How to fix the facade and plaster composite mesh: step by step

Composite reinforcing mesh is a web of glass composite bars or tapes that works not as fasteners, but as a reinforcement of a plaster layer. Understand, how to fix the mesh correctly, means to learn one principle: the canvas should be inside the mortar, closer to its outer third, and not lie on the surface of the wall under a layer of air. It is the mesh glued into the plaster mass that takes on tensile forces and prevents the finish from cracking.

ETHYZ composite mesh does not rust or corrode, is dielectric, lighter than metal welded mesh and does not form cold bridges. It is rolled, cut with scissors or a grinder and cut directly on the site. At the same time, it can not be cooked — it is a composite, so all connections are made overlapping, and not by welding.

How to fix the composite mesh on the facade

The method of fastening depends on which layer you reinforce. In most facade systems, the mesh does not require mechanical fasteners at all — it is held by the mortar itself. Mechanical anchors are added only at difficult bases and high heights.

Insertion into solution/adhesive — the main method: the mesh is pressed with a spatula or a grater into a fresh layer of plaster or adhesive composition.
Adhesive composition — for wet facade systems (by insulation), the web is glued to the base reinforcing layer over the slabs.
Mechanical fixation — plate dowels or mounting stapler hold the web on the vertical while the mortar is applied; after drying, the load is borne by the layer, not the fasteners.

Step-by-step technology: how to fix the mesh under the plaster

Preparing the substrate The wall is cleaned from dust, delamination and laps, primed if necessary. The base must be strong and dry.
The first layer of the solution. Apply a base layer of plaster or adhesive with a thickness sufficient to drown the web.
Cutting and styling. The mesh is cut with scissors or a grinder according to the size of the work zone and applied to the fresh solution from top to bottom.
Sinking. The canvas is smoothed from the center to the edges with a smooth spatula, pressing it into the layer so that the solution protrudes through the cell. The mesh should go to the outer third of the layer.
Overlap of canvases. Adjacent strips are laid overlapping, not butt-over, so that the seam is reinforced.
Leveling Layer A second layer of solution is applied on top, completely hiding the mesh, and it is brought out for finishing.

Overlap, angles and junctions

The weak points of the facade are the joints of the canvases, the corners of the openings and the outer/inner corners of the building. This is where cracks most often appear if the mesh is laid carelessly.

Overlap. The canvases are connected overlapping with the approach of one to the other; butt jointing is not allowed — there will be no reinforcement along the seam.
Outer corners. The mesh is turned around the corner with an approach to the adjacent plane, or an angular profile with an integrated mesh is used.
Angles of openings. On the corners of windows and doors, additional kerchiefs are placed — pieces of linen at 45°, which dampen the voltages diverging from the angle.
Abutments. At the joints of dissimilar materials, the mesh is wound on both surfaces, overlapping the seam.

Approximate laying parameters

The exact values depend on the system and the manufacturer of the composition; below are generalized landmarks for reinforcing the plaster and facade layer with composite mesh.

Parameter	How it works
Position of the grid in the layer	In the outer third of the solution, closer to the face of the finish
Overlap of adjacent canvases	Overlap, butt joint not applicable
Vertical mounting	Insertion into solution; if necessary — dowels/stapler
Angles of openings	Diagonal gussets under 45°
Cutting the canvas	Scissors or grinder, on site
Connection by welding;	Not applicable — composite material

Typical installation errors

Most of the facade defects are not related to the mesh, but to the violation of its laying technology. The most common errors are:

The mesh was attached to the wall dry and plastered on top. The canvas is on the border of the wall and mortar, it does not work as a reinforcement — the layer cracks.
The canvas lay on the surface. If the mesh is not drowned, it stains and does not reinforce the layer.
Butt joint instead of overlap. There is no reinforcement along the seam — a linear crack appears.
The corners of the openings are not reinforced. Diagonal cracks diverge from the corners of the windows — they are removed with scarves.
The solution is dry. The mesh is laid in a fresh, "live" layer; it can no longer be drowned in a dried one.

ETHYZ composite mesh is a durable replacement for metal welded mesh and netting: it does not corrode under the plaster, does not give rusty flows on the facade and does not form cold bridges. You can choose the web of the desired width and cells for a specific system in eTHYZ Composite Mesh Catalogue; the price is to be specified upon request. For reinforcement of masonry joints, screeds and facades in one grid section both the SSC reinforcement grid and masonry tapes are assembled.

FAQs

How to fix the composite mesh under the plaster?

The mesh is not nailed over the wall, but is sunk into a fresh layer of solution or glue. First, the base layer is applied, the web is applied and pressed with a smooth spatula so that the solution protrudes through the cell. The mesh should be in the outer third of the layer, after which an alignment layer is applied, completely hiding it.

Do you need mechanical fasteners or enough mortar?

In most plastering and facade systems, the mesh is held by the mortar itself — mechanical fasteners are not required. Plate dowels or mounting stapler are used on complex bases and high heights to hold the web vertically while the layer is applied. After drying, the working load is carried by the reinforced layer, not by the fasteners.

How to overlap a composite mesh?

Neighboring canvases are laid overlapping, with one set on the other, and not butt-over. Butt joint leaves the seam unreinforced and a crack will follow. At the corners of the building, the grid is wrapped around the corner on an adjacent plane, and diagonal gussets are placed at 45 degrees at the corners of windows and doors.

Is it possible to cut and cook composite mesh?

You can cut the composite mesh of ETIZ directly on the object — with scissors on thin ribbons or with a grinder. But it cannot be cooked: it is a composite material, not a metal. All web connections are made overlapping inside the mortar, so welding during installation is not required in principle.

Why is composite mesh better than metal mesh on the facade?

The composite mesh does not rust or corrode under the plaster, so it does not give rusty flows on the finish. It is lighter than metal welded mesh, is dielectric and does not form cold bridges. The canvas is rolled into a roll — it is convenient to carry, cut and lay, which greatly simplifies installation on the facade.