Wall cladding system

Abstract

A system and method for cladding a building. The system comprises a metal mesh supported by an exterior exposed surface of the building a layer of a base coat applied over the metal mesh so as to form a matrix therearound and a finishing barrier layer applied over the matrix of the metal mesh and the base coat layer. The system may further comprise a rigid base layer of expanded polystyrene applied to the building exterior below the metal mesh wherein the metal mesh is secured to the base layer. The method comprises supporting the metal mesh by an exterior exposed surface of the building applying the cement base coat over the metal mesh so as to form a matrix therearound and applying a finishing barrier layer over the base coat.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for cladding a building comprising:
 a metal mesh supported by an exterior exposed surface of said building;   a layer of a base coat applied over the metal mesh so as to form a matrix therearound; and   a finishing barrier layer applied over said matrix of said metal mesh and said base coat layer.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a rigid base layer applied to the building exterior below the metal mesh wherein said metal mesh is secured to said base layer. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein said base layer is formed of an insulating material. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3  wherein said insulating material comprises expanded polystyrene. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said base coat is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of cement, plaster or polymers. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said finishing barrier layer is formed of an acrylic. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said metal mesh is secured to said exterior surface of building by fasteners. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 2  wherein said metal mesh is secured to said base layer by fasteners. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 2  wherein said metal mesh is substantially planar. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 2  wherein said base layer includes a groove formed therein, wherein said system further includes a shaped metal mesh strip having a profile corresponding to said groove, said shaped metal mesh strip being securable within said groove wherein said base coat and said barrier layer are applied thereover in a substantially uniform thickness so as to form a corresponding groove in a finished wall. 
     
     
         11 . A method for cladding a building comprising:
 supporting a metal mesh by an exterior exposed surface of the building;   applying a cement base coat over the metal mesh so as to form a matrix therearound; and   applying a finishing barrier layer over the base coat.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising securing a base layer to the building exterior wherein said metal mesh is secured to said base layer. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said metal mesh is secured to said base layer with fasteners.