Plaster mesh: main characteristics, installation tips, how to attach to the wall

To level curved walls in the premises, plaster is used. In addition to obtaining a smooth and even surface, you need to take care that the wall is reliable and strong. In this will help plaster mesh.

Today, manufacturers produce two types of such nets: metal and fiberglass (or plastic). Specialists advise for uneven walls with depressions and pits more than 5 mm. to use a metal mesh. If the wall is lumpy, and has concavities, convexities, then a fiberglass mesh is suitable.

When choosing a mesh should pay attention to the size of the cells and their quality. It should be resistant to stretching. If a piece of mesh is crumpled into a ball, it should immediately take its original shape. The main characteristics of the mesh are usually indicated by the manufacturer in the data sheet. It is recommended to immediately buy fasteners.

Plaster mesh is sold in rolls. It must be resistant to the action of alkaline solutions. To check this, you need to put a piece of mesh for 25 days in the solution, then try to tear it. The decrease in strength in this case should be minimal.

Fixing metal mesh

Apply metal mesh can be used for any plastering mortars and mixtures. But plastic mesh can not be combined with gypsum mortar. There are different types of metal mesh on the market:

• By types: reinforcement, perforated, perforated, rabbit mesh, woven and welded.
• By diameter and size of metal wire.
• By size and shape of cells.
• By the presence of coating: with a polymer or galvanized.

With the help of metal mesh you can eliminate irregularities up to 6 cm. If you use galvanized mesh, then you can get a durable and very reliable surface. In terms of wear resistance and moisture resistance, it has the best indicators.

How to start fixing the mesh:

• With the help of special scissors cut a piece of mesh. It should have the size from the floor to the ceiling. To fix the mesh under the ceiling, you will need help.
• Usually the masters first fix the 4 corners of the mesh, and then continue to fix it already without assistance.
• The frequency of fastening will depend on the thickness of the material and the size of the cells.
• Before fixing the metal mesh, remove all debris and dust.

The base surface should be moistened to improve adhesion. A plaster layer is applied. Properly fastened mesh should be strongly stretched. Where there are no fastening elements, it should not vibrate, otherwise voids may form under it.

Installation of fiberglass mesh

This type of mesh is used when it is necessary to strengthen the surface layer of plaster. Glass cloth mesh with density of 145 gr. or 165 gr. per meter square is in demand. Usually it is used to reinforce the plaster layer of building facades. Fiberglass mesh is suitable for reinforcing plaster in places where different materials are used, including wood and brick. The consumption of 1 m wide mesh is: 1.1 meters linear per square meter. The laying technology requires its recessing into fresh plaster to a depth of approximately 5 mm.

Fiberglass mesh - a mandatory element when insulating the walls from the outside with foam. After the foam plates were attached to the wall, a fiberglass mesh is placed on them. To do this, a small area is covered with a rough layer of plaster and immediately apply a cut piece of mesh.

Then with a spatula, the plaster is leveled over the mesh and pressed into the depths. The next day it is necessary to repeat this procedure, having previously removed the bumps and burrs with a spatula. Each strip of mesh during installation should be overlapped with the previous one by 15-20 cm, so that there are no cracks later.