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Lath
- strips of wood which are nailed to
studs,
joists,
rafters etc to carry
plaster, although
the term is sometimes also applied to the strips of wood, usually referred to as
battens,
on which tiles are hung. Usually around 2 inches wide and of varied thickness. Single laths
are around one-eight inch, double laths one- half inch. They are usually separated by a gap
of around one-half inch. When plaster is applied to the lath it squeezes through this gap to
form projections known as "rivetts" which give the plaster its key. Laths can be split
(sometimes referred to as rent) or sawn. Most plasterers feel that the uneveness of split
lath gives a better key. Lath should be nailed in its bottom half, because if it splits the
nail will then support the larger part of it.
Lath should always be soaked prior to plaster
being applied. The use of lath in effect, is a refinement of
"wattle and daub". Reeds were often used instead of lath,
and in many parts of the world, still are.