Wire mesh is a versatile construction material consisting of interlocking or welded metal wires forming a grid or pattern. In construction, it is used to reinforce plaster, prevent cracks, support concrete slabs, fence boundaries, and protect against pests. The two most commonly used types in Indian construction are Welded Wire Mesh (WWM) and Hexagonal Chicken Mesh.
Wire mesh in India is governed by IS 1566 — Hard-Drawn Steel Wire Fabric for Concrete Reinforcement and other related standards.
Wire mesh is a sheet or roll of metal wires arranged in a uniform pattern. The wires may be welded at intersections (welded mesh) or woven/twisted together (hexagonal mesh). It comes in various sizes, gauges, and coatings (plain MS, galvanised, PVC-coated, stainless steel).
| Mesh Opening (mm) | Wire Diameter (mm / SWG) | Sheet Size | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 x 10 | 0.7 mm (22 SWG) | 4' x 100' roll | Plaster, garden fencing |
| 12 x 12 | 0.9 mm (20 SWG) | 4' x 100' roll | Plaster |
| 15 x 15 | 1.0 mm (19 SWG) | 4' x 100' roll | Plaster, mortar joints |
| 20 x 20 | 1.6 mm (16 SWG) | Sheet 2.4 x 1.2 m | Light fencing |
| 25 x 25 | 2.0 mm | Sheet 3 x 1.2 m | Fencing, walls |
| 50 x 50 | 3.0 mm | Sheet 3 x 1.2 m | Heavy fencing, slabs |
| 75 x 75 | 4.0 – 6.0 mm | Sheet 6 x 2.4 m | Concrete slab |
| 100 x 100 | 6.0 – 8.0 mm | Sheet 6 x 2.4 m | Pavement, factory floors |
| 150 x 150 | 8.0 – 12.0 mm | Custom size | RCC slabs |
| 200 x 200 | 10.0 – 12.0 mm | Custom size | Heavy floor slabs |
| Mesh Opening (mm) | Wire Gauge | Roll Width | Roll Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 mm (1/2") | 20 / 22 SWG | 1 m / 1.2 m | 30 m / 45 m |
| 20 mm (3/4") | 20 / 22 SWG | 1 m / 1.2 m | 30 m |
| 25 mm (1") | 20 / 22 SWG | 1 m / 1.2 m | 30 m |
| 50 mm (2") | 18 / 20 SWG | 1 m / 1.5 m | 30 m |
| 75 mm (3") | 16 / 18 SWG | 1.2 m / 1.5 m | 30 m / 50 m |
| 100 mm (4") | 14 / 16 SWG | 1.5 m / 1.8 m | 50 m |
| Coating Type | Description | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| Black Mild Steel | Plain steel wire | Indoor concrete reinforcement |
| GI (Galvanised Iron) | Zinc coating (hot-dip / electroplated) | Plaster, outdoor fencing |
| PVC-Coated GI | PVC over GI wire | Decorative, garden fencing |
| Stainless Steel (SS 304/316) | SS wire | Marine, food industry, premium |
| Epoxy-Coated | Epoxy layer over steel | Highly corrosive environments |
Chicken mesh is fixed over joints between dissimilar materials (brick/concrete, RCC/masonry) to prevent shrinkage cracks in plaster.
Pre-fabricated WWM sheets replace conventional rebar grids in floor slabs, pavements, and pre-cast elements — faster placement and consistent spacing.
WWM provides crack control in industrial floors, highway slabs, and parking decks.
Welded or chain-link mesh for boundary walls, gardens, security fencing.
Manhole rings, pipes, pavers, blocks all use WWM for reinforcement.
Lath mesh provides keying for stucco and external insulation systems.
Gabion baskets filled with stone, retaining walls, slope protection.
Hexagonal chicken mesh for poultry, rabbits, livestock pens.
Expanded metal mesh for slip-resistant walking surfaces.
Welded or expanded mesh for windows, doors, partitions.
Apply 150–225 mm wide strip across each joint between masonry and RCC.
For a typical 1000 sq.ft house: approximately 30–50 sq.m of chicken mesh required.
Slabs require WWM equivalent to the design reinforcement. Typically 100x100 mm mesh with 6–8 mm wire.
| Standard | Description |
|---|---|
| IS 1566 | Hard-drawn steel wire fabric for concrete reinforcement |
| IS 280 | Mild steel wire for general engineering (binding wire base) |
| IS 2074 | Ready-mixed paint primer for steel |
| IS 4759 | Hot-dip zinc coatings on structural steel |
| IS 432 | Mild steel and medium tensile steel bars and wire (rolled-) |
| IS 456 | Code of practice for plain and reinforced concrete |
| Type | Price (Rs) |
|---|---|
| Chicken Mesh (12 mm, 22 SWG GI) — per sq.m | 35 – 55 |
| Chicken Mesh (25 mm, 20 SWG GI) — per sq.m | 55 – 80 |
| WWM (100 x 100, 6 mm) — per sq.m | 180 – 250 |
| WWM (150 x 150, 8 mm) — per sq.m | 250 – 350 |
| WWM for Slab (custom) — per kg | 75 – 95 |
| Stainless Steel Mesh — per sq.m | 600 – 1500 |
| PVC-Coated Mesh — per sq.m | 120 – 250 |
Wire mesh and chicken mesh are humble but essential construction materials. Chicken mesh in plaster joints virtually eliminates the most common cause of plaster cracking, while welded wire mesh dramatically speeds up slab reinforcement work.
Select the correct opening size and wire gauge for your application, prefer galvanised mesh for outdoor or moisture-prone areas, and follow proper overlap and fixing details during installation.