Plastering over where concrete and blockwork join

CPS84

Hi Folks,

Please see the attached pictures. We're looking to plaster(sandand cement) the exterior of the house. What would be the best way to deal withthe different expansion movements between the concrete beams and the masonrythat will cause a crack in the plaster along where the joints where the two materialsmeet? We have thought about expansion/ movement beads, but all those strips ofbeads would not be aesthetically pleasing and a horizontal bead could holdwater which could ingress into the joint. As you'll see we've some mesh nailedover the beam, one engineer reckons to fully mesh the concrete beam and carryit a few inches into the masonry and plaster over and it should be ok! We'renot so sure. Any suggestions?

Kevin McCloud

I would be happy to go with your engineers advice, fix the EM well though.

CPS84

Thanks for the reply.

Do you think its better to use a strip mesh just a few inchs wide along the joints like it is at the moment or to use a wider roll of mesh like a metal lath, say 1 meter wide covering the whole of the beam along and extending a few courses of the block work?

Safehands

CPS84 wrote: »

Thanks for the reply.

Do you think its better to use a strip mesh just a few inchs wide along the joints like it is at the moment or to use a wider roll of mesh like a metal lath, say 1 meter wide covering the whole of the beam along and extending a few courses of the block work?

This does not look like a movement joint to me. I think that you are being overly cautious but if you have spoken to an engineer then I would be guided by him.

jonniebgood1

I would have a few queries based on the photos:
What is the purpose of the beam?
Does the beam go from inside leaf to outside?

If you cover the joint with mesh sheets it would be fine but I would have other concerns based on questions above.

Jonny Harris

is the mesh stainless steel?