This thesis presents a measurement-parameterized performance study of deployment factors in wireless mesh networks using four performance metrics: client coverage area, backhaul tier connectivity, protocol-dependent throughput, and per-user fair rates. For each metric, I identify and study deployment factors which strongly influence mesh performance via an extensive set of Monte Carlo simulations capturing realistic physical layer behavior. My findings include: (i) A random topology is unsuitable for a large-scale mesh deployment due to doubled node density requirements, yet a moderate level of perturbations from ideal grid placement has minor impact. (ii) Multiple backhaul radios per mesh node is a cost-effective deployment strategy as it leads to mesh deployments costing 50% less than with a single-radio architecture. This work adds to the understanding of mesh deployment factors and their general impact on performance, providing further insight into practical mesh deployments.