The Plastering Industry is working to build living buildings, the building will breath and move with the environment inside, and outside. Many Hotels 6 – 10 stories tall are using the Lath and 3 coat Portland cement plaster cladding. The metal stud framing systems are being used all over Northern California. The metal stud is much truer than wood studs and it is becoming more efficient to build with metal studs. The plaster performs best when it is applied in a consistent thickness. The metal stud framing assist the finish appearance by giving the plasterer true and plum walls to work on.

The movement in a building varies from day to day and most of the plaster systems have areas for movement designed in the system. The metal stud framing is utilized to provide the movement where needed.
The seismic movement in the local environment requires more movement relieve joints than most other
Areas. The Plaster and EIFS systems today have been more advanced since 1989. The Loma Preida earthquake and the Northridge quake have given the industry evidence on which systems work well and what systems failed.

SBPCA recommend

• Metal Stud framing
• Sheating exterior Gyp Board, Densglass bd., or plywood
• Two layers of 60 minute Grade ‘D’ paper over sheeting
• 3.4 expanded metal lath dimpled or 17GA 1 ½” woven wire self furred
• Portland cement 3 coat half common and half plastic mix, or premium mix
• EIFS