Metal lath

Description

A stiff metal mesh used as a support for plaster walls. Metal lathes were patented in England in 1797 and made in the U.S. after 1896. Expanded metal lath was made by punching hole patterns in sheet metal then stretching the sheet to form an open mesh. The mesh patterns varied depending on manufacturer, such as diamond, herringbone, and oblong. Metal lath provides strength and water-resistance for ceramic tile walls used in bathrooms and kitchens.

Synonyms and Related Terms

expanded metal lath; Bostwick lath; diamond mesh lath; herringbone lath; oblong mesh; Truss loop lath; Trussit; rib lath

Resources and Citations

• Dictionary of Building Preservation, Ward Bucher, ed., John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York City, 1996

• Art and Architecture Thesaurus Online, http://www.getty.edu/research/tools/vocabulary/aat/, J. Paul Getty Trust, Los Angeles, 2000

• Preservation Briefs: Brief 21