Abstract: The present invention provides for a welded wire lath device having a plurality of longitudinal wires extending along a plane and in a longitudinal direction, a plurality of tension release devices disposed on the plurality of longitudinal wires, a plurality of transverse wires extending along the plane in a transverse direction; and a plurality of weld connections at each intersection point between the plurality of longitudinal wires and the plurality of transverse wires. Each of the plurality of tension release devices are randomly spaced along the plurality of parallel longitudinal wires. The longitudinal wires, including each of the plurality of tension release devices, have a rectilinear cross-section. The present invention also provides for a structural assembly, and related method, having the welded wire lath device attached to a structural support such as a wall or ceiling and having a cementitious material embedded within the welded wire lath device.

Abstract: A light-weight metal framing member includes a metal stud and reinforcement plate(s), and method to produce a light-weight metal framing member may include forming a pair of channel members each having a respective major face having a respective first edge, and reinforcing such with one or more reinforcement plates, preferably at opposed ends thereof. Each member includes first and second flanges extending along the respective major face. A wire matrix includes a pair of wires each having apexes alternatively physically attached to the pair of channel members. The wire matrix forms longitudinal passages to support utility lines and position the lines away from the pair of channel members. The apexes are secured to flanges of the pair of channel members to strengthen the stud and reduce weight.

Abstract: An expanded metal lath may be formed by slitting a metal sheet or strip in a defined pattern and subjecting the sheet or coil to a tensile force sufficient to cause the slits to form a plurality of openings. The web bands forming the plurality of openings can include a heavier web bands in areas where fasteners will be used to affix the expanded metal lath to a substrate and lighter web bands in other areas where fasteners will not be used. The expanded metal lath can include stabilizers or selvedge wires at opposed lateral or longitudinal edges to protect the expanded metal lath during shipping and installation. The expanded metal lath may include furring elements integrally formed with the web bands to raise the expanded metal lath off an underlying surface.

Abstract: An expanded metal lath may be formed by slitting a metal sheet or strip in a defined pattern and subjecting the sheet or coil to a tensile force sufficient to cause the slits to form a plurality of openings. The web bands forming the plurality of openings can include a heavier web bands in areas where fasteners will be used to affix the expanded metal lath to a substrate and lighter web bands in other areas where fasteners will not be used. The expanded metal lath can include stabilizers or selvedge wires at opposed lateral or longitudinal edges to protect the expanded metal lath during shipping and installation. The expanded metal lath may include furring elements integrally formed with the web bands to raise the expanded metal lath off an underlying surface.

Abstract: A lath and method to produce a lath may include furring strand wires with furring bends, transverse wires joined to the furring strand wires to not overlap a furring bend, and a stabilization wire arranged along a serpentine path and joined to the transverse wires.

Abstract: A lath and method to produce a lath may include furring strand wires with furring bends, transverse wires joined to the furring strand wires to not overlap a furring bend, and a stabilization wire arranged along a serpentine path and joined to the transverse wires.

Abstract: A light-weight metal stud and method to produce a light-weight metal stud may include forming a pair of channel members each having a respective major face having a respective first edge. Each member includes first and second flanges extending along the respective major face. A wire matrix includes a pair of wires each having apexes alternatively physically attached to the pair of channel members. The wire matrix forms longitudinal passages to support utility lines and position the lines away from the pair of channel members. The apexes are secured to flanges of the pair of channel members to strengthen the stud and reduce weight.

Abstract: A building includes exterior walls that form spaces which are selectively vented under control of a control system. Vents are operated to retain trapped air or exhaust trapped air to improve the energy performance of the building. Vents with selectively operable dampers may be located proximate a top of a wall or wall section of wall. Vents may also be located proximate a bottom of a wall or wall section to allow drainage of liquid and circulation of air. Various specific wall constructions provide for an air gap between layers of exterior sheathing of the exterior wall. The air gap may be in addition to a space between interior and exterior sheathing, which space may include a thermal insulation material (e.g., fiberglass batting).