Lath and plaster are still utilized in many older residences and commercial structures today, despite their waning popularity. Lath and plaster had become popular throughout the United States and Canada by the middle of the 20th century.Įventually, as new building materials like drywall became more widely accessible in the 1960s and 1970s, the use of lath and plaster started to wane. Lath and plaster could be produced in large quantities at this time thanks to improvements in building techniques and technology.īecause it was reasonably priced, gave strong fire protection, and had good insulation qualities, it became a common choice for residential and commercial buildings. Lath and plaster did not, however, start to be extensively utilized in North America until the 19th century. History of Lath and Plasterįor ages, walls and ceilings have been constructed with lath and plaster.Ī type of lath and plaster was utilized in medieval Europe as well as by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and builders of Egypt. Since then, the risks of asbestos exposure have been amply documented, and asbestos is now understood to be a chemical that causes cancer.Īs a result, many building owners and occupants are now concerned about the presence of asbestos in lath and plaster, and are looking for ways to identify and address it safely. Throughout the 20th century, lath and plaster, among other building products, frequently used asbestos as a fire-resistant and insulating substance. The existence of asbestos in plaster and lath, however, has raised significant concerns. It was especially popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and remained a common building material until the mid-20th century. Lath and plaster were used for both interior and exterior walls and ceilings in homes, commercial buildings, and other structures. The plaster dries and hardens, creating a durable and fire-resistant surface. It consists of a framework made of thin strips of wood or metal called lath, which is covered in a layer of wet plaster. Lath and plaster is a building material that was widely used in construction before the advent of drywall. 11.10 What type of plaster commonly contains asbestos? Introduction to Lath and Plaster Walls