Burlap instead of lathe for plaster walls

I'm trying to figure out to secure some burlap on my interior 2x4 stud walls. I'm thinking I might use up wire and nails I have by doing a zig zag pattern over the burlap, then apply the plaster. Any thoughts? I don't have any chicken wire laying around and can't find it on Craigslist etc. Hmmm.

We call it hession in Australia.
I have seen installed with flat head nails through a 1 inch square bit of timber or metal to reinforce the attachment point.
Sometimes a 1/4 inch thick timber strip, since the plaster may be thicker.
Why are you using burlap?

John C Daley wrote:I have seen installed with flat head nails through a 1 inch square bit of timber or metal to reinforce the attachment point.
Sometimes a 1/4 inch thick timber strip, since the plaster may be thicker.

Did they then plaster over it? What sort of plaster?

I've been wondering the same thing, as I can get used coffee sacks for a very cheap price. I use them as mulch in the garden and in nest boxes for chickens and ducks with bedding on top. It makes the boxes easier to clean out, and adds much needed "browns" to my compost piles. (Chicken manure is very high in nitrogen.) I would *really* like to build a little potting shed. Would several layers of sacking plastered together help with rigidity the way plywood does? Plywood's really expensive and much poorer quality, not to mention the risk of off-gassing.

However, I'm in a really wet climate, so it has to be covered in such a way that it doesn't just go moldy.

Its painted on in layers.
The plaster dry powder is mixed with water to a paint consistency.
Lime powder may have also been used.

I don't have walls, just studs 2 ft on center, so my thought was to use the burlap as a surface to spread the plaster upon to build the wall.

Drywall is going to cost like $3000 for the whole house and it's really hard to find reclaimed wood within 4 hours of me that isn't molded/rotted.

Just trying to find a cheaper, and more sustainable option. The metal lathe for plaster is more $ than drywall per sq ft, but I haven't looked into the wood lathe yet.

Bridget,

So you would like the plaster to be suspended on the flexible burlap that would be attached to the studs? I don't think it would work. It would work with metal lath that is sufficiently rigid. Burlap would work if attached to a masonry wall - I saw such solution for some masonry heater builds that were plastered afterwards.

I would recommend checking this thread:

Light clay between studs

I know it's way more work, but you get some thermal mass and insulation, fire protection, acoustic improvement, vermin exclusion and at the end the surface that you can plaster.

Plaster is really heavy, not only wet when applied but also after it's cured. I have doubts that burlap can support the weight.

Bridget, I was using the term wall in the sense of a stud wall, sorry about the confusion.
Another tip, I insulate every wall internal or external it helps a lot.
Burlap and plaster will take a long time to complete.
I have use pallets, machinery crates and fence palings.

Where are you building, somebody else may be nearby and have something or an idea.

Pallet wood would be ideal, but you mentioned that salvaged wood is not a viable option.
  What kind of roundwood is available?
Split bamboo or reeds could be a used as lath.


I think petrified hessian/burlapcrete/Latex Concrete would make for a fine wall on its own.
By immersing it in / painting on a cement slurry , the cloth can become stiff .
Multiple layers  could be very strong.

How about wattle, with or without a daub/plaster?

I meant to hang fencing wire over the burlap--so the burlap stops it from going through the stud cavity, and the wire is more of the support of place of metal lathe.

A few years ago we took down old cattle fence on my property and so we have a bunch of high tensile and smaller gage wire left about. Was grown into the trees, thus a lot of cutting, therefore it's not very good for fencing anymore.

I should really look into wattle and daub.. thank you for reminding me of it's existence!! I have reeds and nettles available to me in mass quantities.

I am in South Dakota, US, so not many folks who are familiar with building in this alternative way. Frankly it's hard to even find conventional builders to come out! Most are booked til next spring for anything.

I am also open to filling the cavities with clay/cob type deal, as we have lots of clay and straw and I also like the idea of it's benefits. It had crossed my mind but the clay is down a steep hill, I am 6 months pregnant with a toddler and my husband is pretty busy with other work on our house/farm/his job. Woo!

Thanks for everyone's input. I'll keep updating as we go.