How to Decorate Expanded Metal
Expanded metal is created by slitting sheets of metal in a pattern, then pulling the metal apart so it expands at the slits. This diamond-shaped grating is popular for use in outdoor furniture and other home and business applications. The material is strong and lightweight and may come in a variety of factory finishes.
If you have some expanded mesh you would like to decorate, you can use the open weave aspect of expanded metal to create a variety of looks.
Instructions
Woven Ribbon
1 Measure the width of one of the diamond openings. Select ribbon less than that width.
2 Run the ribbon through the openings of a vertical line of the expanded metal, alternating whether the ribbon runs over or under the place where the diamonds meet.
3 Weave a piece of ribbon through each vertical line of openings, working your way across the mesh. Use a solid color or combine colors to match your decor; leave some vertical lines free of ribbon if you want to preserve the open look of the metal.
Charm Decorations
4 Select a variety of metal charms from a craft or jewelry store.
5 Open a split jump ring (a hard wire ring not soldered closed) and slide the loop at the top of the charm onto the ring.
6 Hook the ring over a joint in the metal and squeeze it closed. Attach as many charms as you like. Use multiple jump rings to dangle them farther from the mesh.
Solid Decor
7 Cut 1/4-inch plywood to the size of the expanded metal.
8 Paint the wood in any pattern. For outdoor applications, coat the entire board, including the back and edges, with sealant.
9 Drill a hole the diameter of your machine screws in each corner. Place the painted wood against the mesh.
10 Slide a machine screw through each hole in the wood and through an opening in the mesh behind the wood.
11 Place a washer on the back side of the metal. Tighten the machine screw's nut onto the screw to secure the wood. This method can also be used for small decorative pieces that don't cover the metal completely.
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