- Massive Range
- Free UK Delivery
- Rapid Dispatch
At The Mesh Company, our mission is simple: provide the right mesh, when you need it, in sensible quantities, at practical pricing — no fuss, fast dispatch, minimal hoops.
Today we’re excited to announce an important new addition to our retail range: a heavy duty expanded metal sheet with a pattern of 100mm × 39mm and a 4mm strand thickness, produced in aluminium and launched for the first time in our trademark small-quantity, fast-turnaround formats.
If you’re a DIYer, fabrication workshop or facilities manager who needs a sheet that’s strong, open, and easy to integrate — this one is for you.
Let’s break it down so you understand exactly what you’re getting.
100mm Long Way Diamond (LWD): A large opening along the long axis of the diamond. That means excellent airflow, visibility and drainage — ideal for guards or screening.
39mm Short Way Diamond (SWD): A tight short axis that ensures the pattern is controlled and strong.
4mm Strand Width / Depth: A thick, robust aluminium strand that behaves like a small structural element — this is not your fine mesh.
Raised Profile (Approx. 18mm Depth): Because expanded metal is stretched rather than welded, the sheet has inherent depth and stiffness — giving it structural edge.
Aluminium Material: Lightweight, corrosion‐resistant (particularly when indoors or sheltered), and easy to cut or fix.
In basic terms, this pattern gives you a sheet that behaves like a panel — strong, rigid, easy to work — but still open enough to allow airflow, light and visibility.
Customers have been asking for a tougher, more open expanded metal option — something strong enough for guards and gates, but still lightweight and easy to work with. This 100mm × 39mm aluminium sheet fills that gap perfectly. It offers large apertures, a thick 4mm strand, and far more rigidity than the finer expanded metals typically available in retail quantities.
We’ve also introduced it because many people only need one or two sheets, not full architectural panels. Most suppliers only sell this pattern in large volumes, but we wanted to make it accessible for small workshops, DIY users, tradespeople and problem-solvers who need a strong mesh now, with no minimum order and fast dispatch.
An added benefit is that this pattern is the same as Mancunia, the architectural-grade version supplied by our sister company, Locker Architectural. This means if a customer starts with a small project — a guard, a screen, a gate — and later moves into a larger build, cladding system or façade project, they can scale seamlessly using the architectural version.
Here are the kinds of applications our customers will use this coarse aluminium expanded mesh for:
Machine guards and workshop screens: The thick strand gives protection around moving parts; the open diamond allows ventilation and visibility.
Heavy-duty DIY gates or screens: For trades or fabricators building gates, partitions or robust enclosures, the pattern delivers a strong finish.
Animal enclosures and agricultural use: For shelters, pens or hopper guards — big aperture for sightlines, sturdy enough for exterior use.
Ventilation panels and covers: Where you need a durable sheet that won’t block airflow — ideal for plant rooms, extractors, roof access or equipment screening.
Structural reinforcements or sub-frames: The raised profile means the panel can act as part of a load-bearing or stiffening element rather than only decorative.
Workshop repairs and one-off fixes: If a guard is damaged, an extractor screen replaced, or a stair infill renewed — this is the sheet to turn to for rapid supply.
It helps to understand how this choice stacks up against alternatives:
Aluminium vs Mild Steel: Aluminium is lighter, less prone to rust (especially in indoor or semi-exposed locations), easier to cut and handle. Mild steel is cheaper but will rust unless coated.
Aluminium vs Stainless Steel: Stainless steel is stronger and more corrosion resistant outdoors or in harsh environments — but heavier and costlier. Aluminium is ideal where weight or fast turnarounds matter.
Fine Expanded vs Coarse Expanded: Fine expanded mesh is better for filtration or small apertures; coarse 100×39 is best when you need large openings and visible patterns with structural strength.
For many TMC customers, aluminium delivers the right balance of performance and practicality — especially when sourced in a fast-dispatch format.
Several domestic-facing advantages:
Lighter sheets reduce shipping cost and make onsite handling easier.
Easier to cut with standard workshop tools — tradesmen don’t need laser cutters.
Good corrosion resistance in most UK conditions (especially indoor or semi-sheltered).
Economical relative to stainless — keeps the price accessible for smaller jobs.
Large aperture pattern gives visual appeal for gates, screens and DIY installation
For customers whose need is beyond one checkout and who are moving into specification territory, we refer to Mancunia by Locker Architectural.
The exact same 100mm x 39mm pattern is available in 2mm, 3mm and 4mm strand aluminium (or mild steel) via Locker Architectural. Locker Architectural Mesh
Locker Architectural supply full sheet sizes (1,000×2,000mm up to 1,500×3,000mm) and can finish, powder-coat or customise. Locker Architectural Mesh
A large-scale cladding project in Manchester used this pattern for façades — showing the quality pedigree.
Q: Can I use this aluminium mesh outside?
A: Yes — aluminium is corrosion-resistant enough for most outdoor uses, especially when sheltered. In extremely exposed seaside or chemical environments, a stainless option may be worth considering.
Q: Is the 4mm strand overkill?
A: Not if you’re doing machine guarding or workshop screens. The thickness gives stiffness and durability; it also looks and performs like premium material.
Q: Can I cut it with standard tools?
A: Absolutely. Aluminium is easier to handle than steel. Tin-snips, jigsaw or portable hacksaw will work fine. Smooth edges with file or deburring tool.
Q: Does this replace the need for perforated sheet or weld mesh?
A: Not exactly. If you need very fine openings, filtration or have specific aesthetic needs, perforated or woven mesh may be better. But for large apertures, strong panels and visible pattern — this expanded mesh is ideal.
“This mesh gives our customers easy access to an architectural-grade pattern in practical, fast-dispatch sheet sizes — exactly what our retail division is built for“
— Chris Platt – Director, Locker Group
This addition gives you access to a material generally seen in industrial or architectural sectors — but in a form you can buy today with no MOQ, no waiting weeks, and no complicated specification process.
If you need strong, open mesh for machine guards, DIY screens, workshop builds, ventilation covers or animal enclosures — this is the sheet.
If you think you might foray into architectural panels, remember that Mancunia via Locker Architectural is the same pattern scaled up for big projects.
Order your sheet today. Fast dispatch. UK stock. No fuss.
