Mesh for plaster: composite reinforcing mesh for facade

When finishing the facade, the plaster or adhesive layer works for tension: mortar shrinkage, vibrations, daily and seasonal temperature changes inevitably pull the coating in different directions. Without reinforcement, this ends with a grid of cracks, delamination and "maps" at the corners of the openings. To keep the layer as a whole, it is laid plaster mesh — a reinforcing web that takes on tensile forces and prevents cracks from opening.

What is a composite mesh for plaster

Composite mesh for plaster is a flexible web of fiberglass rods or tapes bonded into a honeycomb structure. Unlike rod reinforcement or sheet materials, this is a mesh: a rolled web with an open cell through which the mortar passes and in which it is fixed. Due to the open structure, the plaster covers the threads on both sides and forms a durable reinforced layer.

The material complies with GOST 31938-2012 for composite polymer reinforcement and mesh. The canvas is rolled up, so it is convenient to transport it, unfold it on the wall and cut it directly on the object — with scissors or a grinder, without welding and special tools.

Why facade composite: does not rust or stain

The main trouble of the metal mesh on the facade is corrosion. Even galvanized steel oxidizes over time at cutting points and where moisture reaches it. Rust shows through a thin plaster or decorative layer with red spots, and expands, tearing the finish from the inside. Composite mesh is devoid of this problem in principle:

• Does not rust or corrode — fiberglass is inert to moisture, cement alkali and precipitation, so there will be no rusty stains on the facade.
• Dielectric — does not conduct electric current, which is important for facades with wiring, lightning protection and near engineering networks.
• Lighter than metal — reduces the weight of the reinforced layer and the load on the insulation and subsystem of the wet facade.
• Does not form cold bridges — low thermal conductivity of the composite does not create local freezing zones in the finishing thickness.
• Durable — does not lose its properties from freeze-thaw cycles and serves the entire life of the facade.

Types of composite mesh and where to use it

ETIZ has two families of reinforcing meshes, and for the facade with plaster, they are chosen for a specific task. SSC glass composite reinforcement mesh is a web of bars Ø2-6 mm with a cell of 50×50, 100 × 100 or 200×200 mm, black or green, in rolls and maps. Masonry fiberglass (basalt) mesh is a narrow tape with a width of 0.36 / 0.5 / 1 m in rolls of 50 m, with a tensile strength of up to 50/50 kN/m.

Typical formats of maps and rolls of reinforced mesh are 0.5×2, 0.5×15, 1×2, 1×15, 2×30, 1.35×50 m and others, which allows you to choose a cut for the wall area with a minimum of waste. It is convenient to choose a format for your volume in eTHYZ Composite Mesh Catalogue.

How to fix the mesh in the plaster layer

In the wet facade system (WFCS), the mesh is not nailed on top of the insulation, but "sunk" into the adhesive layer — then it works in the body of the solution, and does not break away from it. The general procedure is as follows:

1. A base (adhesive) layer of mortar is applied to the base or plate of the insulation.
2. The canvas is cut with scissors or a grinder along the height of the section with an overlap of adjacent strips of 8–10 cm.
3. The mesh is pressed with a spatula and pressed into a fresh solution so that it is closer to the outer third of the layer.
4. The second layer is applied on top and leveled — the mesh should completely disappear in the solution.
5. The corners, slopes and zones at the openings are reinforced with additional stripes diagonally.

Since the composite cannot be cooked, all joints are made overlapping, and not by welding — this does not weaken the reinforcement, because the load in the plaster is borne by the solution that covers the mesh threads.

Difference from metal mesh and serpyanka

Composite mesh is often confused with the other two materials. Metal welded mesh or netting is durable, but susceptible to corrosion and rusty stains, heavy and creates cold bridges. Paint mesh serpentine is a thin tape for sealing joints of sheets and small cracks inside the room, it is not designed for load-bearing reinforcement of the facade layer. Composite reinforcing mesh ETIZ occupies a niche of full-fledged plaster reinforcement without metal deficiencies.

• Against metal: no corrosion and stains, lighter, dielectric, no cold bridges — with high-quality replacement without invented "safety coefficients".
• Against Serpyanka: is a load-bearing reinforcing cloth for the façade, not just a gypsum board seam tape.
• Логистика: rolled up, easy to cut in place, does not require a welding post.

Briefly about the choice

For a wet facade and plaster along the plane of the wall, it is usual to take a SSC reinforcement grid with a cell of 50×50 or 100×100 mm, for a loaded plinth — a larger bar, and for reinforcing masonry joints for subsequent plastering — masonry tape of the desired width. The exact format, color and volume are selected for the project; price — on request. The range and characteristics are collected in composite mesh section on the website of the ETIZ plant.

FAQs

What kind of composite mesh is needed for plastering the facade?

To reinforce the plaster and adhesive layer along the wall plane, glass composite reinforcing mesh SSC with a cell of 50×50 or 100×100 mm is usually used. It keeps the layer from cracks and does not rust. For a loaded plinth, a mesh of a thicker bar is taken, and for masonry joints for plaster — a masonry tape. The exact format is selected for the project.

Composite mesh does not give rusty spots on the facade?

No. Fiberglass is inert to moisture and alkali of cement, it does not rust or corrode, so red spots on the plaster and decorative layer will not appear. This is a key difference from the metal mesh, which oxidizes at the cutting points and eventually shows rust through the fine finish, destroying it from the inside.

Why is composite mesh better than metal mesh for wet facade?

It does not corrode, is lighter in weight, is a dielectric and does not form cold bridges in the thickness of the finish. The canvas is rolled up, it is convenient to carry and cut with scissors or a grinder right on the site. Replacement of the metal mesh takes place without rust and without weighting the SFTC system, while the reinforcing function is preserved completely.

How to fix the composite mesh in the plaster layer?

The mesh is sunk into the fresh adhesive layer with a spatula closer to the outer third of the solution, and not stuffed over the insulation. Adjacent strips are laid with an overlap of 8–10 cm, the corners and slopes are reinforced with additional strips. The composite cannot be cooked, so all joints are made overlapping - the load in the plaster is borne by the solution covering the mesh threads.

Is it possible to cut composite mesh on site?

Yes. The canvas is cut with ordinary scissors on metal or Bulgarian along the height and width of the site. The composite does not need welding and is not used — the joints are made overlapping. Thanks to the roll delivery and easy cutting, the installation on the facade is fast, without welding equipment and without heavy metal cards.

Does the composite mesh of ETIZ comply with GOST?

Yes, ETIZ composite reinforcing meshes comply with GOST 31938-2012 for composite polymer reinforcement and mesh. The products are available in the form of rolls and cards of different formats, black or green. Specific characteristics, available formats and cost for your volume are specified on request in the catalog of grids on the plant's website.