What Can I Use Instead of Wire Mesh on My Straw Bale Building?
Welded wire mesh visible on a straw bale building before lath and plaster application.
Straw Bale Construction - A Community Member Question Answered
I feel that meshing up the walls with metal-mesh is like sitting in a metal box, especially if there is a thunderstorm approaching. What can I use instead?
- Strawbale Community Member
Most home building codes that apply to straw bale building require you to use the 14 gauge 2″x 2″ welded wire mesh because it provides protection from shear forces. (This is why it is the preferred system of most straw bale builders and the shear system described in the comprehensive How-to Straw Bale Building Video series.)
There is research using a plastic mesh in place of the wire, but it is not even close in strength.
If you really want to avoid using the mesh, you could use a 16 gauge metal strapping from Simpson Strongtie and place it at 45 degrees throughout the building. You need to wrap the strapping around the two toe-ups before you frame and keep the strap coiled up at the exterior toe-up. This provides the required nailing surface for the strap.
After your walls are up, bend the strap to run at a 45-degree angle and nail it to the top beam. This takes some pre-planning, so you avoid windows and doors and get a good angle on the strap. You may need to run a wood block at the wall half height and run two straps in narrow areas.
The straps need to run in both directions, so there is always a strap in tension, as they do not function in compression. Then, you can shape the walls using the plastic mesh (elk or deer fencing works best).
