aluminum expanded metal
Expanded Metal
Expanded Metal Lath for Plaster
Lightweight expanded metal lath that keys plaster, stucco and render to walls and ceilings. Self-furring or flat, galvanized for rust resistance. Fine diamonds grip mortar for crack-free, durable finishes.
Description
Product Introduction
Lightweight expanded metal lath that keys plaster, stucco and render to walls and ceilings. Self-furring or flat, galvanized for rust resistance. Fine diamonds grip mortar for crack-free, durable finishes.
Product Introduction
Expanded metal lath is a thin, lightweight mesh expanded from steel sheet specifically to reinforce and key cementitious finishes such as plaster, stucco and render. Its small, closely spaced diamonds create thousands of tiny pockets and angled strands that mechanically grip wet mortar, so the finish locks onto the lath and onto the wall or ceiling substrate. As the plaster cures, the embedded mesh distributes shrinkage and structural stresses across the surface, preventing the cracks and detachment that plague unreinforced renders. Zhongman manufactures expanded metal lath in galvanized and cold-rolled carbon steel, with stainless available for severe exposure. Supplied in flat and self-furring forms, our lath is light enough to handle and cut easily on site yet rigid enough to span between fixings, providing a reliable base for high-quality plastering work.
Key Features & Advantages
Expanded metal lath excels at bonding plaster to a structure. The fine diamond openings and raised strands form an aggressive mechanical key that grips mortar far better than smooth backings, while the continuous one-piece mesh reinforces the finish against shrinkage and impact cracking. Self-furring dimples hold the lath off the substrate so plaster fully encases the mesh from both sides, achieving complete embedment and maximum bond. The lath is light, easy to cut with snips and quick to fasten, speeding installation. Galvanizing protects the steel from the alkalinity and moisture of mortar, extending service life, and stainless options handle coastal or chemical environments. Because it is rigid yet flexible, the lath conforms to curves, arches, columns and complex shapes that rigid backers cannot follow.
Specifications & Options
Zhongman supplies expanded metal lath with fine diamond short-way dimensions from about 3/16" to 3/8" and light strand gauges in the No.20 to No.27 range, producing the dense key needed for plaster adhesion. Typical lath weights run from roughly 1.7 to 3.4 lb per square yard, letting specifiers match the lath to interior plaster or heavier exterior stucco. We offer flat lath for direct application and self-furring lath with formed dimples for spaced installation over solid substrates. Standard material is hot-dip or electro-galvanized carbon steel; stainless steel is available for aggressive exposure. Sheets are supplied in common building widths and lengths for easy handling, with optional paper-backed versions on request. We can advise on lath weight and type to suit your plaster system and code requirements.
Applications & Industries
Expanded metal lath is a fundamental product of the plastering and rendering trade. It is used as a base for interior gypsum and cement plaster on walls, ceilings, soffits and arches, and as reinforcement for exterior stucco and cement render on commercial and residential buildings. Contractors apply it over sheathing, masonry, framing and existing surfaces to provide a reliable key, and use it to bridge dissimilar substrates where cracking is likely. It reinforces decorative moldings, cornices, columns and curved features, and forms the armature for cast and sprayed concrete repairs. Beyond plastering, the same fine mesh serves as stucco netting, fireproofing reinforcement around steelwork, and a substrate for tile and mortar beds across the construction, renovation and restoration industries.
Why Choose Zhongman
Zhongman produces expanded metal lath to consistent weight and diamond geometry, the two factors that most affect plaster bond and crack control. Our in-house expanding and galvanizing lines deliver lath that is uniformly keyed, properly coated and dimensionally stable, so plasterers get predictable coverage and adhesion on every sheet. We offer flat and self-furring types, a range of lath weights, and stainless or paper-backed options to suit interior, exterior and severe-exposure work. Direct steel sourcing keeps lath cost-effective for high-volume building projects, and our packing protects the light sheets from damage in transit. With responsive export service and technical guidance on selecting the right lath for each plaster system, Zhongman is a dependable supplier for builders, plastering contractors and distributors worldwide.
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