Patent Publication Number: US-9404269-B2

Title: Exterior wall assembly systems

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/842,329, filed on Mar. 13, 2013, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/666,128, filed Nov. 1, 2012, the contents of each are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to exterior wall assemblies. In particular, this invention relates to structures for securing lath, insulation, and/or intermediary sheeting in the multi-component construction of exterior walls with the purpose of improving water resistance, improving moisture egress, reducing thermal transfers, adapting wall assemblies to better receive insulation, and reducing labor costs associated with the construction of exterior walls. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     One of the purposes of the present invention is to overcome problems associated with securing lath to walls. In wall construction, plaster is traditionally applied to a flexible lath material. The sheathing material to which the lath is secured is usually lined with a moisture resistive barrier. The current method of fastening lath to sheathing is either with staples, nails or screws. These traditional methods of attaching the metal lath to the sheathing creates multiple penetrations of the moisture resistive barrier and can cause tearing of the barrier that compromises its water resistant purpose. 
     A furring strip is traditionally a strip of wood or metal fixed to a wall, floor, or ceiling to provide a surface for the fixing of furring (i.e. the backing surface such as drywall, lath, tiles, etc.). One function of furring strips is to add the function of creating an air space between the sheathing and the lath, which can serve the purpose of creating an air pocket to permit moisture to evaporate when it soaks through the exterior plaster system. 
     However, there are still problems with current furring strips. Such furring strips still create penetrations of the moisture barrier through which water can seep. Moreover, the attachment of the lath to the furring strip is labor intensive and difficult. Current methods of attaching the lath to the furring strips include using wire ties, staples, screws or nails that are interlaced with the lath and attachment holes on the furring strip. This can be very tedious and time consuming since several attachment points using wire ties, staples, screws or nails are needed to properly secure the lath to the furring strip so that it does not fall off the wall due the weight of the lath, after plaster is applied to it. Traditional metal furring strips have also been an unwanted source of thermal transfer from interior to exterior walls and vice versa. Conventional furring strips are also not designed to accommodate the latest insulation technologies or accommodate improved drainage planes within wall systems. 
     Therefore, there is a need to replace current furring strips and improve their attachment to the walls, and improve the way the lath is attach to the furring strips with an improved attachment strip design that: (1) minimizes and seals penetrations; (2) more easily permits the attachment of the lath to the wall without the use, and/or the optional use, of ties, staples, screws or nails or other extraneous attachment devices; (3) minimizes thermal transfers; (4) better accommodates drainage planes within walls; and (5) can better accommodate insulation technologies in various thicknesses. These improvements over existing technology are merely illustrative of the benefits of the present invention and are not intended to be an exhaustive list. One skilled in the art will recognize many other benefits of this new attachment strip and method over apparatus and methods used to attach lath to a wall in prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing, the present invention is directed to wall assembly system that includes: 1) an improved attachment strips that allow for quick installation of a lath without securing the lath directly to a wall or water resistive barrier/sheathing, thus reducing the number of punctured holes in a water resistive barrier/wall, thereby decreasing moisture penetration in plaster wall construction, 2) an air barrier between the lath and the moisture barrier that also improves water resistance by allowing water to drain in a vertical fashion down a wall, preventing moisture from accumulating within the wall, preventing water from migrating horizontally and entering penetration holes created by screws that secure the attachment strip to the wall and screw penetrations caused by other components mounted on the wall, and 3) An improved attachment strip is that also is designed to reduce thermal transfers and accommodate improved insulation techniques. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the invention comprises an attachment strip for attaching lath to a wall which has a mounting plate for placement of the attachment strip flush against the wall, a mounting device (such as a screw) for securing the mounting plate to the wall, an attachment plate that is substantially perpendicular to the mounting plate. There are a plurality of protruding teeth or prongs which extend from the vertical edge of the attachment plate. The lath is like a web that has a plurality of strands criss-crossing each other, which may be made of metal. In between the strands are spaces, and it is these spaces that the protruding teeth are inserted between, catch the lath and hold it in place, when a person installs the lath by placing the lath over the lath attachment strip having these teeth. An advantage of this type of lath attachment strip is that the lath is not directly secured to the wall, the water resistive barrier or the sheathing, rather the lath is attached to the lath attachment strip, and the lath attachment strip is secured to the wall via a mounting device such as a screw. Fewer mounting devices are needed to secure the lath attachment strip to the sheathing compared to attaching the lath directly to the wall, and since fewer mounting devices are needed, there are fewer penetrating holes created in the water resistive barrier/sheathing. Fewer penetrating holes means fewer locations where water can seep into the sheathing, thus improving the water resistive characteristics of the wall. It also means far less water resistive barrier remedial work must be done whereas currently caulks and sealants are used through out the wall surface to patch and repair penetrations and tears caused by the installation of the lath to the wall. Furthermore, when perpendicularly mounted cross channels (reglets, flashings and trims) are mounted they too benefit greatly from being mounted to attachment strip by, 1) riding on top of the attachment strip, and 2) being fastened to the attachment strip vs. the wall surface. Once again, fewer penetrations are made into the water resistive barrier. 
