A142 Mesh Guide: Sizes, Specs & Applications UK
A142 Mesh: Applications, Sizes and Specification Guide
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A142 reinforcement mesh specifications: 6 mm wire, 200 × 200 mm pitch, 142 mm²/m. Weights, prices, sheet sizes. Where to use, where not to. Installation guide.
| Sheet Size | Coverage | Sheet Mass | NDS Price (exc. VAT) | Cost per m² |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.8 × 2.4 m (standard) | 11.52 m² | 25.57 kg | £24.95 | £2.17/m² |
| 3.6 × 2 m (merchant) | 7.20 m² | 15.98 kg | £18.90 | £2.63/m² |
| 2.4 × 1.2 m (safety) | 2.88 m² | 6.39 kg | £16.89 | £5.87/m² |
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Wire diameter (both directions) | 6 mm |
| Mesh pitch | 200 × 200 mm |
| Cross-sectional area | 142 mm²/m (both directions) |
| Mass per square metre | 2.22 kg/m² |
| Steel grade | B500A (500 MPa yield) |
| Standard | BS 4483:2025 |
| Series | A-series (equal wire both directions) |
| Weld type | Resistance welded at every intersection |
| Certification | CARES approved |
| Application | Suitable? | Slab Thickness | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garden path | Yes | 75–100 mm | Pedestrian traffic only — A142 provides adequate crack control |
| Patio | Yes | 75–100 mm | Static furniture and foot traffic — light duty |
| Shed base | Yes | 75–100 mm | Light static load — no vehicle access |
| Greenhouse base | Yes | 75–100 mm | Minimal loading, crack control only |
| Pool surround | Yes | 100 mm | Non-structural, pedestrian use |
| Garage floor | No — use A193 | 100–150 mm | Vehicle loads require A193 minimum (NHBC) |
| Driveway | No — use A193/A252 | 100–150 mm | Car traffic exceeds A142 capacity |
| House extension | No — use A193+ | 150–250 mm | Structural loads need higher steel area |
| Suspended slab | No — use A393/B-series | 150–200 mm | Structural design requires A393 minimum |
| Mesh Type | Wire Ø | Steel Area | Mass/m² | % More Steel than A142 | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A142 | 6 mm | 142 mm²/m | 2.22 kg/m² | Baseline | Paths, patios, shed bases |
| A193 | 7 mm | 193 mm²/m | 3.02 kg/m² | +36% | Garages, light driveways |
| A252 | 8 mm | 252 mm²/m | 3.95 kg/m² | +77% | Heavy driveways, extensions |
| A393 | 10 mm | 393 mm²/m | 6.16 kg/m² | +177% | Foundations, commercial floors |
What Is A142 Mesh and What Are Its Specifications?
A142 is the lightest mesh in the A-series range defined by BS 4483:2025. It uses 6 mm diameter ribbed wire in both longitudinal and transverse directions at 200 × 200 mm centres. This configuration provides 142 mm² of cross-sectional steel area per metre in each direction — that is where the name comes from.
The mesh weighs 2.22 kg/m². A standard 4.8 × 2.4 m sheet weighs 25.57 kg — manageable by one person with care, though two is safer. The 3.6 × 2 m merchant size weighs 15.98 kg and the 2.4 × 1.2 m safety size weighs 6.39 kg. The wire grade is B500A at 500 MPa characteristic yield strength.
A142 is manufactured as a resistance-welded grid — every wire intersection is fused. All A142 from NextDaySteel is CARES approved with full traceability from the producing mill. The standard sheet (4.8 × 2.4 m) costs £24.95 at current NDS prices (February 2026), which works out to £2.17 per square metre.
Where Should You Use A142 Reinforcement Mesh?
A142 is a light-duty mesh for non-structural or lightly loaded concrete slabs. It provides crack control rather than structural capacity. The typical applications are garden paths, patios, shed bases, greenhouse foundations, and pool surrounds — anywhere the slab sees pedestrian traffic and static furniture loads only.
For paths and patios, cast A142 in a 75–100 mm slab on a compacted sub-base. Position the mesh in the lower third of the slab using plastic bar chairs at 40 mm cover. The mesh controls shrinkage cracking as the concrete cures and temperature cycling occurs over the seasons.
For shed bases, a 100 mm slab with A142 supports the dead weight of a typical timber shed (500–1,500 kg spread across the base area). This produces a bearing pressure of 5–15 kPa — well within the capacity of an A142-reinforced slab on firm ground. Always check the sub-grade bearing capacity first. For shed bases over 20 m², consider stepping up to A193 for additional crack control. See our mesh types comparison for side-by-side specs.
When Is A142 Mesh Not Enough?
A142 is wrong for any slab carrying vehicle loads. NHBC guidance specifies A193 as the minimum mesh for domestic garage floors. The 36% increase in steel area (193 vs 142 mm²/m) makes a measurable difference to crack control under repeated wheel loads. Using A142 for a garage to save money is a false economy — the price difference between A142 and A193 in 3.6 × 2 m sheets is £5.44 per sheet (£18.90 vs £24.34). A cracked slab costs thousands to replace.
Driveways need A193 or A252 depending on vehicle weight. Standard car driveways use A193 in a 100–150 mm slab. Driveways expecting delivery lorries, skip wagons, or caravans should use A252 or A393 in a 150 mm+ slab — always on a structural engineer's specification.
House extension foundations, suspended slabs, retaining walls, and any structurally designed element will specify A193, A252, A393, or B-series mesh. The structural engineer's calculation determines the required steel area — A142 will never appear on a structural drawing for these applications.
