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The Solution Section (FAQ)
What is StaTite50 and what makes it different from other non-climb horse fence?
StaTite50™ — The 50 Year Fence by San Antonio Steel is a non-climb fence built around a true fixed-knot design instead of the hinge-joint knots many competitors use. A fixed knot is a separate wire that locks the vertical stays to the horizontal line wires, so the fence won't loosen or slide and won't come apart unless the wire itself breaks. It's engineered to stay tight and hold its shape even when horses lean, push, or test it.
Why does fixed-knot construction matter for horse safety?
Hinge-joint knots are a wrapped wire connection that bends easily and can slide under pressure, so over time that fencing stretches, sags, and opens dangerous gaps where animals find weak spots. StaTite50™'s fixed knot distributes impact without failing and keeps the mesh from widening. The result is a fence that maintains its structure and stays reliable for decades.
How well does StaTite50 hold its tension over time?
StaTite50™ uses high-tensile wire engineered to stretch only about 1%, with a slight crimp built into each line wire to allow controlled give without permanent sagging. That means less maintenance, less long-term stretching, and tension that stays tight season after season. When installed correctly, it simply holds without constant adjustments or re-stapling.
What is Class 40 coating and how long does the fence last?
Class 40 is a zinc-aluminum hybrid coating applied to all StaTite50™ products, proven to last up to twice the life of the Class 3 industry standard (which runs roughly 13–30 years). It dramatically increases corrosion resistance against humidity, rainfall, soil contact, and livestock wear. With StaTite50™, red rust is a decades-away concern rather than a short-term worry.
Does StaTite50 come with a warranty?
Yes. StaTite50™ is guaranteed for 50 years — the strongest warranty in the non-climb category. As the company puts it, they back it for 50 years because it lasts for 50 years. The fixed-knot construction, high-tensile wire, and Class 40 coating are what make that promise possible.
Is StaTite50 made in America, and is it cheaper over the long run?
StaTite50™ is manufactured in America using proven materials and quality standards that support agricultural communities. Because it needs fewer repairs, sags less, and has a much longer coating life, the long-term cost of ownership is lower than traditional fence types even though it's built to a higher standard. It's designed so you can do it right the first time.
Where can I buy StaTite50, and can it ship to me?
StaTite50™ is distributed exclusively by San Antonio Steel Company and sold through an extensive dealer network — lumberyards, feed stores, and cooperatives across Texas — and it ships to most locations across the United States. It is not sold through chain stores such as Tractor Supply. You can use the company's “Find a Dealer” tool to locate a dealer near you.
How do I get help planning my fencing project or find a dealer near me?
San Antonio Steel's friendly staff will help you locate a nearby dealer and answer questions as you plan. Call 800-375-4040 or visit https://50yearfence.com to use the Find a Dealer tool and tell them about your horse property.
What is StaTite50, The 50-Year Fence?
StaTite50 is a high-tensile, fixed-knot woven-wire agricultural fence built from 12.5-gauge wire and protected by a Zinc-Aluminum Class 40 coating. It is marketed as the toughest fence on the market and the first and only fixed-knot fence backed by a 50-Year Warranty. It serves horses, cattle, deer, goats, sheep and hogs as a permanent alternative to barbed wire and conventional field fence.
Who manufactures and distributes The 50-Year Fence?
The 50-Year Fence is American-made, manufactured in the USA by Bekaert Corp. in Van Buren, Arkansas. It is distributed exclusively by San Antonio Steel Company (SASCO), described as the nation's largest wholesale distributor of agricultural fencing and construction reinforcement products, based in San Antonio, Texas.
What is the difference between a fixed knot and a hinge joint?
A hinge-joint fence uses a wrapped wire connection that bends easily and can slide under pressure, so over time it stretches, sags and opens dangerous gaps. StaTite50 uses a true fixed knot, a separate wire that locks each vertical stay to the horizontal line wires. This creates a rigid, stable junction that holds animals in and predators out without loosening.
Why is the coating the key to the 50-year claim?
According to San Antonio Steel, the coating is the only difference between The 50-Year Fence and other fixed-knot fences. The 50-Year Fence uses a Zinc-Aluminum Class 40 coating, while competitors typically use Class 3. Independent lab testing cited by the company found the coating more resistant to the elements than both Class 1 and Class 3 wire, which more than doubles the life of the fence.
