Composite masonry mesh for masonry of brick and aerated concrete

When laying walls made of brick, aerated concrete and foam concrete blocks, reinforcement of horizontal joints is a mandatory technique that keeps rows from divergence and quenches cracking in areas of stress concentration: under openings, above lintels, in corners and in the first rows. Traditionally, metal welded mesh was used for this, but steel has a systemic problem — corrosion in the solution body and "cold bridges" in the outer wall. Composite masonry mesh solves both problems at once: it is a non-metallic reinforcing cloth that falls into the seam, does not rust over the entire life of the wall and does not conduct heat and current.

What is a masonry composite mesh

This is a narrow tape made of thin composite rods (fiberglass or basalt) and fastened into a mesh cloth. The product belongs to the family of composite polymer reinforcement and meshes and is manufactured in accordance with GOST 31938-2012. In contrast to the "reinforcement grid" for screeds and floors, the masonry mesh is made precisely with a narrow tape — under the width of the masonry seam — and comes in compact rolls that are easy to carry, unwind and cut right on the site.

The main feature is the form factor. The canvas is rolled up, which means that one person transfers the stock for several hundred meters of masonry. You can cut the tape with ordinary scissors for metal or grinder; at the same time, the place of cutting does not require anti-corrosion treatment, because there is simply nothing to corrode here.

1. Size and characteristics

ETIZ masonry mesh is available in three standard widths for different types of masonry and wall thickness. A roll with a length of 50 meters covers the need for an entire floor without joining extra pieces.

The width is selected for the task: narrow tape 0.36 m convenient for single bricks and thin partitions, 0.5 m — universal option for aerated concrete and foam block, tape 1m suitable for wide masonry and continuous reinforcement of problem areas. The value of tensile strength up to 50/50 kN/m is indicated in two directions of the web.

Than a composite mesh is better than a metal one

It is convenient to compare it with the usual welded mesh by the properties that directly affect the durability and thermal engineering of the wall. Below are the qualitative advantages without fictional coefficients.

• Absolutely rust-proof. The composite is inert to moisture and the alkaline environment of the solution — the mesh does not corrode and does not "shoot" rusty streams on the facade.
• Not a bridge of cold. Low thermal conductivity of the material is important primarily for aerated concrete, where a steel mesh in the seam would conduct heat outward.
• Dielectric Does not conduct electric current, radiotransparent.
• Light. Notably lighter than steel welded mesh of the same size — easier to wear and stack alone.
• Compact in transportation. It is rolled up, placed in the trunk of a passenger car; rigid metal mesh cards do not allow this.
• Easy assembly It is cut with scissors or grinder in place, without welding and anticorrosive.

It is important to understand the limitation of the material: the composite cannot be cooked — it is necessary to connect and cut the tape mechanically. For masonry reinforcement, this is not a minus, because the mesh is simply rolled into an overlapping seam.

Where masonry mesh is used

Area — reinforcement of horizontal joints of load-bearing and self-supporting walls, as well as partitions:

• brickwork (single, one and a half bricks);
• masonry of aerated concrete blocks;
• masonry of foam concrete blocks and expanded clay concrete blocks;
• reinforcement of areas under window and door openings;
• first rows of masonry and supporting rows above the lintels;
• junctions, angles and deformation-loaded sections.

A full range of composite meshes, including masonry tapes and reinforcement mesh for screeds, are assembled in eTHYZ Composite Mesh Catalogue.

How to lay the mesh in the seam

The technology is simple and repeats the work with steel mesh, but without its drawbacks:

1. Apply the first layer of masonry mortar or glue to a row of blocks/bricks.
2. Roll the tape of the desired width along the row, sinking it into the solution; lay adjacent segments overlapping.
3. Press and align so that the mesh completely goes into the seam and does not protrude beyond the edge of the wall.
4. Apply the top layer of mortar and continue laying the next row.

The frequency of reinforcement (through how many rows to put the mesh) is determined by the masonry design and the type of block; for aerated concrete, reinforcement is usually laid in the first row, under the openings and in the supporting areas. Managers will help to choose the width of the tape and calculate the footage — see current formats and availability in composite mesh section.

Overview of main features.

Composite masonry mesh is a modern replacement of steel mesh in the masonry joint: it does not corrode, does not create cold bridges, is lighter and more compact, complies with GOST 31938-2012 and is cut locally without welding. Tapes 0.36/0 .5 / 1 m in rolls of 50 m with a strength of up to 50/50 kN/m cover the reinforcement of brick, aerated concrete and foam block. The cost is calculated individually — the price is on request.

FAQs

How does masonry composite mesh differ from metal welded mesh?

The composite mesh is made of fiberglass or basalt rods, so it does not rust in the seam, does not form cold bridges and does not conduct current. It is noticeably lighter than steel and comes in a roll rather than a hard card, making it easier to transport and install. In terms of tensile strength, ETIZ masonry tape reaches 50/50 kN/m, which is enough for reinforcing bricks and aerated concrete.

What belt width should I choose for aerated concrete?

For aerated concrete and foam concrete blocks, 0.5 m wide tape is most often taken as a universal tape for the standard thickness of the block. A narrow tape of 0.36 m is suitable for thin partitions and single bricks, and a tape of 1 m for wide masonry and continuous reinforcement of problem areas. All three widths are supplied in rolls of 50 meters, the exact size is convenient to choose for the wall thickness.

Is it possible to cut the composite mesh at the facility and does it need to be cooked?

You can cut the masonry tape right on the spot — with ordinary metal scissors or grinder, without special tools. The cutting place does not require anti-corrosion treatment, because the composite does not rust. The mesh cannot be cooked: it is a polymer material, the connections are made mechanically. For masonry, this does not interfere — the tape is simply rolled into an overlapping seam between adjacent segments.

Does the masonry mesh of ETIZ comply with GOST?

Yes, the products belong to the family of composite polymer reinforcement and meshes and are manufactured in accordance with GOST 31938-2012. This confirms that the material is intended for reinforcement of building structures. The masonry mesh retains stable properties in the alkaline medium of the mortar and does not lose its bearing capacity due to corrosion throughout the entire service life of the wall.

How much does a masonry composite mesh cost and how to order?

The cost is calculated individually and depends on the width of the tape, the volume of the batch and the terms of delivery, so the price is available on request. To get the calculation, select the desired width (0.36; 0.5 or 1 m) and footage, and ETHZ managers will help you choose the format and prompt you for availability. The full range of composite meshes is available in the catalogue on etiz.ru.