How Do You Install A142 Mesh in a Concrete Slab?
- Prepare the sub-base: Compact the MOT Type 1 or similar granular fill to a firm, level surface. Lay a damp-proof membrane (DPM) of at least 300 micron over the sub-base if moisture protection is needed.
- Set spacers: Place plastic bar chairs (sometimes called "mushrooms" or "mesh spacers") at 600–800 mm centres across the sub-base. These lift the mesh to the correct cover depth — 40 mm minimum for ground-contact slabs per BS 8500. For aggressive ground conditions (sulphate-bearing soils, contaminated land), increase cover to 50 mm.
- Lay the mesh: Position A142 sheets on the spacers. Overlap adjacent sheets by at least 200 mm (one full mesh square). Tie overlaps with soft wire at every second or third intersection — 400 mm centres along the lap. Trim sheets at edges using bolt croppers.
- Pour concrete: Place C25/30 or C30/37 concrete over the mesh, vibrating to eliminate voids. Check that mesh has not shifted or sunk during the pour. The spacers must hold the mesh at the correct depth throughout.
How Much Does A142 Mesh Cost and How Do You Order?
NextDaySteel stocks A142 in all three sheet sizes. Current prices (February 2026, excluding VAT): standard 4.8 × 2.4 m at £24.95, merchant 3.6 × 2 m at £18.90, and safety 2.4 × 1.2 m at £16.89. The cost per square metre drops with larger sheets — £2.17/m² for the standard size versus £5.87/m² for the safety size.
For a 24 m² garage path, the formula is: 24 ÷ 10 × 1.1 = 2.64 → order 3 standard sheets. Total mesh cost: 3 × £24.95 = £74.85. For a 40 m² patio: 40 ÷ 10 × 1.1 = 4.4 → order 5 standard sheets = £124.75. The formula uses 10 m² effective coverage per sheet (after 200 mm overlaps on 11.52 m² nominal area) plus 10% for cutting waste.
Order online at nextdaysteel.co.uk or call 020 8079 7719. Next-day delivery costs £90 (order by 1pm). Economy delivery is £30 (2–4 working days). No minimum order — even a single sheet ships. HIAB offload is available on request for sites where manual unloading is not possible.
A142 Sheet Quantity Calculator
Sheets needed = Slab area (m²) ÷ 10 × 1.1 (round up)A142 Steel Weight for a Given Area
Total mesh weight (kg) = Area (m²) × 2.22 kg/m² × 1.1 (overlap factor)Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use A142 mesh for a garage floor?
No. NHBC guidance specifies A193 as the minimum mesh for domestic garage floors carrying vehicle loads. A142 has only 142 mm²/m of steel area — A193 provides 193 mm²/m, which is 36% more. The cost difference between a 3.6 × 2 m sheet of A142 (£18.90) and A193 (£24.34) is £5.44. A cracked slab replacement costs thousands. Do not use A142 for any slab carrying cars, vans, or heavy equipment.
How heavy is a sheet of A142 mesh?
A standard 4.8 × 2.4 m sheet weighs 25.57 kg. The 3.6 × 2 m merchant sheet weighs 15.98 kg. The 2.4 × 1.2 m safety sheet weighs 6.39 kg. One person can carry the safety size. The standard size is manageable by one person but safer with two. The mass per square metre is 2.22 kg/m², calculated from the 6 mm wire diameter at 200 × 200 mm centres.
What concrete thickness do I need with A142 mesh?
For light-duty applications (paths, patios, shed bases), 75–100 mm of C25/30 concrete is sufficient with A142 mesh. Position the mesh in the lower third of the slab with minimum 40 mm concrete cover (BS 8500 requirement for ground-contact slabs). For aggressive ground conditions — sulphate-bearing or contaminated soils — increase cover to 50 mm and use a thicker slab of 100–150 mm.
How much overlap do A142 mesh sheets need?
Minimum 200 mm overlap — one full mesh square at 200 × 200 mm spacing. Tie the overlapping sheets with soft wire at 400 mm intervals along the lap. Some engineers specify 300 mm overlap for additional security. Never butt sheets edge-to-edge without overlap, as this creates a weak joint in the slab. For critical applications, check the structural specification for specific overlap requirements.
What is the difference between A142 and B283 mesh?
A142 is an A-series mesh with equal 6 mm wire in both directions (142 mm²/m each way). B283 is a B-series mesh with 6 mm longitudinal wire and 7 mm cross wire — it provides 283 mm² in the main direction but less in the cross direction. Use A-series for uniformly loaded slabs (paths, patios). Use B-series where loading or spanning is one-directional (suspended slabs, beam-and-block). B283 costs £99.28 per 4.8 × 2.4 m sheet versus £24.95 for A142.
Where do I position spacers for A142 mesh?
Place plastic bar chairs at 600–800 mm centres across the sub-base before laying the mesh. The spacers must maintain 40 mm minimum concrete cover between the mesh and the ground surface. For a 100 mm slab, this puts the mesh at 40 mm from the bottom — in the lower third of the slab depth. Never let mesh sit directly on the DPM or sub-base — it provides no reinforcement if it is at the very bottom of the pour.
Can I cut A142 mesh on site?
Yes. A142 has 6 mm wires which can be cut with standard bolt croppers. Mark the cut line, ensure the mesh is supported flat, and cut one wire at a time. Wear gloves and eye protection — cut wire ends are sharp. For large quantities of cuts, an angle grinder with a metal cutting disc is faster. After cutting, fold or flatten any protruding wire ends to prevent injuries. Off-cuts can be used for small infill areas provided the minimum 200 mm overlap is maintained.
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