     When the protruding teeth are angled, where the tips of the teeth are pointed outward and upward, the lath can be placed on the lath attachment strip in a horizontal manner and then shifted downward such that the teeth overlap the webbing of the lath, and would prevent the lath from falling down unintentionally or falling off the lath attachment strip in a horizontal manner since the teeth would block the lath from being pulling in a purely horizontal manner. This creates a “self hanging” feature that is unique to the attachment strip. Instead of removing the lath in a purely horizontal direction, to remove the lath on an attachment strip where the teeth are pointed outward and upward, the lath would have to be shifted upward by a person to make the lath not overlap with the teeth, and then remove the lath horizontally. This method secures the lath to the wall, and stabilizes the lath on the lath attachment strip until it can be more securely attached to the lath attachment strip via the mounting devices. Furthermore, this attachment strip allows for the teeth to be hammered shut after the lath has been mounted thus eliminating the need for traditional mounting devices, such as staples, tie wires, screws and nails. 
     In another embodiment, instead of protruding teeth on the lath attachment strip, a series of spikes along the edge of the lath attachment strip may be used to secure the lath to the lath attachment strip, having individual spikes go through different parts of the webbing of the lath. 
     In still another embodiment, the lath attachment strip can be secured to the mounting plate via a lath attachment wire coupled at interspaced regions to the vertical edge of the attachment plate, forming a plurality of wire loops. These loops can be inserted within the holes of the mesh and folded over the strands of the mesh to secure the mesh to the attachment plate. The lath can also be secured to the attachment plate via clamps the secure the lath to the attachment. 
     In still another embodiment, the attachment strip includes a space located on the rear side of the attachment strip wherein foam core insulation is inserted. This provides extra water resistive characteristics when the lath is secured to the attachment strip after a mounting device secures the lath to the attachment strip. The same mounting device penetrates the foam core insulation layer before penetrating the sheathing. By locating the insulation layer adjacent to the penetration hole, the insulation layer blocks the entrance of water. Increased water resistive features also include using attachment strips with multiple sections and a long vertical leg that separates the multiply connected attachment strips. By having multiply connected attachment strips, one attachment strip can be secured to the sheathing, then a large piece of insulation can be placed on top of the attachment strip connected directly to the sheathing while the second connected attachment strip can be secured to the thick insulation without penetrating the sheathing. This is advantageous because it creates several layers of protection between the lath itself, and the sheathing with the penetration holes created by the mounting device. 
     There is provided a system for securing lath to a wall, the system comprising one or more framing members, a sheathing secured to the framing members, a water resistive barrier adjacent to the sheathing, a lath, an attachment strip for securing, an insulation layer between the attachment strip and the moisture resistive barrier, a mounting device that secures the lath, the attachment strip, the framing and sheathing together. The system also has outer layers of plaster coats, which can be a scratch coat, a brown coat, and a finishing coat. To further increase water resistive properties of the system, the attachment strip can have multiple portions having different heights. This allows for an increased space between the lath and the sheathing, where an insulation layer can be placed, and which further prevents water from seeping in from the out layers of the system into the sheathing. This extra space also creates an air barrier/water drainage region, which allows for water to migrate down a wall, instead of into the sheathing. 
     In another embodiment, there are provided two water resistive barriers, a first water resistive barrier attached to the sheathing, and a second water resistive barrier adjacent to the lath. Between the first and second water resistive barriers is the air barrier/water drainage region, the air barrier created by the depth of the attachment strip. Any moisture that enters from the outside wall through the lath and into the second water resistive barrier would be prevented from seeping back to the outer wall, and also be prevented from seeping further into the inner walls by the first water resistive barrier on the sheathing. The air barrier/water drainage region provides a vertical escape route for any moisture that enters the air barrier/water drainage space. 
