Homeowners, architects, designers and developers are rediscovering the beauty and utility of lath and plaster.

This elegant marriage of form and function is increasingly used in a range of construction projects, spanning from upscale private residences to high-rise commercial buildings.

Lath and plaster offers a range of aesthetic, safety and cost benefits.

Outstanding Fire Resistance

A typical metal lath and plaster wall provides twice the fire resistance of drywall.

For instance, builders can attain a two-hour fire rating with a mere 2.5 in. of metal lath and plaster (test #GA-WP-1930). To achieve the same level of fire resistance, it would require 5 in. of a drywall configuration (test #UL Des U454). Indeed, new lath and plaster configurations are able to achieve a two-hour fire rating with just 2 in.! This allows their use around elevator shafts and for construction of fireproof "chases."

This maximizes the square footage available for occupant space and optimizes trades sequence scheduling.

Safety and Strength

Developers are using lath and plaster in public spaces, such as lobbies and hallways, because of its long-lasting sturdiness and performance.

Modern plasters now offer compressive strengths from 3,000 to 10,000 psi. Impact strength ranges from 1,300 to 1,750 g/sq. cm. Such strength provides the owner, architect and contractor with greater abuse resistance and durability than ever before.