Reinforcement mesh – most common uses
Reinforcing mesh is a simple yet exceptionally practical construction, made up of wires arranged at right angles to each other and joined by welding. Sometimes it is also made from durable plastics. Its use is of great importance for the durability of concrete screeds and building structures. What are the types of reinforcing mesh and where are they used?
Welded reinforcing mesh with different parameters
In construction practice, steel reinforcement meshes are the most commonly encountered and used. Although they have plastic counterparts, the latter are mainly used for strengthening internal floor screeds and wall renders. The relatively lightweight construction of such reinforcements is not suitable for construction conditions where the structure of a load-bearing pillar or foundation requires strengthening.
Steel wire reinforcing mesh is not only considerably stronger. It is also produced in many variants, allowing it to be adapted to the reinforcement needs of a specific structure or substrate. The differences concern both the mesh opening sizes and the wire thickness from which the mesh is made. The most standard and most commonly used models have 15 x 15 cm openings and a rod diameter of 4-6 mm.
What functions does reinforcing mesh perform?
It is common knowledge that the reinforcement of concrete is intended to strengthen its structure. However, reinforcement mesh performs more functions, thanks to which it not only influences the stability of the material but also significantly reduces the effects of its use. For example, reinforcement meshes for concrete:
- shorten construction times by streamlining work and accelerating concrete drying,
- they limit the amount of material used,
- they limit the phenomenon of concrete shrinkage,
- increase the concrete's resistance to loads,
- they eliminate the formation of cracks and scratches by dissipating stress,
- improve the thermal insulation of the material.
Furthermore, the reinforcement mesh used in floor screeds prevents deformation and the formation of shrinkage cracks, increases the substrate's cohesion by eliminating the risk of concrete crumbling, and also increases its strength against loads and abrasion.
Applications of reinforcing meshes
Despite the general purpose of mesh for reinforcing concrete structures, it is worth highlighting where they are particularly commonly used. Popular applications include reinforcement mesh for ceilings and mesh used on lintels. This is known as a ladder mesh. For reinforcing slabs, flat reinforcement meshes of various parameters are used, while for reinforcing screeds, meshes with small meshes are used. The high density of wires makes them more durable and more effectively increases the substrate's resistance to loads. Therefore, their use is recommended in rooms such as garages, workshops, or utility rooms.
The choice of the best reinforcement mesh for screeds depends on the intended use of the room and the planned floor loads. During the construction of a house, both foundation mesh and its variants for reinforcing walls, facades, ceilings, floors, as well as for plastering, will certainly be indispensable. Galvanised meshes also have high corrosion resistance.
