Expander Metal offers a wide selection of expanded metal mesh and expanded metal grating in all mesh types available on the market. Our products are available in various formats and come from both our own production and from carefully selected partners who share our high standards for quality and flexibility. We also supply flat-rolled expanded metal in most mesh types.
What is expanded metal?
Expanded metal is a versatile and durable material manufactured by punching and stretching sheet metal in special machines, without welded joints or wires. This process creates a strong and lightweight construction without waste, making expanded metal both an economical and environmentally friendly alternative.
Thanks to its unique design, expanded metal combines low weight with good load-bearing capacity and durability. It is used in a wide range of industries, from construction to design and architecture. Expanded metal can also be customized with different mesh sizes, thicknesses, and materials, making it ideal for facades, stair treads, railings, gratings, and filters, for example.
Expanded metal is characterized by four parameters
These four are mesh length, mesh width, pitch width, and material thickness. Each item number has these parameters in its designation, making it easier for you to choose the right size of expanded metal mesh. For example, item number XM4210/2010 means that the mesh length is 42 mm and the mesh width is 10 mm, measured from center to center (c/c), not the mesh opening. The last digits, “2010”, indicate that the strand width is 2.0 mm and that the expanded metal is made from a sheet with a thickness of 1.0 mm.
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The industry also uses the terms LWM (Long Way Mesh) and SWM (Short Way Mesh). LWM describes the length of the expanded metal mesh, while SWM indicates the width of the expanded metal mesh. When specifying the dimensions of expanded metal, LWM is always mentioned first, followed by SWM, to clearly indicate the direction of the mesh on the detail. If an item number ends with a “p”, as in XM4210/2010Sp, this means that the expanded metal is flat rolled. Here, ‘S’ stands for steel and “p” for flat rolled.
Bearing and design possibilities with expanded metal
Expanded metal offers a wide range of possibilities that combine strength, light weight, and flexibility. By adjusting parameters such as pitch width, material thickness, and flat rolling, expanded metal can be customized to meet specific requirements for both function and appearance. Below, we go through some of the most important factors to consider when choosing expanded metal.
- Low weight and high bearing capacity – enables the use of thinner sheet metal without compromising strength.
- Adjustment of pitch – can be varied continuously to suit both aesthetic and functional requirements:
- – For a grid pattern: select a strand close to the material thickness.
- – For a more pronounced “grid effect”: select a larger strand.
- Flat-rolled expanded metal – loses some of its bearing and has the same bearing as the original sheet metal.
- Flexibility in production – with over 50 different tool sets and special tools, we can create a variety of variations depending on the mesh type, material thickness, and material selection.
- Flat rolling – allows for additional variations for most mesh types.
Expanded metal and its processing – tailored to your needs
Our expanded metal is always tailored to meet your specific requirements. Choose between expanded metal mesh or expanded metal grating in a natural ribbed or flat-rolled finish. We offer products in stock format or cut to size according to your measurements. With specialized production equipment such as straightening machines and guillotine shears, we are experts in the processing of expanded metal.
For an even more attractive and functional end product, we can surface treat the expanded metal. This provides increased corrosion protection, reduced friction, or electrical insulating properties. Thanks to carefully selected partners, we offer powder coating, anodizing, thermoplastic coating, hot-dip galvanizing, and flocking.
We can also offer customizations such as forming, bending, and frame laying through our partners. If you need help with design or other details, we can recommend experienced partners for expanded metal projects. Although we do not offer design support or assembly, we are here to provide you with guidance and recommendations for the right partner.
Partners
One of our most reliable partners is OÜ Lavinton in Estonia. With their 2500 mm wide expanded metal machine, they complement our production by offering extra-large spans and meshes over 98 mm LWM, perfect for those who need larger formats of expanded metal mesh or grating.
Four mesh types to choose from
Expanded metal is a durable and flexible solution used in a variety of areas, from industrial components to architectural details such as balconies and walkways. Depending on the application and design requirements, there are different mesh types to choose from, each with specific properties for bearing, transparency, and appearance. Our range includes many mesh types to choose from, about half of which are listed below. These include normal mesh, long narrow mesh, square mesh, and parallel mesh.
