Shipping and Installation
Expanded metal mesh will typically be shipped from the manufacturer ready to be fabricated or installed. If any overage or spare material is needed, it should be specified accordingly. The mesh will be shipped in either the coil or panel size specified to be used for final installation.

The mesh can be installed into frames or directly to the building using attachment methods designed and specified. Most manufacturers have a line of mesh fastening clips that are engineered to make the installation of expanded meshes secure and simple, without interfering with the aesthetics of the mesh.

Most basic of fastening clip designs allow for varying separations from the supporting structure by being fabricated in different sizes and shapes. When a basic clip design doesn’t match the needs of a project, then a manufacturing engineer or technical support team may be able to assist in the design and development of custom fastening solutions. The basic intent of the fastening should be called out on the drawings and specifications but shop drawings and installation drawings should be required as a submittal to assure conformance with the overall design requirements.

The final point to address in the specifications is the cleaning of the installed products to be sure that they are ready to function and look as good as possible. The specifications should call for normal cleaning and maintenance based on the nature of the metal and the location within or outside of the building.

Conclusion

Expanded metal mesh is enjoying a surge in use due to the accumulated expertise and understanding from over 100 years of expanded metal production techniques, capabilities and applications. Manufacturers are constantly pushing boundaries and developing new patterns, products and applications to increase availability and raise the design applications of expanded metal in architectural projects. Their strengths include a skilled and knowledgeable workforce coupled with sophisticated machinery, providing reliable engineering and technical support. Key benefits of working with expanded metal mesh include the versatility and availability of a wide range of materials and patterns in standard specifications, combined with a plethora of custom and innovative product possibilities. The diverse range of products that have already been used for decades in industrial and other building settings help to ensure that they will be appropriate and reliable for current and future projects as well.

Resources

For additional information, refer to the EMMA Division of NAAMM including a listing of the numerous ways that expanded metal mesh can be used in the built environment. http://www.naamm.org/emma/emma_product_uses.aspx

Alabama Metal Industries Corporation (AMICO) is an international manufacturer of expanded metal products, industrial grating/flooring, perforated metals, and building products. An extensive line of plastering, stucco and drywall building products, concrete forming products, security barrier products, and fi berglass structural products amplify AMICO’s entire product repertoire. www.amicoarch.com