Questions?
(800) 604-5537
Building Products / Stucco & Plaster
Stucco Mesh
Self-furred galvanized stucco netting for one-coat and three-coat systems — 17-gauge and 20-gauge Preferred Wire Products lath, ICC-ES recognized, in 150' rolls. Free shipping.
Stucco mesh — also called stucco netting, stucco wire, or wire lath — is a galvanized metal reinforcement that gives stucco the structural key it needs to bond, resist cracking, and cure to a smooth, durable finish over walls, columns, and soffits. Our Preferred Wire Products stucco netting is self-furred and made with a SOFT-WEAVE process so it lies flat, folds cleanly into corners, and installs fast on residential, commercial, and industrial jobs — with ICC-ES ESR-2055 recognition to simplify submittals and inspections.
What Stucco Mesh Does
Stucco mesh — also called stucco netting, stucco wire, or wire lath — is the galvanized metal reinforcement that stucco keys into. Fastened over the substrate and water-resistive barrier, it gives the scratch coat something to grip so the finished plaster bonds tightly, resists cracking, and cures flat and durable. Whether you're running a one-coat or three-coat system on walls, columns, or soffits, the lath is what holds the assembly together over the life of the building.
Preferred Wire Products' stucco netting is engineered for smooth installs and consistent finishes. It's self-furred and made with a proprietary SOFT-WEAVE process so the mesh lies flat, stays pliable, and folds neatly into corners — reducing the waves, warps, and rework that slow a crew down.
Why Preferred Wire Products Stucco Netting
Self-Furred Contact
Built-in furring points space the mesh off the substrate so plaster keys properly — no guesswork, consistent embedment.
SOFT-WEAVE Handling
The mesh lies flat, stays pliable, and folds neatly around corners — cutting waves, warps, and jobsite rework.
Coverage Built for Crews
The 37" one-coat roll gives full 36" coverage plus a 1" overlap — fewer field trims at weeps, sills, and openings.
ICC-ES Recognized
Products carry ICC-ES ESR-2055 recognition, making submittals and inspections smoother.
Choosing Gauge & Width
Two rolls cover the vast majority of stucco work — match the gauge to your system:
- 17-gauge, 36" × 150' — the three-coat workhorse for walls, columns, and soffits. ≈50 sq yds per roll.
- 20-gauge, 37" × 150' — for one-coat projects, where the built-in 1" overlap saves time at weeps, sills, and openings. ≈51.4 sq yds per roll.
Both are self-furred galvanized stucco netting; the 37" one-coat width is sized to give full 36" coverage plus overlap so crews make fewer field cuts.
Stucco Mesh Specifications
| System | Gauge | Roll Size | Coverage | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Three-coat | 17-ga galvanized | 36" × 150' | ≈50 sq yds | Walls, columns, soffits |
| One-coat | 20-ga galvanized | 37" × 150' | ≈51.4 sq yds | One-coat systems; full 36" coverage + 1" overlap |
Process: SOFT-WEAVE for flat, pliable mesh that minimizes waves, warps, and broken wires. Compliance: ICC-ES ESR-2055 — always check local code, fastener type/spacing, and accessory integration.
Planning & Coverage
01Roll Math
36" × 150' ≈ 50 sq yds; 37" × 150' ≈ 51.4 sq yds. Add 5–10% for overlaps, starts/stops, and waste around openings.
02Layout Logic
Plan vertical runs that minimize seams across windows and doors. Pre-cut pieces for corners and returns to keep crews moving.
03Accessory Fit
Confirm alignment with weep screed, casing beads, control joints, and lath/lap requirements in your local code/JTA.
How to Install Stucco Mesh — Step by Step
01Prep
Verify WRB placement, flashings, and penetrations. Snap lines for clean course starts.
02Hang
Fasten to framing per spec (fastener type/spacing), keeping furring points oriented correctly.
03Lap & Tie
Maintain required side/end laps; tie seams and reinforce corners and openings.
04Inspect & Scratch
Check flatness, then proceed with scratch/brown or one-coat per system requirements.
Case Study: Multi-Family One-Coat Exterior
Project: a three-story multi-family build targeting a tight schedule and a uniform façade. The GC selected Preferred Brand 20-ga, 37" × 150' for one-coat stucco to save time on layout and overlaps.
Approach: crews ran vertical courses, using the extra 1" to cover from weep screed to sill in a single pass. SOFT-WEAVE handling helped the mesh sit flat over the WRB and fold into window returns without spring-back.
Results: daily production improved roughly 10–15% versus prior projects using standard 36" mesh, with fewer trims and re-hangs around openings. Straighter scratch coats meant less touch-up during brown/finish, and ICC-ES coverage streamlined approvals — punch-list items dropped at lath inspection.
Stucco Mesh FAQ
Do you need mesh for stucco?
Yes — over most substrates, stucco needs a metal lath or netting to key into. The mesh gives the scratch coat something to grip so the plaster bonds tightly and resists cracking as it cures and moves. Some systems over solid masonry can bond directly, but framed walls and sheathing always use stucco mesh or wire lath.
What's the difference between one-coat and three-coat stucco mesh?
Three-coat systems typically use 17-gauge, 36" × 150' self-furred netting as the workhorse lath for walls, columns, and soffits. One-coat systems use 20-gauge, 37" × 150' netting, where the extra width delivers full 36" coverage plus a 1" overlap — saving field trims at weeps, sills, and openings.
What gauge stucco wire should I use?
For three-coat stucco, 17-gauge galvanized netting is the standard. For one-coat systems, 20-gauge is used with the wider 37" roll. Both are self-furred so the mesh stands off the substrate for proper plaster embedment. Always confirm gauge, fastener type, and spacing against your project spec and local code.
How much stucco mesh do I need?
A 36" × 150' roll covers about 50 square yards and a 37" × 150' roll about 51.4 square yards. Calculate your wall area, then add 5–10% for overlaps, course starts and stops, and waste around windows and doors. Planning vertical runs that minimize seams across openings reduces waste further.
How do you attach stucco mesh?
Fasten the netting to the framing or substrate per your system spec, using the specified fastener type and spacing, and keep the self-furring points oriented so the mesh stands off the wall. Maintain the required side and end laps, tie the seams, and reinforce corners and openings before scratch or one-coat application.
Is stucco netting the same as chicken wire?
They look similar but aren't the same. Purpose-made stucco netting is galvanized, self-furred, and woven (SOFT-WEAVE) to lie flat and key plaster consistently, and it carries code recognition such as ICC-ES ESR-2055. Generic chicken wire lacks the furring, consistent gauge, and code listing needed for a reliable, inspection-ready stucco assembly.