Erosion & Sediment Control / Free Self-Service Tool

Silt Fence Selector

Answer a few quick questions about your installation and we'll match you to the exact silt fence — standard, wire backed, or fabric only — with the right fabric weight, height, and wire mesh, plus live pricing and add-to-cart.

Silt fence is a temporary sediment barrier for erosion and sediment control on construction sites, lots, and disturbed ground. The biggest choices — install type, GSM (fabric weight), height, and wire mesh — are exactly what the selector walks you through. Use the tool, or read the full guide below.

Use the Silt Fence Selector above

Choosing silt fence sounds simple — until you're comparing 70 GSM against 100 GSM or deciding whether your slope needs wire backing. The Silt Fence Selector at the top of this page walks you through the install type, fabric weight, height, and wire mesh, then matches you to the exact products we stock, with live pricing and an add-to-cart option. The guide below explains every choice the selector asks about.

What Silt Fence Does and Why Type Matters

Silt fence is a temporary sediment barrier used for erosion and sediment control on construction sites, residential lots, and any disturbed ground where stormwater runoff could carry soil into streets, storm drains, or waterways. A woven geotextile fabric is stretched between posts so runoff slows down, ponds briefly, and drops its sediment load before the water passes through. Done right, silt fencing keeps your site compliant with local stormwater regulations and keeps mud where it belongs.

The single biggest decision is the type of silt fence, because it determines how the barrier is supported and how much force it can withstand:

Standard Wood-Stake

Fabric attached to oak stakes you drive by hand. Ideal for typical job sites, residential lots, and short-term erosion control.

Wire Backed

Welded-wire mesh behind the fabric for far greater strength. For long runs, steep slopes, high sediment loads, and many DOT "super silt fence" specs.

Fabric Only (for plows)

Bulk geotextile on a roll, installed mechanically with a silt fence plow. Best for large projects covering thousands of feet.

Understanding GSM (Fabric Weight)

GSM stands for grams per square meter, and it's the simplest way to compare how heavy-duty a silt fence fabric is. A higher GSM means a denser, stronger fabric that filters more sediment and lasts longer under sun and weather exposure.

Rule of thumb: 70 GSM handles the majority of installations. Step up to 100 GSM when the fence has to stay in place for an extended period or when you expect heavy runoff.

Fabric Weight	Duty Level	Best For
50 GSM	Light duty	Short-term jobs and lower sediment loads
70 GSM	Standard duty	The all-purpose choice — strength, filtration, and cost balanced
100 GSM	Heavy duty	Demanding sites, longer exposure, and DOT-grade work

Choosing the Right Height

Silt fence height is measured by the fabric, and taller fence holds back more water and sediment — at the cost of more material and deeper stakes.

24 inch (2 ft) — lighter coverage for low-flow areas and small lots.
36 inch (3 ft) — the standard height for most installations and the one most specifications call for.
42 inch and 48 inch (4 ft) — extra coverage for steeper grades, higher sediment loads, or areas where runoff tends to pool.

A good rule of thumb: 36 inches covers most situations, and you step up when the grade is steep or water collects.

Wire Mesh Spacing on Wire Backed Fence

If you go with wire backed silt fence, you'll choose between two mesh patterns. A 2 inch by 4 inch grid is tighter and gives the fabric the most support and rigidity. A 4 inch by 4 inch grid is more open, lighter, and more economical to handle. Both are reinforced and durable; the choice comes down to how much rigidity your site demands versus how easy you want the material to be to work with.

Don't Forget the Posts

Wire backed silt fence needs steel T-posts to support its added weight — plan on roughly 11 posts per 100-foot roll, spaced about every 8 to 10 feet. Standard wood-stake fence already includes its stakes. The selector reminds you to add T-posts when you choose a wire backed option, so you don't get to the job site short on hardware.

How Much Silt Fence Do I Need?

Measure the linear footage of the perimeter (or contour line) you need to protect, then divide by the roll length — most of our fence comes in 100-foot rolls. Add a little extra for overlap at the seams, where you splice two runs together, and for any corners or returns. For wire backed installations, calculate your T-posts at about 11 per roll. If you're estimating a large or unusually shaped site and want a second set of eyes, our team is happy to help on the phone.

Silt Fence Installation Basics

01Trench the Bottom

Trench in the bottom edge of the fabric so water can't undercut it — the buried lip is what makes the fence work.

02Set Posts Downhill

Drive posts on the downhill side of the fabric, and follow the contour of the land rather than running straight down a slope.

03Lap the Joints

Overlap and wrap fabric at joints so sediment can't escape between runs.

04Inspect & Clean

Inspect after every significant rain, removing accumulated sediment before it reaches roughly one-third of the fence height.

Shop Silt Fence

Standard Wood-Stake Silt Fence Hand-installed fence with oak stakes — the everyday choice for typical job sites and residential lots. Shop Standard → Wire Backed Silt Fence Welded-wire reinforcement for long runs, steep slopes, heavy sediment, and DOT-grade work. Shop Wire Backed → Steel T-Posts Support posts for wire backed installations — about 11 per 100-foot roll. Shop T-Posts →

Silt Fence FAQ

What is a silt fence used for?

Silt fence is a temporary sediment barrier used for erosion and sediment control on construction sites, residential lots, and disturbed ground where stormwater runoff could carry soil into streets, storm drains, or waterways. The fabric slows runoff so it drops its sediment before passing through, helping keep a site compliant with local stormwater regulations.

How does a silt fence work?

A woven geotextile fabric is stretched between posts and trenched into the ground along the bottom edge. When runoff reaches it, the fence slows the water so it ponds briefly and drops its suspended soil, while the water itself filters through. The buried bottom lip stops water from undercutting the fence.

What's the difference between standard and wire backed silt fence?

Standard wood-stake silt fence is hand-installed with oak stakes and is ideal for typical job sites and short-term erosion control. Wire backed silt fence adds a welded-wire mesh behind the fabric for far greater strength, making it the choice for long runs, steep slopes, high sediment loads, and many DOT "super silt fence" projects.

What does GSM mean on silt fence?

GSM stands for grams per square meter and measures the fabric weight. Higher GSM means a denser, stronger fabric that filters more sediment and lasts longer. 50 GSM is light duty, 70 GSM is the all-purpose standard most buyers choose, and 100 GSM is heavy duty for demanding sites and DOT-grade work.

What height of silt fence do I need?

36 inch (3 ft) silt fence is the standard height for most installations and what most specifications call for. 24 inch fence suits low-flow areas and small lots, while 42 inch and 48 inch fence provide extra coverage for steep grades, higher sediment loads, or areas where runoff pools.

How deep does silt fence need to be trenched?

The bottom edge of the fabric should be buried in a trench so water can't flow underneath it — typically the fabric is turned into a trench several inches deep and backfilled. Follow your local specification for exact trench depth; the key is that the buried lip prevents undercutting.

How much silt fence do I need?

Measure the linear footage of the perimeter or contour line you need to protect, then divide by the roll length — most silt fence comes in 100-foot rolls. Add extra for overlap at seams and for corners. For wire backed installations, plan on roughly 11 steel T-posts per 100-foot roll.

When is a silt fence required?

Silt fence is generally required whenever ground is disturbed and stormwater could carry sediment off-site — most construction and land-disturbance projects need it to meet local and federal stormwater (erosion and sediment control) regulations. Check your jurisdiction's requirements and any project-specific erosion control plan.

Ready to Choose Your Silt Fence?

Use the Silt Fence Selector at the top of this page to get a product match, see current pricing, and add what you need to your cart. Estimating a large or unusually shaped site? Our team specs orders with contractors every day.