Rock lath is a base used to support plaster. It is also commonly known as gypsum lath or button board. Rock lath is a common lath that builders use in commercial and residential construction today. It can be used for the construction of both walls and ceilings. Other laths include wood, metal and veneer.
History
Rock lath has been used in building projects since the early 1900s. Rock lath became a good alternative to wood and metal lath because it was less expensive and saved time during construction. Builders were able to save time because they only needed to apply two coats of plaster on top of rock lath instead of three, as they had to do with wood and metal laths. By the 1930s, rock lath was the primary lath used in residential buildings.
Characteristics
Rock lath consists of a gypsum core between paper coverings. The paper on the face side is infused with gypsum crystals that bond with the wet plaster to hold it securely in place, while the inside covering resists moisture to prevent the core from softening. Some older rock lath was perforated to allow the plaster to sink into the perforations, forming plaster "keys," and bonded that way. Rock lath typically comes in boards that measure 16 inches by 48 inches and are 3/8-inch thick. It is available in a limited number of other sizes, and can be cut by scoring and bending each side of the board and breaking the board at the score.
Use and Application
Rock lath is generally used in interior walls and ceilings. Builders can place it in staggered rows and can be attached to framing with nails, screws or staples. Builders can then give it a base coat of cement plaster and a second coat of hard finish plaster. The need to use only two coats makes it faster to complete than wood and metal lath, which require three coats. The minimum thickness of these coats combined is 1/2 inch, with the first coat being 1/4- to 3/8-inch thick, and the second about 1/8-inch thick.
Problems
The walls or ceilings of buildings constructed with rock lath can develop long cracks between the lath boards. This is usually due to the building shifting over time, or heavy loads weighing down rock lath ceilings. While these cracks are difficult to prevent or repair, builders can cover them with a fiberglass mesh tape, spackled over or hidden by a layer of drywall.
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