Little Chart Laths

Laths have being used in building ever since the demise of wattle and daub. Hardwood laths were used first, known for their longevity. It is these, in chestnut, which are produced in Little Chart, Kent.

The laths are handmade, using traditional tools to cleave the chestnut lengths along the grain to achieve a riven surface, ideal for plaster adhesion. The chestnut trees are coppiced in a 12 to 18 – year rotation within a forty acre wood owned by the manufacturer, Richard Brasier. After coppicing, the woodland regenerates so the whole operation is sustainable.

Bundles of 50 laths are produced in lengths of either 3 or 4 foot to coincide with the centre – to – points of posts or ceilings joists. One bundle of 3 foot laths covers approx. 1 1 metres square.

Sites supplied vary enormously, from a church ceiling in Kent to Birmingham town hall, Kings Cross Station, Fitzroy Square, Craven Street and Cambridge University.

Whilst Little Chart Laths is a small village business there is usually a good supply of laths in stock. Deliveries are free within southern England.