Building pros who work with brick know that moisture is the No. 1 cause of masonry wall failures, and they also know the damage those failures can do to their reputations. A new product alleviates masonry's moisture problems and the callbacks that come from problems including efflorescence, flaking, and corrosion.
The LathNet drainage plane and metal lath system from Mortar Net Solutions can be used with thin brick, stone, stucco, and other types of adhered masonry. Using tried-and-true materials familiar to all adhered masonry installers, the system provides a faster, easier installation method than installing lath and drainage mesh separately, the company says.
Assembled in Indiana from American-made materials, LathNet can be attached with staples, nails, or screws just like a standard lath. Other benefits include: Full lath encapsulation without clogging the drainage plane; the drainage mesh acts as a mortar barrier to prevent bridging; and unrestricted air and moisture flow behind the lath to help promote rapid draining and drying.
“LathNet is the first product of its kind to reduce designer and contractor risk by combating moisture issues in adhered masonry walls with a solution that’s easy-to-use and highly effective, plus it can significantly reduce installation costs compared to using separate components," says Art Fox, marketing manager at Mortar Net Solution.
The system features include a factory-assembled combination of self-furring, 2.5-pound G-60 galvanized expanded steel metal lath and 90-percent open weave polyester drainage mesh. LathNet is available in nominal 27-inch-wide by 97-inch-long panels that cover approximately 17.3 square feet. Options include 3.4-pound, self-furring dimpled steel mesh and 0.4-inch (10 mm) thick drainage mesh.