     In still a further embodiment, there is provided gaps or spaces between sheets of water resistive barriers adjacent to the lath. These water resistive barriers run vertical on a lath when placed on a wall, and the vertical spaces between each sheet of the water resistive barrier allow wet stucco to seep through the spaces in the lath and contact the inner wall or sheathing directly, without being blocked by the water resistive barrier. When the plaster reaches the inner wall through the spaces between the sheets of the water resistive barriers, they create additional support in the form a vertical plaster rib or a vertical line of smaller openings (e.g. holes) that helps prevent bowing of the plaster wall between the attachment strips. To further aid in keying, the water resistive barrier does not cover the attachment strip so that when the wet plaster is applied, the attachment strips are encased with plaster. 
     In still a further embodiment an attachment strip with an open space to allow the wet plaster to integrate and key with the strip has return legs that, 1) have minimal contact with the water resistive barrier/sheathing which further reduces thermal transfer, 2) the return legs are radiused metal that create a soft touch feature as not to dig-in or tear the water resistive barrier, and 3) are designed to create a gasket like seal, vertically on both sides of the screw feature to protect the screw penetration from water intrusion. Furthermore, the return legs control horizontal water migration by keeping water controlled within the vertical stud bay, and allowing it to escape only vertically to the bottom of the wall. 
     In still a further embodiment of an attachment strip, the attachment strip has an insulation plate for transecting insulation panels. Projecting from the insulation plate is a mounting flange on one edge, and a retention flange on the opposite edge, the mounting flange and retention flange extending in substantially parallel but opposite directions. One piece of insulation panel fits against one side of the insulation plate and a second piece of insulation panel fits against the other side of the insulation plate. An insulation retention arm projects away one side of the insulation plate to hold (by piercing or other method) an insulation panel when an insulation panel pressed against the retention arm and insulation plate by an installer. The retention flange and insulation retention arm assist in retaining insulation on both sides of the insulation plate. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and various other objects and advantages of the invention will be described and understood from the following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, the same being illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1 a    is a perspective view of an attachment strip having slanted teeth. 
         FIG. 1 b    is a perspective view of an attachment strip having slanted teeth assembled with a lath. 
         FIG. 1 c    is a front view of an attachment strip having slanted. 
         FIG. 1 d    is a side view of an attachment strip having slanted teeth. 
         FIG. 1 e    is a top view of an attachment strip having slanted teeth. 
         FIG. 2 a    is a perspective view of an attachment strip having rectangular teeth. 
         FIG. 2 b    is a perspective view of an attachment strip having rectangular teeth assembled with a lath. 
         FIG. 2 c    is a front view of an attachment strip having rectangular teeth. 
         FIG. 2 d    is a side view of an attachment strip having rectangular teeth. 
         FIG. 2 e    is a top view of an attachment strip having rectangular teeth. 
         FIG. 3 a    is a perspective view of an attachment strip having rectangular notched teeth. 
         FIG. 3 b    is a perspective view of an attachment strip having rectangular notched teeth assembled with a lath. 
         FIG. 3 c    is a front view of an attachment strip having rectangular notched teeth. 
         FIG. 3 d    is a side view of an attachment strip having rectangular notched teeth. 
         FIG. 3 e    is a top view of an attachment strip having rectangular notched teeth. 
         FIG. 4 a    is a perspective view of an attachment strip having rectangular double notched teeth to secure a lath. 
         FIG. 4 b    is a perspective view of an attachment strip having rectangular double notched teeth assembled with a lath. 
         FIG. 4 c    is a front view of an attachment strip having rectangular double notched teeth. 
         FIG. 4 d    is a side view of an attachment strip having rectangular double notched teeth. 
         FIG. 4 e    is a top view of an attachment strip having rectangular double notched teeth. 
         FIG. 5 a    is a perspective view of an attachment strip having curved teeth. 
         FIG. 5 b    is a perspective view of an attachment strip having curved teeth assembled with a lath. 
         FIG. 5 c    is a front view of an attachment strip having curved teeth. 
         FIG. 5 d    is a side view of an attachment strip having curved teeth. 
         FIG. 5 e    is a top view of an attachment strip having curved teeth. 
         FIG. 6 a    is a perspective view of an attachment strip having teeth on a teeth plate. 
         FIG. 6 b    is a perspective view of an attachment strip having teeth on teeth plate assembled with a lath. 
