Expanded metal is used in place of hardware cloth when more strength is needed.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Sometimes
• D. Not used

Answer: (A)

Expanded metal provides greater strength and stiffness than hardware cloth because it is made from a single sheet of metal that is slit and expanded. This creates diamond-shaped openings with thicker, continuous strands, giving a rigid, load‑bearing mesh. Hardware cloth is woven, with thinner wires and interlacing joints that can flex or deform under stress, making it less rigid. In situations where you need more strength—such as security screens, protective fencing, or surfaces that must resist bending and tearing—expanded metal is the preferred choice. Hence, the statement is true.