The Different Types Of Wire (Lath) Found In Stucco Lathing

There are a wide range of different wires that are used in the lathing process of stucco these days, so I wanted to write this post to discuss some of the different kinds available and what they are used for.

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Certain types of wire are better suited for different things and knowing which type of lath to go with will make the job a whole lot easier to do.

This particular wire is commonly used in the three coat stucco system and is a fairly strong kind of wire. It is furred, which means that it sticks off of the wall a little bit (about a quarter inch or so) so that the stucco mix can "key" in behind it. You really want the wire to be in the middle of your base coat, for the best possible installation.

The two different pictures show the same gauge wire being used but the top picture uses a square pattern and the lower one uses the more common honeycomb pattern. Both will work just fine and are acceptable for three coat stucco systems; it's just a personal preference.

In order to achieve a furred product, the wire is crimped by a machine, so when it is rolled out along the wall, it will stand off of it a bit, roughly a 1/4". When installing the wire, you want to make sure these "crimps" are facing in so there is a gap between the wall and most of the wire.

The wire can come in a non-furred version but is hardly used because you would have to use furred nails instead, and most codes require the use of furred wire anyways. The wire is typically galvanized to prevent corrosion over the years. The holes in the wire are approximately 1 1/2 inches apart (depending on the manufacturer), which doesn't really matter but is just another identifying factor for three coat stucco wire.

• Typical Sizes: This type of wire comes in a roll that measures approximately 36" tall by 150' long, roughly 450 sq. feet of wire.
  
  
• Cost: Price varies by manufacturer, but for estimation purposes, you can expect to pay somewhere between $45 - $60 a roll, which is approximately $0.10 - $0.13 per sq. foot.
  
  
• Uses: Three coat stucco applications and masonry applications.
  
  
• Availability: You can find this at any stucco supplier, and it is the most common type of wire around. It is also available at many Home Depot stores, which makes it more convenient for most people.

This wire is the same as the 17 gauge but a little thinner and flimsier. It is used in one coat stucco applications and has smaller openings than 17 gauge wire, making it not nearly as strong. There is really only one style, and it resembles the look and thickness of traditional chicken wire. This is the only type of wire used for a one coat stucco installation and it is made specifically for it, so keep that in mind.

The one coat wire also has smaller spacing between the holes, about 1", compared to the 1 1/2" spacing of the three coat wire.

• Typical Sizes: One coat wire comes in a roll, just like the three coat wire, and measures the same, roughly 36" tall by 150' long, covering an estimated 450 sq. feet of wire.
  
  
• Cost: Price varies by manufacturer, but for estimation purposes, you can expect to pay somewhere between $40 - $55 a roll, approximately $0.08 - $0.12 per sq. foot.
  
  
• Uses: One coat stucco (two coat) applications ONLY!
  
  
• Availability: It can be found at Home Depot, though not all locations carry it. It’s more reliably available at a stucco supply store.

This type of wire lath is intended for ceilings and soffits. The design is made to hold the plaster in place while minimizing the amount of fallouts. It resembles expanded metal lath, but is much more rigid due to the grooves that run down the length of the wire. The ridges provide stability and are installed with the points facing up. High rib lath is only used for ceilings and not for anything else. While it could technically be used on walls, building codes might not allow it. It is hard to cut with tin snips, so using a small 4" grinder with a metal cutting wheel is quicker.

• Typical Sizes: High rib lath comes in sheets measuring about 27" by 8', providing approximately 16 square feet of coverage per sheet after overlapping the edges.
  
  
• Cost: Price varies by manufacturer, but for estimation purposes, you can expect to pay somewhere between $4 - $10 a sheet, approximately $0.25 - $0.62 per sq. foot.
  
  
• Uses: Soffits (ceilings) only.
  
  
• Availability: This is a specialty item usually found at a stucco supply yard. It’s not commonly found at larger home improvement stores.

This particular lath has a much smaller pattern in the wire itself. It allows the cement to bond to it very well and is usually used for patches, transitions, and uneven surfaces. You can use it for your entire project if your building department allows it, but it is more expensive than traditional wire. It also works great for stone veneer projects!

Most of the sheets you find will not be pre-furred, so they won't be up to code. However, you can get them furred, usually as a special order item. They come in three different weights: 1.75, 2.5, and 3.5, with (2.5) being one of the most common weights used in the industry.

• Typical Sizes: Expanded metal lath measures 27" wide by 8' in length, just like high rib lath, and comes in sheets.
  
  
• Cost: Price varies by manufacturer, but generally ranges between $3 - $9 a sheet, approximately $0.19 - $0.56 per sq. foot.
  
  
• Uses: Patches, masonry, tile, stone veneer, etc.
  
  
• Availability: It can be found almost anywhere because it is common and used by many different trades. Specialty stores often offer better prices and selections than larger chain stores.

This type of wire has the paper attached to it already and is used mostly for open stud applications. A strand of wire runs the length of the paper and wire and is interwoven, connecting the two together. It has edges designed to overlap the paper and wire simultaneously.

Typically, two layers of 60-minute building paper are applied to the wall before using this wire since these tend to leak more easily. Without sheer on the wall, there is hardly any backing for the paper and wire, making installation harder and more time-consuming.