         FIG. 6 c    is a front view of an attachment strip having teeth on a teeth plate. 
         FIG. 6 d    is a side view of an attachment strip having teeth on a teeth plate. 
         FIG. 6 e    is a top view of an attachment strip having teeth on a teeth plate. 
         FIG. 7 a    is a perspective view of an attachment strip having prongs. 
         FIG. 7 b    is a perspective view of an attachment strip having prongs assembled with a lath. 
         FIG. 7 c    is a front view of an attachment strip having prongs. 
         FIG. 7 d    is a side view of an attachment strip having prongs. 
         FIG. 7 e    is a top view of an attachment strip having prongs. 
         FIG. 8 a    is a perspective view of an attachment strip having a metal foldable lath securing wire. 
         FIG. 8 b    is a perspective view of an attachment strip having a metal foldable lath securing wire assembled with a lath. 
         FIG. 8 c    is a front view of an attachment strip having a metal foldable lath securing wire. 
         FIG. 8 d    is a side view of an attachment strip having a metal foldable lath securing wire. 
         FIG. 8 e    is a top view of an attachment strip having a metal foldable lath securing wire. 
         FIG. 9 a    is a perspective view of an attachment strip having a series of small rectangular teeth. 
         FIG. 9 b    is a perspective view of an attachment strip having a series of small rectangular teeth assembled with a lath. 
         FIG. 9 c    is a front view of an attachment strip having a series of small rectangular teeth. 
         FIG. 9 d    is a side view of an attachment strip having a series of small rectangular teeth. 
         FIG. 9 e    is a top view of an attachment strip having a series of small rectangular teeth. 
         FIG. 10 a    is a perspective view of an attachment strip having a series of small rectangular hooked teeth. 
         FIG. 10 b    is a perspective view of an attachment strip having a series of small rectangular hooked teeth assembled with a lath. 
         FIG. 10 c    is a front view of an attachment strip having a series of small rectangular hooked teeth. 
         FIG. 10 d    is a side view of an attachment strip having a series of small rectangular hooked teeth. 
         FIG. 10 e    is a top view of an attachment strip having a series of small rectangular hooked teeth. 
         FIG. 11 a    is a perspective view of an attachment strip having C-clamps. 
         FIG. 11 b    is a perspective view of an attachment strip having C-clamps assembled with a lath. 
         FIG. 11 c    is a front view of an attachment strip having C-clamps. 
         FIG. 11 d    is a side view of an attachment strip having C-clamps. 
         FIG. 11 e    is a top view of an attachment strip having C-clamps. 
         FIG. 12 a    is a perspective view of a trapezoidal attachment strip having teeth. 
         FIG. 12 b    is a perspective view of a trapezoidal attachment strip having teeth assembled with a lath. 
         FIG. 12 c    is a front view of a trapezoidal attachment strip having teeth. 
         FIG. 12 d    is a side view of a trapezoidal attachment strip having teeth. 
         FIG. 12 e    is a top view of a trapezoidal attachment strip having teeth. 
         FIG. 13 a    is a perspective view of a triangular attachment strip having C-clamps. 
         FIG. 13 b    is a perspective view of a triangular attachment strip having C-clamps assembled with a lath. 
         FIG. 13 c    is a front view of a triangular attachment strip having C-clamps. 
         FIG. 13 d    is a side view of a triangular attachment strip having C-clamps. 
         FIG. 13 e    is a top view of a triangular attachment strip having C-clamps. 
         FIG. 14 a    is a perspective view of a trapezoidal attachment strip with teeth for use with cylindrical insulation. 
         FIG. 14 b    is a perspective view of a trapezoidal attachment strip with teeth for use with cylindrical insulation assembled with a lath. 
         FIG. 14 c    is a front view of a trapezoidal attachment strip with teeth for use with cylindrical insulation. 
         FIG. 14 d    is a side view of a trapezoidal attachment strip with teeth for use with cylindrical insulation. 
         FIG. 14 e    is a top view of a trapezoidal attachment strip with teeth for use with cylindrical insulation. 
         FIG. 15  is a top view of an attachment strip for use with cylindrical insulation. 
         FIG. 16  is a top view of an attachment strip for use on an inside corner with cylindrical insulation. 
         FIG. 17  is a top view of an attachment strip for use on an outside corner with two cylindrical insulation pieces. 
         FIG. 18  is a top view of an attachment strip for use on an inside corner with two cylindrical insulation pieces. 
