Wire mesh, which is also called plaster mesh or metal lath has large application in current construction practices particularly in plastering. It offers framework, toughness, and guarantee of long-lasting of the plastered surfaces. This blog post is solely focused on the importance of wire mesh in plastering; different types of wire mesh, advantages, and how to use it.
Understanding Wire Mesh
Wire mesh for plastering comes in various types such as the following materials; the galvanized steel wire mesh, stainless steel or fiberglass. The mesh is made of wires cross section arranged in the form of a grid and they come in different sizes and thickness. The kind of mesh used and the holes or openings of the mesh also depends with the type of plastering work to be done.
Types of Wire Mesh
Galvanized Steel Mesh: This type of scaffolding is galvanized whereby a layer of zinc is put on the surface to prevent it from rusting. It is mainly applied in exterior applications in buildings because it is vulnerable to moisture infiltration.
Stainless Steel Mesh: The stainless steel wire mesh is rough and incrusting resistant, which makes it perfect to be used in interior and exterior plastering. It is specially applicable to places more exposed to moisture or which use chemicals of any sort.
Fiberglass Mesh: Fiberglass mesh is light weighted and flexible, it has the characteristic of alkali and chemical corrosion resistance. This type is commonly utilized for use together with cement-based plasters and recommended for use indoors.
Advantages of the Working Surface with Wire Mesh in Plastering
Enhanced Structural Integrity: Next a wire mesh is applied on the plaster to avoid formation of cracks and to create flat surface on the wall. This is especially important in areas that are subjection to vigorously or shifting.
Increased Durability: In this, wire mesh boosts the life span productivity of the plastered surface this prepares itself for possible damages that may occur in the future.
Improved Adhesion: The mesh that is added creates a rough and more effective surface on to which the plaster can be applied with ease as well as giving a better finish.
Crack Prevention: The use of wire mesh ensures equal distribution of stress on the surface hence reducing the chances of formation of cracks and fractures on the plastered surface.
Versatility: Versatile in use, wire mesh can be applied to the interior and exterior, working with all kinds of plasters and types of surfaces.
Functions of Wire Mesh Used in Plastering
Preparation
As mentioned previously, the substrate is required to be prepared just before the application of the wire mesh. In this case, it involves washing the substrate especially if it is a surface where slimy dirt can easily accumulate and make it non-conductive. Slightly wetting of the substrate might be necessary if the coating is to be applied on the exterior surface of a structure.
Installation
1. Measuring and Cutting: Determine the size of the area to be plastered and mark it on the wire mesh then cut it with the help of the wire cutters. Overlapping of the mesh pieces is recommended so that there will not be any gaps in between.
2. Fixing the Mesh: Fasten the wire mesh to the substrate by using nails, screws, or staples depending on the type of wire mesh to be used. For extra measure, make sure that the mesh is tensed and secured as much as possible to the frame.
3. Overlapping and Jointing: When using several sheets of meshes, it is recommended that the edges are overlapped by at 2-3 inches. This also guarantees the formation of a continuous reinforcement layer so that its areas of weakness cannot arise. Also, check out the Stainless Steel Welded Wire Mesh.
Applying Plaster
1. Base Coat: Put down a skim coat of plaster over the wire mesh and make sure that this layer coats the mesh completely and enters into even the interstices in the mesh. Scatter the plaster using a trowel in order to get an even spread and then apply force on it to engage the mesh.
2. Scratch Coat: Following the creation of the base coat, make a scratch coat through etching the surface with the help of a notched trowel. This helps the subsequent layers of plaster to bond to and serves the functions of a key.
3. Finish Coat: Once the scratch coat is hardened; the finish coat of plaster should be applied. Trowel it down to give it a flat surface and make it as level as possible. The final coat can also be applied in a tined or smooth surface depending on the design that an individual intends to apply on the surface.
Considerations and Best Practices
1. Mesh Selection: Select the type of wire mesh depending on the characteristics of construction work, for example, resistance to moisture, chemical inactivity, strength.
2. Proper Installation: Check that the wire mesh is well anchored on the substrate and laps are appropriate to give a continuous reinforcement. Lack of appropriate tightness to the body or presence of any kind of mesh can also create flaws and possible failure.
3. Plaster Compatibility: It is recommended that one should use plasters that are appropriate for the type of wire mesh used. For example, alkali resistant fiberglass mesh should be used where, the cement based plasters are to be applied since they are chemically susceptible.
4. Environmental Conditions: The environmental conditions should also be taken into consideration depending on where the plaster will be applied on. One thing that can be added is that in external applications more protection is needed for the applied mesh and plaster to prevent them from getting damaged through inconsistencies of humidity and temperature.
Conclusion – Wire mesh is one of the most preferred tools in the today’s plastering due to features like reinforcement, durability, better bonding and non crackability, etc. Highlighting various types of wire mesh, the advantages of their usage and correct methods of their application, construction specialists will be able to achieve the creation of smooth and reliable plastered surface in construction and repair works. Both in internal and external application, the right incorporation of wire mesh in plastering works ensures one achieves a very durable finish that lasts for a very long time.