensions and how the material is used.
2. Side-by-Side Specification Comparison
| Item | Gabion Mesh | Gabion Box & Mattress |
|---|---|---|
| Form supplied | Woven fabric — rolls or panels | Fabricated boxes / flat mattresses, folded for export |
| Material | Galvanized / PVC-coated | Galvanized / Galfan / PVC-coated |
| Wire diameter | 2.0–4.0 mm | 2.0–4.0 mm |
| Mesh opening | 60×80 mm / 80×100 mm | 60×80 mm / 80×100 mm |
| Dimensions | Custom dimensions available | Standard 1.0×1.0×1.0 m up to 3.0 m units |
| Typical use | Retaining walls, erosion control, riverbank protection, landscaping, on-site panel fabrication | Riverbank protection, slope protection, landscaping — placed and stone-filled as units |
| MOQ | Available according to specification and order quantity | 100 sets |
| Lead time | Available according to specification and order quantity | 15–22 days |
Specification values above are the published ranges for PULU gabion products. If your project uses a different standard (for example a national gabion standard or a consultant specification), send the drawing or sample and production is made to it.
3. How to Choose
Choose gabion mesh when…
- You fabricate or cut panels on site yourself
- You wrap, reinforce or surface-protect existing structures
- You need flexible roll formats for transport and storage
- Your distributor business resells mesh by roll or panel
Choose gabion box & mattress when…
- You place dimensioned units and fill them with stone on site
- The design calls for retaining walls or riverbank works
- You want the mesh factory-cut, edged and bound to size
- Your contractor needs a repeatable unit, not raw fabric
In practice, many projects use both: boxes or mattresses for the main structural elements, and mesh rolls for patching, aprons, and detail work. Ask for a combined quotation if that matches your bill of quantities.
4. What to Send for an Accurate Quotation
- Product form — mesh rolls/panels, or boxes/mattresses with dimensions
- Mesh opening — 60×80 mm or 80×100 mm, or your own values
- Wire diameter — 2.0–4.0 mm or your specification
- Coating — galvanized, Galfan or PVC-coated
- Quantity — rolls, panels, square metres or number of units
- Destination port — for packing and shipping calculation
Send your required mesh size, wire diameter, width and quantity and you receive a quotation with lead time within 24 hours. If a sample or drawing exists, send that instead — production is made to it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is gabion mesh the same as gabion box?
They share the same double-twist hexagonal weave, but gabion mesh is sold as fabric in rolls or panels, while gabion box and mattress are fabricated containers in fixed dimensions. The mesh is the raw material; the box is the finished unit.
Which mesh sizes are available?
Standard mesh openings are 60×80 mm and 80×100 mm, with wire diameters from 2.0 mm to 4.0 mm. Custom dimensions are available.
Which coating should I choose for a riverside project?
Galvanized is the common choice; Galfan and PVC-coated options are also produced for gabion box and mattress. Tell us the environment and the design life required and we will advise on the coating type in the quotation.
Can PULU produce to our own specification?
Yes. Send your specification, drawing or sample and the product is manufactured to it — including non-standard mesh openings, wire diameters and unit dimensions.
Can you supply both boxes and mesh rolls in one order?
Yes — mixed orders are quoted together so the lead time and loading plan are consistent.
How is the product packed for export?
Boxes and mattresses are folded and bundled; mesh is supplied in rolls. Packing is arranged for container loading, and the exact method is confirmed on the quotation according to quantity and destination.
Request a Quotation
Send mesh opening, wire diameter, coating, dimensions and quantity — quotation with lead time within 24 hours.
Eric Wang · Export Manager · HEBEI PULU METAL ALLOY MATERIAL CO., LTD.
WhatsApp: +86 190 0328 0333 · Email: eric@pulumesh.com