Although it may seem easy, attaching a plaster mesh to a wall is essential to the long-term durability of your stucco or plaster work. When done properly, it strengthens the entire structure and helps to prevent cracking.
It is crucial to understand the proper methods for attaching plaster mesh to walls, whether you are working on an external or interior wall. Although the procedure is simple, there are a few crucial steps that will determine how the process turns out.
We’ll go over the supplies you’ll need and how to attach plaster mesh to your walls correctly in this guide. You can create a smooth, long-lasting surface that is ready for plastering with the appropriate method.
Method | Description |
Nails or Staples | Hammer nails or use a staple gun to attach the mesh directly to the wall. Ensure the mesh is pulled tight to avoid wrinkles. |
Adhesive | Apply a layer of adhesive on the wall, press the mesh into it, and let it dry. Suitable for smaller areas. |
Screws with Washers | Use screws with washers to secure the mesh, ensuring it stays flat against the wall. This method provides a stronger hold. |
Wire Ties | For wire mesh, tie it to existing wall anchors or hooks. This method works best for heavier mesh types. |
Prior to attaching a plaster mesh to a wall, make sure the surface is clean and clear of any loose debris. The mesh should then be securely fastened using the appropriate fasteners, such as staples or nails, to make sure it lies flat and covers the entire area equally. This improves the plaster’s adhesion, reducing the likelihood of cracks and enhancing the finish’s overall durability.
- Basic rules for choosing a plaster mesh
- Attaching plaster mesh
- Plaster mesh made of metal
- Video on the topic
- 6 ways to attach plaster mesh!! Fixing the mesh to a brick wall in six different ways)))
- WHY REINFORCEMENT PLASTER How to attach plaster mesh to a wall
- Installation of fiberglass mesh. Plastering work
Basic rules for choosing a plaster mesh
There are guidelines to follow when attaching plaster mesh to a wall. You just need to make the right choice first. The producer ensured that a large variety of fiberglass mesh is available for purchase.
You can put your trust in an experienced craftsman if you don’t want to investigate the matter further. He will choose a mesh, the appropriate fastener, and assist in qualitatively fastening it to the wall.
You can view images of various mesh types. Nonetheless, making the right choice is crucial. We will now go into detail on how to attach a mesh underneath plaster and how to choose it properly.
You should consider the following details when selecting a grid:
- The mesh must have good resistance to alkaline solutions. To do this, it must be placed in such a solution for 25 days, and then test it to break. Reducing strength should be minimal.
- The grid should be tested for resistance to stretching efforts. To do this, you need to take a large piece of the grid and try to mix it into the ball, after which it should take the original shape.
- Attention should be paid to the quality and size of the cells.
- All the main characteristics of the product are indicated in the passport manufacturer indicating the tests produced.
Please take note: fasteners must be purchased right away in order for the mesh to fit the surface and not puff.
Attaching plaster mesh
The plaster mesh must be properly attached in order to have the greatest possible effect. If you can accomplish everything by hand, the work’s cost won’t be very high.
There will be a lot of weight on it, so it needs to be held firmly on the aircraft. It will be able to be said with confidence that the plaster layer will not fracture or fall off the main surface during the operation if this effort is made.
Even though there are many varieties of this coating, the plaster mesh is attached to the plane as firmly as possible. This can be accomplished by attaching the mesh to plastic dowels with self-tapping screws using metal, galvanized wire. In this instance, the durability of the metal mesh fastening will determine how reliable the plaster layer is.
Plaster mesh made of metal
We will go over how to secure the plaster mesh in more detail.
Additionally, it is offered in a variety of ways on the construction market:
- By type: welded, woven, chain-link mesh, perforated, reinforcing, etc.d.
- By cell shape and size, as well as location and structure.
- By size and diameter of metal wire.
- By presence of coating (galvanized, polymer).
Note: Because metal mesh comes in such a wide variety, it can be utilized for practically any kind of construction or repair work that would require the use of reinforcing mesh.
Both when it is being laid and when it is in use, metal mesh (see Steel plaster mesh – types and applications) can maintain its original shape. This enables you to obtain plaster surfaces of superior quality and longer service life. The range of applications for reinforcing meshes made of other materials is limited because they lack the same high stability.
We can conclude with confidence from the foregoing that the metal mesh is more adaptable and can be used for:
- Almost on all types of surfaces and with the use of any types of plaster mixtures and solutions, while the plastic mesh is intended for gypsum plasters, it is not recommended to use it with all other types of mixtures.
- With different layers of plaster solutions applied to the surface. It can be used to eliminate differences in unevenness from 6 cm and more. Other types of reinforcing mesh, including fiberglass, can be used with an application thickness of no more than 3 cm.
- If a plaster mesh made of galvanized metal or with a polymer coating is used, then a reliable and durable surface can be obtained. Such a mesh has excellent indicators of moisture resistance, wear resistance, strength, etc.
Order in which to fasten the metal mesh:
- First, you need to measure which section of the mesh needs to be fixed. As a rule, this will be the size from the floor to the ceiling. This size is transferred to the mesh, after which it is cut using metal scissors (if it is a thin mesh) or using a grinder, if it is a chain-link mesh, with a wire thickness of 2 mm or more.
Be aware that the upper edge of the mesh must be fastened before it can be attached to the wall. You can drill a few holes, put a dowel in them, and then screw in a screw to accomplish this. One can employ a broad head. The cut piece of mesh is then simply placed on the screws and pressed in place using the same screws. It can then be securely fastened without any issues after that.
- If the mesh needs to be secured to the ceiling, then everything is much more complicated and one person cannot handle it. The fastening can be done according to the same scheme, but first the four corners of the mesh are secured, after which it can be finally secured without outside help. But if we take it in general, then you cannot do without an assistant.
- The frequency of fastening depends on the size of the cells and the thickness of the mesh material. In all places of fastening, the mesh can come into contact with the main surface, and in the intervals between fastenings it should move away from the surface, otherwise the reliability of the plaster layer will be reduced.
- Before strengthening the mesh, from the surface all the rubbish is removed and dust is swept away. Before applying the plaster layer, the base surface should be moistened for better adhesion.
- A properly secured mesh should be stretched like a string and not vibrate in places where there are no fastening elements, otherwise, during the work, voids may form under the mesh, which will have a negative impact on the final result.
Plaster mesh attachment is a quick and easy but essential step in ensuring your stucco or plaster lasts for many years. You can ensure that your wall has a strong foundation for any additional finishing work by taking the right procedures.
Choose the appropriate mesh type for your project first. Make sure the material you select—plastic, fiberglass, or metal—is appropriate for the circumstances of your area. When applying plaster, make sure the mesh is taut and level to prevent lumps or uneven surfaces. Tightly fasten the mesh to the wall.
Plaster will last far longer on your wall if the mesh is installed because it will be more resistant to cracks and other damage. It will save you a great deal of headaches if you take the time to do this correctly now.