Building with Metal Lath in 1921

DEVELOPMENT of metal lath as a basic exterior wall material has been one of the remarkable features of recent progress. Its easy adaptability to every kind of building has led to its wide use and the attendant evolution from crude to perfect construction has brought forth several distinct types of exterior wall, of which the back-plastered form has been found by actual tests to be the most efficient.

In back-plastered construction the studs are erected as usual, but no sheathing is used. Furring strips (metal preferred) are placed along the studs and the metal lath attached at once. The metal lath is placed with the long dimensions (8 ft.) across the supports and fastened by nailing or stapling every 6 ins.

The first exterior stucco coat is applied as usual and the plasterer goes to the inside of the house and plasters with the same material between the studs on to the keys of the exterior coat. This positively imbeds the lath and forms a reinforced monolithic coat of cement which common sense and many tests tell us is far stronger than sheathing.

After the back-plastered coat has been completed the next step is the insulation. Satisfactory results have generally been obtained without paper insulation of any kind. It is wise, however, to provide a safeguard against extremes of weather. Ordinary building paper, doubled, forms a satisfactory and inexpensive insulating medium. The paper is cut in between the studs and fastened by nailing wood strips over the folded edges of the material and so placed as to leave about 1 inch air space between it and the stucco.

All that remains to complete the black-plastered exterior wall is the lathing and plastering of the interior side of the wall. In a general way the operations are identical with those described for the exterior wall. Furring, however, is usually dispensed with and a lighter lath is used, 2.3 Ibs. per square yard being the minimum weight recommended. Back plastering of this side of the wall is of course mechanically impossible. If care is taken in applying the plaster a perfect and satisfactory key is attained.

When the exterior is decided upon the next consideration is the permanency and safety of the interior. Cracks in plaster are the most objectionable and unsightly evidence of thoughtlessness in construction. They are nearly always unnecessary and can be avoided if metal lath is used as a base and reinforcement for the plaster. It is not necessary to use this modern lathing material throughout; the expense is negligible when its use is confined to the places where cracks are most unsightly or where they are most likely to occur.

Building with Metal Lath continued here…

Visit the 1920-30.com Web-site for detailed coverage of the 1920's

This entry was posted on Monday, September 4th, 2006 at 5:50 am and is filed under 1920's, Architecture. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Comments and pings are closed.