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NEW YORK -- Local #46 Metallic Lathers Union and the Employing Metallic Furring and
Lath Association of NY announced the formation of the New York Lath and Plaster Institute
to promote the use of lath and plaster construction in the New York Metropolitan area.
"Because of concerns about safety, mold and noise, lath and plaster construction is about to experience
a renaissance in New York," said Robert A. Ledwith, Managing Director of the New York Lath & Plaster Institute
and Business Manager & Financial Secretary-Treasurer of Local 46 of the New York Lather's Union.
"Since 9/11, lath and plaster has become increasingly attractive to builders, facilities managers and homeowners for a
whole host of reasons," continued Mr. Ledwith. "Our organization will help educate architects, designers, builders and
ordinary homeowners about the extraordinary design flexiblity and benefits of lath and plaster walls and ceilings."
"First and foremost, lath and plaster offers outstanding fire resistance. A typical lath and plaster
wall provides twice the fire resistance of sheetrock walls typical in New York apartments and offices.
Ask any New York firefighter which material they prefer and it will be lath and plaster every time."
Kevin O'Brien, head of the Employing Metallic Furring and Lath Association of NY noted that unlike sheetrock, lath and plaster
does not support the growth of toxic molds. "From low-income housing in The Bronx to penthouses on Park Avenue,
mold has become a serious problem in New York. In may cases, toxic molds have caused the abandonment of entire buildings.
Toxic mold simply cannot survive on lath and plaster."
Lath and plaster also provides outstanding sound attenuation. "New Yorkers are sick and tired of hearing their neighbors
quarreling or dogs barking through seemingly paper-thin sheetrock walls," said Mr. O'Brien. "Typical lath and plaster walls are three times
quieter than sheetrock walls."
In addtion to safety, mold and noise benefits, lath and plaster provides unparalleled design flexibility. "Lath and plaster
allows for sweeping compound curves, vaulted ceilings, intricate moldings," says Mr. O'Brien. "Design flexiblity, coupled with many other
benefits, means lath and plaster offers outstanding quality."
Lath and plaster was the dominant construction method in New York until the introduction of low-cost sheetrock
during the early 1960s. Indeed, the hallmark of highly desirable pre-war buildings are their lath and plaster walls and ceilings.
"There is no question that sheetrock is a cheaper building material," said Mr. Ledwith. "However, for a modest up charge,
builders and homeowners can have real lath and plasters walls that are extremely durable and maintain resale value."
To educate the city's architectural and design community, the New York Lath & Plaster Institute maintains a design showroom in
Woodside, Queens with examples of complex wall and ceiling treatments possible only in lath and plaster.
"In addition to architects, contractors, and interior decorators, the showroom is also very popular with lighting designers eager to experiment
with the shapes and setbacks possible with lath and plaster," said Mr. Ledwith.
"There are lots of reasons to use lath and plaster construction," says Mr. Ledwith. "But bottom line, lath and plaster has class."
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