What is Stucanet?

Stucanet is a plaster base made by Bekaert: a panel of welded galvanised or stainless steel wire mesh with perforated, moisture-absorbing card between the wires. The perforations let the plaster flow round the wires and key onto them mechanically. Knauf also sells it under the same name. According to Bekaert it takes gypsum, lime, lime-cement and cement mortars, applied by hand or machine, inside and out. The panels are light (typically 1 to 1.5 kg/m²) and can be cut and bent.

Types

• Stucanet S: bends in every direction, for domes, vaults, arches and sloping surfaces, though it also works flat.
• Stucanet 80: stiffer, with a flat fixing wire, for flat ceilings and walls; it allows wider spacing of battens or sections.
• Stucanet SN: wire build as S but without the perforated paper, for solid flat backgrounds such as old plaster or masonry.
• Stucanet S-H: as S, with waterproof bitumen paper, for external walls.
• Stucanet 33: narrower and longer, for boxing in service ducts.

Standard panels are 70 x 240 cm, and all types can be ordered in stainless steel.

Application

1. Choose the type for the shape. Curved surface: S. Flat ceiling on battens: 80. External wall: S-H.
2. Fix to a frame or a flat background. Timber battens, steel C or I sections, or straight onto masonry and concrete, using standard plugs, screws, hooks and clips. Follow the manufacturer’s installation guide for spacings and laps.
3. Work to the right thickness. Bekaert gives a typical total plaster thickness of 20 mm; the plaster manufacturer sets the details.
4. Use it in restoration. Stucanet is a good replacement for reed or timber lath as a plaster base under historic ceilings and vaults.
5. Protect your hands. Cut wire ends are sharp.

Common mistake: using Stucanet S on a large flat ceiling with wide batten spacing. The flexible panel is less suited to this; Bekaert recommends the stiffer type 80 for flat ceilings and walls, as it allows wider batten spacing.

Related terms

• Plaster base
• Wire brick lath
• Ribbed expanded metal
• Expanded metal
• Metal stud framing

Want to know more about building terms? Visit our knowledge base at fredsdiyplans.com.