What is lath?
These are thin strips of wood used as a key for the lime plaster. Chestnut, oak and larch are popular choices of timber for the lath. Riven lath is hand split along the grain using traditional tools and provides extra key on the surface of the lath so it is best for repairing lathed ceilings. Sawn lath is straighter with a less textured surface than riven is best for repairing lathed walls. In traditional buildings the lath would be lime plastered and limewashed. Lath can deteriorate over the years due to insect infestation or rot, especially if modern less breathable plasters or paints have been applied.
• A: Exterior Lath (Stucco wire) is the application of building paper, woven wire and stucco grounds (weep screeds) to new homes and structures, prior to the three coat stucco process. Lath building paper is applied over all areas of a framed house which will receive exterior stucco. The weather resistive barrier is part of a complete moisture control system. The paper provides a drainage plain behind the scratch, brown and color coats. Our building paper typically is a two layer grade D paper which serves as a major deterrent against water intrusion and moisture problems. Over our double black paper B & K provides a self furred woven wire. It serves as reinforcement for the cementitious three coat stucco. Weep screeds are placed at the bottom of all framed walls and are used as stucco grounds and to provide a weep mechanism as part of the drainage on your house.