         FIG. 19  is a top view of an attachment strip integrated with a channel screed and two cylindrical insulation pieces. 
         FIG. 20  is a side view of an attachment strip assembled with a lath and insulation to a wall using two screws. 
         FIG. 21  is a side view of an attachment strip assembled with a lath and insulation to a wall using a single screw. 
         FIG. 22 a    is a perspective view of a U-shaped attachment strip having a lath securing wire traversing through attachment holes. 
         FIG. 22 b    is a perspective view of a U-shaped attachment strip having a lath securing wire traversing through attachment holes assembled with a lath. 
         FIG. 22 c    is front view of a U-shaped attachment strip designed for having a lath securing wire traversing through attachment holes to secure a lath to the attachment strip. 
         FIG. 22 d    is side view of a U-shaped attachment strip designed for having a lath securing wire traversing through attachment holes to secure a lath to the attachment strip. 
         FIG. 22 e    is top view of a U-shaped attachment strip designed for having a lath securing wire traversing through attachment holes to secure a lath to the attachment strip. 
         FIG. 22 f    is cross sectional view of a U-shaped attachment strip having a lath securing wire traversing through attachment holes assembled with a lath. 
         FIG. 23 a    is a perspective view of a U-shaped attachment strip with teeth. 
         FIG. 23 b    is a perspective view of a U-shaped attachment strip having teeth assembled with an attachment strip around cylindrical insulation. 
         FIG. 23 c    is a front view of a U-shaped attachment strip having teeth. 
         FIG. 23 d    is a side view of a U-shaped attachment strip having teeth. 
         FIG. 23 e    is a top view of a U-shaped attachment strip having teeth assembled with cylindrical insulation and screwed to a wall. 
         FIG. 24  is a side view of a non-overlapping double U-shaped attachment strip assembled with lath, insulation and two screws. 
         FIG. 25  is a side view of an overlapping double U-shaped attachment assembled with lath, insulation, and a single screw. 
         FIG. 26 a    is a top view of an attachment strip having a curved protrusion tooth to grasp a lath. 
         FIG. 26 b    is a perspective view of an attachment strip having a curved protrusion tooth to grasp a lath. 
         FIG. 26 c    is a perspective view of an attachment strip having a curved protrusion tooth angled approximately 70 degrees from the vertical plane of the attachment strip. 
         FIG. 26 d    is a perspective view of attachment strip having a curved protrusion tooth bent in to secure a lath. 
         FIG. 27 a    is a perspective view of a system for securing a lath to a wall having a water drainage region. 
         FIG. 27 b    is a top view of a system for securing a lath to a wall having a water drainage region. 
         FIG. 27 c    is an exploded view of a system for securing lath to a wall with a having a water drainage region. 
         FIG. 28  is an exploded view of a system for securing lath to a wall with a Z shaped attachment strip to provide a spaced region for increasing water drainage. 
         FIG. 29 a    is a top view of a system for attaching lath to a wall with separated water resistive paper to allow plaster to migrate from a lath to a wall. 
         FIG. 29 b    is a top view of a system for attaching lath to a wall with separated water resistive paper and plaster applied that forms a plaster layer on top of a lath and keys to a wall. 
         FIG. 29 c    is a top view of a system for applying plaster to a wall without separated water resistive barriers. 
         FIG. 30  is a perspective view of a system for securing lath to a wall with a Z-shaped attachment strip to provide for recued thermal transfer by having cut-out sections. 
         FIG. 31 a    is a perspective view of an attachment strip having an insulation retention arm assembled with two insulation panels. 
         FIG. 31 b    is a front view of an attachment strip having an insulation retention arm flush with the insulation plate, assembled with a first insulation panel not yet retained by the insulation retention arm. 
         FIG. 31 c    is a front view of an attachment strip having an insulation retention arm projecting into a first piece of insulation after the insulation retention arm has been hammered out to retain the first insulation panel. 
         FIG. 31 d    is a front view of an attachment strip having an insulation retention arm projecting from the insulation plate. 
         FIG. 31 e    is a side view of an attachment strip having an insulation retention arm projecting from the insulation plate. 
         FIG. 31 f    is a top view of an attachment strip having an insulation retention arm projecting from the insulation plate. 
         FIG. 31 g    is a front view of an attachment strip having a hooked insulation retention arm. 
         FIG. 32 a    is a perspective view of an attachment strip having an insulation retention arm and lath retention arms, assembled with two insulation panels. 