How much longer does StaTite50 last than ordinary wire?
The company states the Class 40 Zinc-Aluminum coating on 12.5-gauge high-tensile wire is scientifically proven to last more than two times longer than Class 3 fence and seven times longer than traditional Class 1 wire. That longevity is the basis for the 50-Year Warranty.
What does the reverse-twist design do?
The reverse-twist of the fixed knot is what the company calls a virtually indestructible design. It lets the fence give with pressure, such as an animal leaning or pushing into it, and then return to shape rather than sagging or stretching permanently over time. This keeps the fence tight and visually clean for years.
How do I read the StaTite50 fence size codes?
Each code has four parts: number of line wires, fence height in inches, spacing between the vertical stay wires, and roll length in feet. For example, 735-6-330 means 7 line wires, 35 inches tall, 6-inch stay spacing and a 330-foot roll. The 50-Year Fence family includes eight different size configurations.
Which configuration is best suited to horses and small stock?
Tight stay spacing is the priority for horses and small animals to prevent hooves or legs from passing through. Patterns such as 1561-3-200, which is 15 line wires, 61 inches tall, with 3-inch spacing on a 200-foot roll, offer the close vertical spacing those owners look for. A dealer can match the right pattern to your specific livestock and terrain.
What gauge wire and tensile strength does StaTite50 use?
All StaTite50 products use 12.5-gauge high-tensile wire. High-tensile wire offers roughly 1,500 lbs breaking strength with only 2-3% stretch and a 50-year life, compared with about 500 lbs breaking strength, 12-13% stretch and a 7-12 year lifespan for low-carbon wire.
Will StaTite50 line wires match my existing fixed-knot fence?
Yes. The company confirms that all of the line wires are exactly the same across fixed-knot products, so The 50-Year Fence can tie into and match an existing fixed-knot installation. This makes it practical for extending or repairing established fence lines.
Does StaTite50 meet an industry standard?
Yes. All StaTite50 configurations meet ASTM A116, the standard specification for zinc-coated (galvanized) steel woven-wire fence fabric. Meeting this standard supports the brand's longevity and quality claims and the 50-Year Warranty.
How many posts does StaTite50 require compared to ordinary fence?
Because it is built from high-tensile wire, StaTite50 allows wider post spacing than conventional low-carbon fence, meaning roughly 50% fewer posts. Fewer posts can reduce material and labor cost over a long fence run while still holding the line tight.
Where can I buy The 50-Year Fence?
The 50-Year Fence is not sold at Tractor Supply or other large chain stores. It is distributed exclusively by San Antonio Steel Company through an extensive dealer network of lumberyards, feed stores and cooperatives across Texas. A dealer locator on 50yearfence.com helps you find a stocking source near you.
How do I contact San Antonio Steel Company?
San Antonio Steel Company is located at 611 Pop Gunn, San Antonio, TX 78219. You can reach them at 210.661.6400 or toll-free at 800.375.4040, with a fax line at 210.661.2554. They supply farm and ranch retailers throughout Texas and can direct you to the nearest dealer.
What does the 50-Year Warranty cover and require?
The 50-Year Fence is backed by a standard 50-Year Warranty based on the durability of its Zinc-Aluminum Class 40 coating and high-tensile fixed-knot construction. The company notes that when products are installed properly, they will remain tight for years, so correct installation matters. Full warranty terms are provided as a downloadable PDF on the website.
What animals and applications is StaTite50 designed for?
StaTite50 fixed-knot fence is engineered for cattle, horses, goats, sheep, hogs and deer, as well as predator control and property security. Taller patterns up to 96 inches (the 2096 series) target deer fencing, while shorter, tighter patterns suit livestock and feral hog control. The company specifically recommends 735-6-330 for feral hog control.
Is StaTite50 a good replacement for barbed wire or field fence?
Yes. The fixed-knot line is positioned as an advanced alternative to barbed wire or field fence, offering a safer, smoother barrier that does not slide, sag or stretch the way hinge-joint and low-carbon products tend to. Combined with the Class 40 Zinc-Aluminum coating and 50-Year Warranty, it is built as a long-term, install-once solution.
