Expanded Metal
A strong, lightweight, and versatile metalwork product, expanded metal sheet for walkways, machine guarding, security, construction, and architectural applications across South Africa.
Expanded Metal thats inherently strong and dimensionally stable
Expanded metal is produced by simultaneously slitting and stretching a solid sheet of metal to create a rigid, open mesh in a characteristic diamond pattern. Unlike perforated metal or weldmesh, expanded metal is formed from a single continuous sheet with no joins, welds, or wire connections, making it inherently strong and dimensionally stable.
Meshcape Industries supplies expanded metal in a range of strand sizes and mesh openings to suit a broad variety of industrial, engineering, architectural, and agricultural applications across South Africa. Stainless steel expanded metal is kept in stock for immediate supply.
Why Choose Expanded Metal?
Expanded metal is produced without cutting or removing any material, and that single fact underpins most of its advantages. The result is a product that is strong, efficient, and remarkably versatile.
No material waste
The slitting and stretching process uses the entire sheet — no material is removed, making it an efficient and cost-effective choice.
Single-piece construction
No welds or joins means no weak points — the mesh is as strong as the base material from which it is made.
High strength-to-weight ratio
The diamond mesh geometry distributes load effectively, providing excellent structural rigidity for its weight.
Slip resistance
The raised diamond surface of standard expanded metal provides natural slip resistance underfoot, making it well suited to walkways and platforms.
Good open area
The open mesh structure allows airflow, drainage, light transmission, and visibility through the panel.
Versatile
Suitable for a very wide range of applications from heavy industrial to fine architectural mesh.
Applications
Expanded metal from Meshcape Industries is used across the following applications:
Walkways & Platforms
Slip-resistant flooring and grating for industrial walkways, mezzanines, and elevated platforms.
Machine Guarding
Protective guards and safety screens around industrial machinery and equipment.
Security Fencing & Partitioning
Perimeter fencing, security screens, and internal partitioning in industrial and commercial environments.
Architectural Facades & Screens
Decorative and functional screens, cladding, and sunshading for architectural applications.
Agriculture
Animal enclosures, crop protection, and general farm fencing applications.
Filters & Grilles
Ventilation grilles, HVAC applications, and light-duty filtration.
Materials
Expanded metal is available in the following materials:
Stainless Steel
For food processing, chemical, and corrosive applications requiring hygiene or corrosion resistance.
Flat & Standard Expanded Metal
Expanded metal is available in two forms. Standard expanded metal retains the raised diamond profile of the expansion process, providing the slip-resistant surface suited to walkways and platforms. Flattened expanded metal has been cold-rolled after expansion to produce a flat, smooth surface, better suited to architectural, filtration, and decorative applications where a flat profile is preferred.
Not Sure What You Need?
With over 100 years of combined experience, our team brings proven expertise across a wide range of applications. Tell us what you are trying to achieve and we will recommend the right product for the job.