Unleashing the Power of Support Substrates in Construction and Art

What is the significance of welded or woven wire fabric with paper backing in construction and art?

How does this material serve as a base for plaster or stucco applications?

Answer:

The question pertains to a construction material known as welded or woven wire fabric with paper backing, which is used as a base for plaster or stucco.

Explanation: The subject in question refers to a base material for plaster or stucco applications in construction, which typically takes the form of welded or woven wire fabric with a paper backing. This type of material is used to provide a sturdy substrate onto which plaster or stucco can be applied, ensuring better adhesion and reducing the chances of cracking or other defects.

Wire mesh, as it's commonly known, serves a similar purpose in construction to historical techniques such as wattle-and-daub, where a lattice work of wooden strips would be covered with a mixture of materials like soil, clay, and straw to form walls.

Another example of using a substrate in a decorative application is cloisonné, where melted glass or enamel fills the spaces (cloisons) between metal wires that have been fused to a metal base. This is done to create ornate designs and patterns, often seen in fine art or jewelry pieces.

The concept of partitions being used to hold or support another material also extends to larger structures, like piers, which refers to heavy stone or concrete supports with a wider base used in architecture.