Chicken wire not only commonly keeps chickens fenced in, but it also served some unexpected purposes in history, such as forming part of radar systems during wartime.In modern times, chicken wire are more often used for building reinforcement, playing the structural role of wire mesh.
The history of chicken wire
In the previous article, we introduced the basic composition of it, which is mainly woven from metal wire. In this article, let’s talk about its “past and present”.
During World War II, military forces used chicken coop netting to create large metal grounding pads for radar systems; German soldiers even buckled these nets onto their helmets and inserted branches or cloth strips for camouflage.
Later, in Australia in the 20th century, people often nailed chicken wire to the surface of buildings to fix mortar or cement. With good toughness and ductility, it has become an ideal material for building plaster reinforcement.
from Wikipedia, Chicken wire, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Uses of chicken wire in construction
1.Plastering reinforcement:
Laying the chicken cage net on the wall or ceiling, and then applying cement plastering can prevent hollowing and cracking in the later stage
2.Wall repair:
For repairing cracks in old houses, construction crews use chicken wire as a structural reinforcement layer to strengthen bonding force.
3.Cement modeling:
Builders utilize chicken wire to construct support skeletons for modeling in various projects including rockeries, sculptures, cultural walls, and cement decorations.
4.Insulation system fixed layer:
Wrap a layer of chicken cage net on the outside of the insulation board to improve the overall stability and surface adhesion.
5.The installation and use of the chicken wire are very flexible:
Before installation, workers can cut the material to the required size and secure it to the substrate using U-shaped nails, expansion nails or nail guns. They should overlap the mesh edges by 5-10 cm and fasten them tightly to ensure stability. For enhanced safety, installers may also apply glue along the edges to improve both functionality and visual appeal.
Selection of materials and specifications
We recommend 1/2 inch mesh for chicken cage nets used in construction and engineering. It has a smaller mesh, is denser, and has better support. Choose a wire diameter of 0.9mm or above to avoid deformation of the wire mesh due to low strength. Choose galvanized material for indoor use. Galvanized material is economical and practical, with good durability. Choose PVC coated material for outdoor use, which is more corrosion-resistant and has a long service life.
FAQ about the use of chicken wire
Q:Can chicken wire replace steel bars?
A:Although it have certain reinforcement and support functions, their material is relatively fine and their strength is insufficient. They are only suitable for auxiliary structures such as plastering layers, wall surface crack prevention, and insulation layer fixation. They cannot replace steel mesh for load-bearing.
Q:Is it suitable for exterior wall insulation systems?
A:Yes, chicken wire often used to fix insulation boards and enhance mortar adhesion, especially in EPS/XPS insulation systems. They are one of the economical and practical auxiliary materials in insulation construction because of their strong flexibility, good fit, and low cost.
Q:Will they rust after long-term cement wrapping?
A:Generally, they are not easy to rust. As long as they are completely wrapped and not exposed to air and moisture, they can usually remain without obvious rust for many years. It is recommended to use hot-dip galvanized or PVC-coated materials and ensure that the construction is dense.
Conclusion
The role of chicken wire in construction is far beyond people’s traditional impression. It is not only light and flexible, easy to construct, but also can play a strong role in many links such as plastering, shaping, and insulation. If you are looking for an economical and practical wire mesh material, you might consider chicken cage net. FUDAS can customize products of different sizes, materials and packaging for you. Please feel free to contact us for proposals.
