Need some sort of metal mesh... What am I looking for?

pinkteapot

We have an inset gas fire (not working, never used) with a large opening up into the chimney. We had to cover the fire when we got a cat as he kept trying to climb up into the chimney and left sooty paw-prints around the lounge.

I want to see the fire again, even though it's unused and decorative. So, I plan to clean as much of the soot as possible off the brick bit above the fire, and wedge or somehow stick in a piece of metal mesh that would block the chimney (to stop him getting up it) but allow air flow.

So, I need a metal mesh, strong enough to stop a cat but flexible enough to get up a chimney hole (the chimney widens out above the 'slot' above the fire).

Any ideas for a material I can use? I don't know what I'm asking for in Wickes/B&Q.

Ideas for fixing it in place also appreciated (don't want the cat to be able to push it upwards). I would just chuck glue up there (my usual solution to problems), but if someone in the future replaces the fire, I don't want them getting fumes from melting glue from the chimney!

zaax

chicken wire?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=50m+chicken+wire&!!!!!googhydr-21&index=aps&hvadid=26277988851&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8692741707110117021&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_2amvs7ktb9_b

pinkteapot

D'Oh! Yes, of course.

gingernut352000

You want expanded metal mesh but also what about a cheap replacement bbq grill from wilkinsons or the such like