Wire fabric lath may be fabricated with which type of wire?

Wire fabric lath may be fabricated with which type of wire?

• A. Aluminum wire
• B. Steel wire that is not galvanized
• C. Stainless steel
• D. Copper

Answer: (B)

Wire fabric lath must be made from a metal that combines strength with workable form to create a supportive lattice for plaster. Steel wire provides the necessary rigidity and durability, which is why it is the standard base material for this lath. The coating on steel, such as galvanizing, is a surface finish to improve corrosion resistance and is not the deciding factor for the material itself. Aluminum tends to be too soft and can deform under plaster application, copper is costly and not practical for typical plastering, and stainless steel, while corrosion resistant, is generally more expensive with little added benefit for standard interior plaster systems. Therefore, using steel wire as the base material (with or without galvanizing as a finish) is the most appropriate and commonly used choice for wire fabric lath.

Wire fabric lath must be made from a metal that combines strength with workable form to create a supportive lattice for plaster. Steel wire provides the necessary rigidity and durability, which is why it is the standard base material for this lath. The coating on steel, such as galvanizing, is a surface finish to improve corrosion resistance and is not the deciding factor for the material itself. Aluminum tends to be too soft and can deform under plaster application, copper is costly and not practical for typical plastering, and stainless steel, while corrosion resistant, is generally more expensive with little added benefit for standard interior plaster systems. Therefore, using steel wire as the base material (with or without galvanizing as a finish) is the most appropriate and commonly used choice for wire fabric lath.