Many of our products are in stock for fast delivery, while others can be custom-made to suit your specific needs. Whatever project you are working on, please contact us so that we can help you find the right mesh type.
Normal mesh
If you are looking for a so-called normal mesh, it is characterized by a diamond-shaped structure.
Here are some of the most important properties of this type of mesh.
- Balance between strength and open area – Normal meshes have an even distribution of material and openings, which provides a combination of load-bearing capacity and air permeability.
- Even bearing capacity – Thanks to the continuous structure, the load is distributed efficiently, enabling the material to withstand high loads in relation to its weight.
- Versatile use – Normal meshes are used in everything from walkways and safety grilles to facades and interior design details.
The properties of the standard mesh can be customized by adjusting parameters such as mesh size, material thickness, and strand width to suit different functional and aesthetic requirements.
| 4,75 x 2,5mm | 25,4 x 11mm | 62 x 28mm |
| 6 x 3mm | 25,4 x 12,7mm | 75 x 32mm |
| 6 x 3,5mm | 28 x 14mm | 85 x 38mm |
| 10 x 5mm | 35 x 16mm | 98 x 48mm |
| 12 x 6mm | 42 x 18mm | 137 x 70mm |
| 16 x 8mm | 51 x 22mm | 200 x 75mm |
| 20 x 11mm | 69 x 27mm | 300 x 100mm |
Long narrow mesh
Long narrow mesh is characterized by a more elongated and narrow structure compared to the diamond-shaped structure of normal mesh. Here are some of the most important properties of this type of mesh.
- Greater flexibility in one direction – The expanded metal becomes more pliable along the short side of the mesh, which can be an advantage when forming and adapting.
- Increased open area – The elongated mesh shape provides a more open material, which improves ventilation, light transmission, and fluid flow.
- Modern and elegant aesthetics – The long, narrow pattern gives a stylish look and is often used in architectural contexts.
Long, narrow meshes are an excellent choice when you want to combine low weight, high open area, and a modern look without compromising on the strength and durability of the material.et.
| 12 x 4mm | 20 x 9mm | 100 x 34mm |
| 16 x 6mm | 25,4 x 11mm | 115 x 44mm |
| 19 X 7mm | 75 x 23mm | 337 x 100mm |
Square mesh
If you are looking for a balanced structure that is suitable for both functional and aesthetic purposes, square mesh has a uniform and symmetrical shape. This is good for many different applications, and here are some of the most important characteristics of this type of mesh.
- Symmetrical and stable – The square shape provides even load distribution and a strong construction.
- High torsional rigidity – Thanks to its regular shape, the material retains its stability in all directions.
- Uniform open area – The symmetrical mesh structure provides a consistent open area, which is beneficial for filtration, ventilation, and light transmission.
- Distinctive and modern aesthetics – The square design provides a stylish and technical look, which is often sought after in architecture and interior design.
Square meshes combine strength, symmetry, and a technical look, making them a popular choice in both industry and ah arkitektur.
| 2 x 1,2mm | 8 x 6mm | 40 x 28mm |
| 3,2 x 2mm | 12 x 10mm | 40 x 33mm |
| 4 x 2,8mm | 14 x 10mm | 60 x 35mm |
| 6 x 4mm |
Parallel mesh
A parallel mesh is characterized by a regular, linear structure, with the meshes running parallel to each other in one direction. This creates a uniform and stylish pattern. Here are some of the specific functional properties of this type of mesh.
- Clear direction – The meshes run parallel, creating a structured and orderly design.
- Good bearing capacity in one direction – Provides high strength in the direction in which the meshes are oriented, while the material becomes more flexible in the other direction.
- Adjustable light and air flow – The parallel design can be adjusted to provide more or less transparency depending on the mesh size.
- Aesthetic and modern design – The linear shape is often used in architectural and decorative contexts.
Parallel meshes are an excellent choice for both technical and aesthetic purposes where a structured and directional design is desired.skas.
| 25,4mm |
| 62mm |
| 125mm |
Common mesh types for expanded metal
Below, we show what three of our mesh types can look like in different sizes and patterns. For reference, we have used a punch praline Ø23mm to give you a perspective on the size of the meshes.
