Expanded metal
Expanded metal is a type of sheet metal which has been cut and stretched to form a regular pattern (often diamond-shaped) of mesh-like material. It is commonly used for fences and grates, and as metallic lath to support plaster or stucco.
Expanded metal is frequently used to make fences, walkways, and grates, as the material is very durable and strong, unlike lighter and less expensive[dubious – discuss] wire mesh. The many small openings in the material allow flow through of air, water, and light, while still providing a mechanical barrier to larger objects. Another advantage to using expanded metal as opposed to plain sheet metal is that the exposed edges of the expanded metal provide more traction, which has led to its use in catwalks or drainage covers.
Large quantities of expanded metal are used by the construction industry as metal lath to support materials such as plaster, stucco, or adobe in walls and other structures.
Expanded metal is also used by artists, especially sculptors, who use the material to form complex 3-dimensional surfaces and compound curves which can then be covered with plaster, clay, or other materials. For example, Niki de Saint Phalle made extensive use of expanded metal to support the curved surfaces of large-scale architectural sculptures in her Tarot Garden sculpture garden, in Tuscany, Italy.
A similar material made of stiff sheets of paper or cardboard is used as a low-cost cushioning and packaging material.
In contemporary architecture, expanded metal has been used as an exposed facade or screen material which can be formed into simple or complex decorative shapes. Photographic images may be printed on the surface, producing textures or large graphic images, which still allow light to filter through the exterior surface of a buil
Keywords
air
buil
mesh
type
less
clay
flow
paper
water
walls
adobe
Italy
stucco
fences
grates
simple
Tuscany
lighter
artists
plaster
example
textures
catwalks
walkways
traction
advantage
sculptors
cardboard
metal lath
stiff sheets
exposed edges
extensive use
metallic lath
exposed facade
Expanded metal
larger objects
other materials
drainage covers
regular pattern
curved surfaces
screen material
compound curves
similar material
exterior surface
Large quantities
other structures
plain sheet metal
mechanical barrier
packaging material
Photographic images
many small openings
low-cost cushioning
large graphic images
Niki de Saint Phalle
construction industry
contemporary architecture
complex decorative shapes
Tarot Garden sculpture garden
complex 3-dimensional surfaces
large-scale architectural sculptures
