How should wood lath be fastened in a plaster wall?

• A. With corrosion-resistant nails or staples, spaced per code, to securely hold the lath
• B. With ordinary nails without corrosion protection
• C. With screws only
• D. With glue and washers

Answer: (A)

Wood lath serves as the mechanical base for plaster, so it must be firmly attached to the studs with fasteners that won’t rust over time. Using corrosion-resistant nails or staples and spacing them according to code ensures the lath is held securely along its length and at its edges. This creates a stable, uniform substrate that plaster can grip and that won’t loosen with moisture or movement. Ordinary nails without corrosion protection can rust and fail, weakening the attachment. Screws aren’t the standard method for wood lath in typical plaster walls, and glue with washers won’t provide the needed mechanical hold.