Technical Bulletins
Up to date product information, solutions and best practices are addressed in our technical bulletins. Need a solution – call us at 1 800 887 4708
Comparing VTWC Soffit Lath and Traditional Rib Lath
Hi-Rib expanded metal lath was developed and used for stucco soffits and ceilings for many decades. However, this lath was always susceptible to cracks forming after curing along some of the ribs or at the longitudinal overlaps. Since there were no alternatives, the industry lived with these problems for all these years. The cracking is …
STRUCTA V TRUSS WALLS & CEILINGS (RIB LATH) IS NEW & IMPROVED
Structa Wire Corp., is a leader in developing innovative solutions for stucco reinforcing. An IMPROVED version of V Truss Walls & Ceilings (an Code approved alternative to 3.4 Rib lath), is now available. The product has been enhanced to provide for high performance for both One Coat and Three Coat plaster soffits. The product …
Structa Wire is included in SpecLink-E
Structa Wire Corp., is a leader in developing innovative solutions for stucco reinforcing. The industry’s specifications provider BSD SpecLink-E, will promote Structa Wire products to architects, engineers, and project managers. The partnership will enable Structa Wire to deliver reliable information about Structa products to specifiers at the moment they need it. SpecLink-E enables designers to …
Moisture Intrusion into Stucco Walls
Moisture intrusion into building walls in wetter climates has become a growing concern. The results can be damage to framing components, either wood or steel, and potential of mold forming in the walls or the batt insulation. Many of these buildings have stucco cladding, and stucco has been scrutinized as to its contribution to the …
3 Coat Stucco -Wall Assembly for Continuous Insulation
The new energy code regulations means increased use of Continuous Insulation over framed wall construction. In steel stud construction especially, the transference of heat and cold through the stud itself, known as thermal bridging, can minimize or negate the desired R value of the cavity insulation. Utilizing foam insulation on the outboard side of the …
Mega Lath is Versatile and Helps Stucco Walls Achieve Higher LEED Ratings
Issued: March 2016 Steel framed buildings have many advantages, but the major negative is the thermal bridging losses through the steel webs. More stringent energy codes are forcing architects and designers to devise new designs to not only meet present requirements, but to strive further to achieve higher LEEDS ratings, and ultimately strive toward …
Recommended Fasteners for Structa Lath
Issued: March 2016 1. Wood framing – vertical. Nails – 0.1205-inch (11 ga ) diameter, 7/16-inch head diameter, barbed galvanized roofing nails. Minimum length – 1-inch. Screws – 0.120-inch shank diameter, 7/16-inch diameter pan or wafer head, galvanized sharp point wood screws Staples – 16 ga diameter, crowns not less than ¾-inch, galvanized. …
Risk of Corrosion in Wall Cladding Systems
May 4, 2010 Revised September 3, 2010 Revised August 2015 Corrosion of steel laths in stucco plasters is an ongoing concern. All of our lath and corner reinforcement products are hot galvanized to provide corrosion resistance. However it must be noted that the galvanization requirement per ASTM Standards provides protection during storage, before use, …
Wire Tying along Horizontal Side Laps
Issued: July 2015 Section 7.8.1 of ASTM C1063 states that side laps of metal plaster bases must be wire tied between supports at intervals not more than 9 inches. Historically, Structa Wire laths have not been wire tied at side laps. Over many years, the resulting stucco claddings have not shown or experienced failures …
Recommended Fastening VTruss Walls & Ceiling Lath
Issued: July 2015 – Revised October 2019 VTRUSS Walls & Ceilings or Structa Rib Lath is designed for superior performance of stucco on overhead surfaces. To determine best installation practices Structa Wire has conducted tests on direct attachment of soffit laths to wood framing, without sheathing. Two lath types were evaluated – Structa V-Truss …