         FIG. 32 b    is a front view of an attachment strip having lath retention arms and an insulation retention arm flush with the insulation plate, assembled with a first insulation panel not yet retained by the insulation retention arm. 
         FIG. 32 c    is a front view of an attachment strip having lath retention arms, and an insulation retention arm projecting into a first insulation panel after the insulation retention arm has been hammered out to retain the first piece insulation panel. 
         FIG. 32 d    is a front view of an attachment strip having lath retention arms and an insulation retention arm projecting from the insulation plate. 
         FIG. 32 e    is a side view of an attachment strip having lath retention arms and an insulation retention arm projecting from the insulation plate. 
         FIG. 32 f    is a top view of an attachment strip having lath retention arms and an insulation retention arm projecting from the insulation plate. 
         FIG. 33 a    is a perspective view of an attachment strip having a retention flange aperture and an insulation retention arm, assembled with two insulation panels. 
         FIG. 33 b    is a front view of an attachment strip having a retention flange aperture, and an insulation retention arm flush with the insulation plate, and first insulation panel not yet been retained by the insulation retention arm. 
         FIG. 33 c    is a front view of an attachment strip having a retention flange aperture and an insulation retention arm projecting into a first insulation panel, after the insulation retention arm has been hammered out to retain the first piece of insulation. 
         FIG. 33 d    is a front view of an attachment strip having a retention flange aperture and an insulation retention arm projecting from the insulation plate. 
         FIG. 33 e    is a side view of an attachment strip having a retention flange aperture and an insulation retention arm projecting from the insulation plate. 
         FIG. 33 f    is a top view of an attachment strip having a retention flange aperture and an insulation retention arm projecting from the insulation plate. 
         FIG. 34 a    is a perspective view of an attachment strip having lath retention arms, a retention flange aperture, and an insulation retention arm assembled with two insulation panels. 
         FIG. 34 b    is a front view of an attachment strip having lath retention arms, a retention flange aperture, and an insulation retention arm not yet retaining a first insulation panel. 
         FIG. 34 c    is a front view of an attachment strip having lath retention arms, a retention flange aperture, and an insulation retention arm projecting into a first insulation panel after the insulation retention arm has been hammered out to retain the first insulation panel. 
         FIG. 34 d    is a front view of an attachment strip having lath retention arms, a retention flange aperture, and an insulation retention arm projecting from the insulation plate. 
         FIG. 34 e    is a side view of an attachment strip having lath retention arms, a retention flange aperture, and an insulation retention arm projecting from the insulation plate. 
         FIG. 34 f    is a top view of an attachment strip having lath retention arms, a retention flange aperture, and an insulation retention arm. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following description is of the best-contemplated mode of carrying out the invention. This description is made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention and should not be taken in a limiting sense. The scope of the invention is best determined by reference to the appended claims. Preferable embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the  FIGS. 1-30 . 
       FIGS. 1 a - e    depicts an embodiment of an attachment strip  10  having teeth able to secure a lath to the attachment strip without the use of any separate attachment device. The attachment strip  10  has a mounting plate  12  that secures the attachment strip  10  to a wall  28  via a screw  26  that enters the mounting plate  12  via a mounting plate screw hole  16 . The mounting plate  12  has additional holes  14  for securing the mounting plate  12  to a wall, as well as keying holes  20  where plaster can seep into and bond the lath  25  to the attachment strip  10 . Extending substantially perpendicular from mounting plate  12  is an attachment plate  18 . Extending angularly from the attachment plate  18  is a protrusion plate  22  having a series of protrusion teeth  24  to secure a lath  25 . The protrusion teeth  24  are formed by a series of diagonal separations originating from the top edge  27  of the protrusion plate  22  toward the attachment plate  18 . The separated top edges  27  of the protrusion plate  22  is angled toward the plane of the attachment plate  18 , which forms the series of angled protrusion teeth  24  substantially planar with the attachment plate  18 . 
     The lath  25  can be secured to the attachment strip  10  by placing the protrusion teeth  24  in the lath spaces  33  and shifting the lath  25 , once inserted onto the protrusion teeth  24  such that the lath  25  stays in place, and cannot be pulled from the attachment strip  10  except by manually shifting the lath  25  upward by the lath installer. 