• Typical Sizes: This wire comes in a roll approximately 36" wide by 100' long or in sheets measuring 28" by 104" (or 96").
  
  
• Cost: Prices vary by manufacturer, but generally fall between $60 - $85 a roll, approximately $0.20 - $0.28 per sq. foot. Sheets cost around $10 each, approximately $0.55 per sq. foot.
  
  
• Uses: Open stud applications only.
  
  
• Availability: It can be found at a stucco supply store or sometimes a larger hardware store.

There is an alternative to metal, which is a fiberglass mesh (Spider Lath) with furring strips along the back. It is code compliant and can be used instead of traditional metal lath. It is easier to cut, lightweight, and more user-friendly.

However, it is harder to acquire and much more expensive. The only place I found it was on Amazon. It is difficult to find even from local stucco suppliers.

You can cut it with regular scissors or a utility knife. It is attached the same way as traditional metal lath—either stapled or nailed with approved fasteners using galvanized or code-specified materials.

Below is a quick video showing how the whole process works and what to expect if you choose this route.

The video is about the lath and scratch process for a stone veneer project but has applicable information for stucco as well.

Wooden "slats" that run horizontally were a common lath used in the past. It is not typically used today because it requires more work to install and is more expensive compared to modern materials and techniques.

The picture shows the interior of a home that used wooden planks for the stucco to "key into", but wood lath can also be found on the exterior of homes. There is not much more to say about wooden lath; it is a simple and self-explanatory process.

Nailing Patterns For Wire: Nailing off nearly all types of wire is similar, but check your local building codes and engineering specs. Most wire requires a "6 and 12" interval fastener pattern.

* Check your local building code to see what is required in your area.
This means that nails or staples around the edges of windows, corners of walls, and the bottom and top of walls will require a fastener every 6 inches, and nailing every 12" on the studs themselves (vertically).

What Is Furred Wire: Furring is a simple dimple made to hold the wire off the wall (evenly) by about a quarter inch. These dimples are strategically placed on the wire for even spacing.

The picture shows the wire (three coat stucco) furred in detail. Notice the staple holding the wire in place, touching the wall, while the rest of the wire has a gap.

What Is K Lath: K lath is a brand of wire made by Tree Island, but it has become a more generic term for wire, particularly the square-shaped wire used in most commercial stucco jobs.

Tree Island makes wire for nearly every type of stucco application.

Best Way To Cut Metal Lath: A good pair of tin snips will generally do the job, either small ones or larger types available nearly everywhere. For cutting high rib lath, using a small grinder with a metal cutting blade is quicker and cleaner, due to the "ribs" in the wire.

Overlap Wire: The overlap depends on the wire type and the size of the holes. Larger holes require more overlap; smaller, tighter holes require less.

The "industry standard" is a 6" overlap for standard wire (three coat and one coat stucco wire), and other wires typically require a 3" overlap. Check with the manufacturer and local building codes for specific guidelines.

These are MINIMUM requirements. More overlap is acceptable but do not try to save on wire by using less than recommended. Wire is inexpensive compared to potential problems arising later from inadequate overlap.

Did I forget anything? If so, let me know in the comments below with any questions or comments you have. Thanks!

Stucco wire mesh or netting is a basic material for construction that works as the supporting and reinforcing mesh. It is mainly made of galvanized steel wire and reverse twisted into hexagonal meshes. It is applied when installing stucco on the exterior of a building to provide better support, as it does not have enough structure on its own to support itself on a wall.

Stucco netting is typically installed over a building to provide a stable surface for the application of stucco. It helps to strengthen the stucco and prevent cracking by distributing the forces exerted on the wall surface more evenly.

There are many types of stucco netting; read on to find out the best one for your project.

Types of stucco netting

There are many types of stucco netting. Selecting the right one for your project depends on various factors. Galvanized wire stucco netting is a very popular choice since wire coated in zinc prevents the formation of rust and is suitable for both interior and exterior applications.

Other types of stucco netting include fiberglass stucco netting or plastic stucco netting. Different wall constructions have different requirements.

What does furring mean in stucco netting for wall construction?

Stucco netting is available in two main types: self-furred and non-furred. Furring is a type of stucco netting that consists of a metal mesh or lath with ridges on one side. These ridges provide spacing between the netting and the existing wall, allowing for proper ventilation and drainage behind the stucco or plaster.

The self-furring stucco netting allows for adequate bonding of the materials.

When using non-furred stucco netting, additional furring strips are typically required to create the necessary gap between the netting and the substrate. These furring strips can be made of wood, metal, or other suitable materials.

Whatever version of stucco netting you choose for your project, make sure to follow the manufacturer's guidelines for correct installation.

Mid-Continent Steel and Wire has furred and non-furred stucco netting with red markings every 6 inches on 17 gauge or 20 gauge mesh in compliance with construction regulations. Our Stucco Netting comes with a paper wrap that identifies and protects each roll from dust. It is the ideal reinforcement for Portland gypsum plaster, stucco one coat & three coat systems, masonry veneer, cultured stone, casi-stone, and ceramic tile.

Want more information on SMOOTH STUCCO WIRE MESH? Feel free to contact us.