Welded-wire fabric lath with backing must have openings no larger than which size?

Welded-wire fabric lath with backing must have openings no larger than which size?

• A. 2" x 2"
• B. 1" x 1"
• C. 3" x 3"
• D. 4" x 4"

Answer: (A)

Openings in welded-wire fabric lath with backing are kept to two inches by two inches to ensure the plaster has a solid key and enough surface to grip. If the openings are too large, plaster can push through the mesh, weakening the bond, increasing sagging, and raising the risk of cracking or delamination. The backing adds stiffness, but it doesn’t compensate for overly large openings, so limiting to two inches square provides a reliable balance between bond strength and material practicality.

Openings in welded-wire fabric lath with backing are kept to two inches by two inches to ensure the plaster has a solid key and enough surface to grip. If the openings are too large, plaster can push through the mesh, weakening the bond, increasing sagging, and raising the risk of cracking or delamination. The backing adds stiffness, but it doesn’t compensate for overly large openings, so limiting to two inches square provides a reliable balance between bond strength and material practicality.