Sheet metals which are cut and stretched to form a regular pattern (often diamond shape) of mesh-like material. Expanded mesh is stronger thanany other equivalent weight of wire mesh because the material is flattened allowing it to stay in one piece. It is commonly used for fences, gates and as a metallic lath to support plaster or stucco. Some commonly used shapes are circles, squares and diamonds. In contemporary architecture, expanded metal has been used as an exposed façade or screen material which can be formed into simple or complex decorative shapes.