When an architect, engineer or facility owner designs and specifies an exterior plastersystem, they normally focus on colors, textures, and finishes. While these aesthetic features can be created with hard-coat plaster, they don’t address the functionality of the cladding system. To ensure the stucco cladding system performs as it should, it is important to understand how the lathing system selected will interact with the stucco material, particularly the lath’s ability to be embedded, or become covered by plaster.
There are a number of different metal lath materials available on the market today, each with their own pros and cons. Some are more commonly accepted in specific regions due to historical preference and methods of use on the jobsite. Yet, lathing materials not used traditionally may help solve the embedment equation easier than ever. Let’s explore.