Specifying FAQ: Webnet, cable & mesh questions answered
Straight answers to the questions architects and specifiers ask most about Webnet, Frames, Architectural Ropes and Green Solutions — material, code compliance, maintenance, and when to combine product lines. Starting from the Specifying Guide? This page goes one level deeper on the details.
What’s the difference between Webnet mesh and traditional (vertical) cable railing?
Webnet is a flexible diamond-pattern mesh (1.5 mm rope, roughly 60 mm openings) that conforms to curved balconies, stairs, and irregular geometry without custom fabrication. Vertical cable railing uses parallel 3 mm cables in a rigid, linear pattern — better suited to straight runs and a minimalist look. Both use AISI 316 marine-grade stainless steel and are IBC/IRC code-compliant with equivalent safety performance. The choice comes down to geometry and aesthetic, not one being “better.”
Do I need Frames with Webnet, or can Webnet be installed without them?
Frames pre-assemble Webnet into a stainless steel profile for fast, low-labor, mechanical-attachment installation — a fit for retrofits, standardized openings, and projects that need a painted RAL/NCS color match. Webnet alone, tensioned directly between existing structure, suits custom or complex geometry, maximum transparency, and long continuous runs (up to roughly 100 m). We don’t have published load-rating or cost comparisons between the two approaches — for a project-specific recommendation, talk to our team.
When would a project use Architectural Ropes instead of Webnet, or combine both?
There isn’t a fixed rule here — in practice, project teams often combine both: ropes as the structural or edge-tensioning members, Webnet as the infill mesh. A school fall-protection installation, for example, used 400+ m² of Webnet framed by 380 linear meters of edge cable; a pedestrian bridge combined 2 mm rope mesh with vertical tensioning cables. If you’re weighing ropes vs. mesh for a specific application, talk to our team rather than guessing from a general rule.
Is Webnet certified for guardrail and fall-protection use in the US?
Webnet meets IBC and IRC guardrail requirements, including the 4-inch (102 mm) sphere rule, and holds DIBt Homologation Z-14.7-557 (a German fall-protection certification for horizontal and vertical use), plus ISO 9001 and ISO 14001. We don’t have a specific ASTM listing or ICC-ES evaluation report on file for the US market — if your jurisdiction requires one, confirm directly with our team before specifying.
What mesh opening sizes does Webnet come in, and is it appropriate where children could be present?
Standard apertures include roughly 25×45 mm, 30×61 mm, 35×68 mm and 40×75 mm (the most commonly specified), a 60 mm option, and a wider ~180 mm mesh used for green walls. For higher-climbability settings — schools, playgrounds, hospitals — a smaller or vertically-oriented mesh can be specified. Confirm the exact aperture against your local code’s sphere-passage requirement with our team before finalizing a child-safety-sensitive application.
What grade of stainless steel does Jakob use, and does it hold up in coastal or marine environments?
Jakob specifies AISI 316 / 316L molybdenum-alloyed marine-grade stainless steel (roughly 16–18% chromium, 10–14% nickel, 2–3% molybdenum). The molybdenum content is what resists chloride and salt-spray corrosion — Jakob relies on that base material rather than a corrosion-resistant coating over a lesser alloy.
How much maintenance does a Webnet or cable installation need?
A trained technician should visually inspect the installation at least once a year. Indoor installations generally just need dust and fingerprints removed; outdoor or coastal installations should be rinsed with moderate-pressure water at least every six months. Avoid letting unalloyed steel tools contact the mesh during install or maintenance — stray iron particles can damage the stainless steel’s passive layer. In long-term coastal use, surface discoloration can occur without affecting structural performance.
Is Webnet a separate product from Green Solutions, or part of it?
Webnet is the foundational mesh used across the whole Green Solutions family. “Green Solutions” packages Webnet mesh together with the spacers, rails, and fasteners needed for a specific green-façade approach — including GreenTrellis (better suited to concrete walls) and GreenKit (a complete DIY set). It’s a system built around Webnet, not an alternative to it.