       FIGS. 2 a - e    illustrates various perspectives of another embodiment of an attachment strip having teeth to secure a lath  62  to an attachment strip  40 . The attachment strip  40  has a mounting plate  42  that secures the attachment strip  40  to a wall  70  via a screw  68  that enters the mounting plate  42  via a mounting plate screw hole  46 . The mounting plate has addition holes  44  for securing the mounting plate  12  to a wall. Extending substantially perpendicular from mounting plate  42  is an attachment plate  48 . The attachment plate has a series of protrusion teeth  56 . The protrusion teeth  56  are rectangular and extend substantially in the same plane as the attachment plate  48 . The rectangular protruding tooth  56  has a top edge  54  and bottom edge  58 , each of which may be straight, curved, or have recesses within the edges  54 ,  58 . 
     The lath  62  can be secured to the attachment strip  40  by placing the protrusion teeth  56  in the lath spaces  64 . This placement allows that lath  62  to rest on the protrusion teeth  56  without falling off of the attachment strip  40 . The lath  62  can be more securely attached to the attachment strip  40  when wet plaster is placed on the lath  99  and seeps through the lath spaces  64  and into one or more keying holes  100 . This allows the plaster to mechanically bond the lath  99  to the attachment plate  90  via a keying hole  100 . 
       FIGS. 3 a - e    illustrates various perspectives of another embodiment of an attachment strip  80  having teeth to secure a lath  99  to an attachment strip  80 . The attachment strip  80  has a mounting plate  82  that secures the attachment strip  80  to a wall  102  via a screw  88  that enters the mounting plate  82  via a mounting plate screw hole  86 . The mounting plate  82  has additional holes  84  for securing the mounting plate  82  to the wall. Extending substantially perpendicular from mounting plate  82  is an attachment plate  90 . The attachment plate  90  has a series of protrusion teeth  94 . The protrusion teeth  94  are rectangular and extend substantially in the same plane as the attachment plate  90 . Each protrusion tooth  94  has a top edge  92  and a bottom edge with a recessed notch  96  where the lath  99  can rest when the lath hole  98  inserted over the protrusion tooth  94 . 
     The lath  99  can be secured to the attachment strip  80  by placing the protrusion teeth  94  in the lath spaces  98 . This placement allows that lath  99  to rest on the protrusion teeth  94  without falling off of the attachment strip  80 , and cannot easily pulled off of the attachment strip  80  because the lath  99  is nestled in the notch protrusion  96  which would prevent the lath from being pulled off horizontally from the attachment strip  80 . In order for the lath  99  to be taken off of the attachment strip  80 , the installer would have to lift the lath  99  vertically so that the metal on the lath  99  is not within the notched region  96 . Only then could the lath be removed by pulling the lath  99  horizontally away from the attachment strip  80 . 
       FIGS. 4 a - e    illustrates various perspectives of another embodiment of an attachment strip  110  having teeth to secure a lath  130  to an attachment strip  110 . The attachment strip  110  has a mounting plate  112  that secures the attachment strip  100  to a wall  134  via a screw  115  that enters the mounting plate  112  via a mounting plate screw hole  116 . The mounting plate  112  has additional holes  114  for securing the mounting plate  112  to the wall. Extending substantially perpendicular from mounting plate  112  is an attachment plate  120 . The attachment plate  120  has a series of protrusion teeth  124 . The protrusion teeth  124  are rectangular and extend substantially in the same plane as the attachment plate  120 . Each protrusion tooth  124  has a top edge  122  and a bottom edge having a recessed region shown as a first notch  126  and second notch  128  where the lath  130  can rest when the lath hole  132  is inserted over the protrusion tooth  124 . 
     The lath  130  can be secured to the attachment strip  110  by placing the protrusion teeth  124  in the lath spaces  132 . This placement allows that lath  130  to rest on the protrusion teeth  124  without falling off of the attachment strip  110 , and cannot easily pulled off of the attachment strip  100  because the lath  130  is nestled in either the first notched  126  or second notch  128  on the protrusion teeth  124  which would prevent the lath  130  from being pulled off horizontally from the attachment strip  110 . In order for the lath  130  to be taken off of the attachment strip  110 , the installer would have to lift the lath  130  vertically so that the metal on the lath  130  is no longer within each notched region  126 ,  128 . Only then could the lath be removed by pulling the lath  99  horizontally away from the attachment strip  80 . 
       FIGS. 5 a - e    illustrates various perspectives of another embodiment of an attachment strip  130  having teeth to secure a lath  146  to an attachment strip  130 . The attachment strip  130  has a mounting plate  132  that secures the attachment strip  130  to a wall  154  via a screw  152  that enters the mounting plate  136  via a mounting plate screw hole  136 . The mounting plate  132  has additional holes  134  for securing the mounting plate  132  to the wall. Extending substantially perpendicular from mounting plate  132  is an attachment plate  138 . The attachment plate  138  has a series of hooked crescent-like shaped teeth  142 . The hooked crescent-like shaped teeth  142  are substantially in the same plane as the attachment plate  138 . Each hooked crescent-like shaped tooth  142  has a notch  150  that can secure a lath  146 . The lath  146  is placed over the hooked crescent-like shaped teeth  142  so that the hooked crescent-liked shaped teeth go through a lath space  148 . The lath  146  rests in the notch  150  and cannot be pulled away from the attachment strip  130  once placed onto the crescent-like shaped teeth  142 , and can only be removed from the attachment strip  130  if lifted vertically up and out of the notch  150 , and then pulled away from the last attachment strip  130 . The attachment plate  138  has a series of holes  140  where the lath  146  can be additionally secured to the attachment strip  130 . Once plaster is placed on the lath  146 , the plaster keys on the lath and attachment holes  140  to secure the lath  146  to the attachment strip  130 . 
       FIGS. 6 a - e    illustrates various perspectives of another embodiment of an attachment strip  160  having teeth to secure a lath  182  to an attachment strip  160 . The attachment strip  160  has a mounting plate  162  that secures the attachment strip  160  to a wall  184  via a screw  168  that enters the mounting plate  162  via a mounting plate screw hole  166 . The mounting plate  162  has additional holes  164  for securing the mounting plate  162  to the wall. Extending substantially perpendicular from mounting plate  162  is an attachment plate  172 . The attachment plate  172  has a series of attachment holes  170  to aid in keying plaster once it has been applied to the lath  182 . Extending substantially perpendicular from the attachment plate  172  is a pronged tooth plate  174  having a series of triangular-shaped pronged teeth  176 . Each pronged tooth  176  has a notch  178  to further grasp the lath  160 . Each pronged tooth  176  is formed from a cut-out from the pronged tooth plate  174  and extends away from the plane formed by the pronged tooth plate  174 . A lath  182  can be secured to the attachment strip  160  by placing the lath  182  over the pronged teeth  176  such that the pronged teeth  180  hold the lath in place when the lath  182  is shifted down in between the space created by the protruding pronged tooth  180  and the pronged tooth plate  174 . This prevents the lath  182  from falling off of the attachment strip  160 , and an only be removed when the installer lifts the lath  182  up out of the pronged tooth  180  space on the pronged tooth plate  174 . The attachment plate  172  has a series of attachment holes  170  where the lath  146  can be additionally secured to the attachment strip  130  with an attachment device, and also aids in keying the plaster to the lath  182  and attachment strip  160 . 
       FIGS. 7 a - e    depict various perspectives of another embodiment of an attachment strip  190  having pronged spikes  206  to secure a lath  208  to an attachment strip  190 . The attachment strip  190  has a mounting plate  192  that secures the attachment strip  190  to a wall  210  via a screw  198  that enters the mounting plate  192  via a mounting plate screw hole  198 . The mounting plate  192  has additional holes  164  for securing the mounting plate  192  to the wall. Extending substantially perpendicular from mounting plate  192  is an attachment plate  202 . The attachment plate  202  has a series of holes  200  to aid in keying plaster once it has been applied to the lath  182 . Extending outward from the attachment strip and attachment plate  202  are a series of multipronged spikes  206 , which form the tooth, and are physically attached to the attachment plate  202  by a welding attachment  204 . The pronged spikes  206  are spaced such that when the lath  208  is pressed horizontally, substantially in the same plane as the mounting plate  192 , the pronged spikes  206  surround the lath  208  at several places in close proximity to each other, thereby preventing the lath from falling off of the attachment strip. Plaster is placed on the lath  208  and attachment holes  200  on the attachment plate aid in keying the plaster to the lath  208  and attachment plate  202 . The set-up has the advantage of preventing the lath  208  from moving vertically off of the attachment strip  190  and can only be removed when the installer pulls the lath  208  horizontally away from the pronged spikes  206 . 
       FIGS. 8 a - e    illustrate various perspectives of another embodiment of an attachment strip  210 , this attachment strip  210  lath securing wire  222  to secure a lath  224  to an attachment strip  210 . The attachment strip  210  has a mounting plate  212  that secures the attachment strip  210  to a wall  226  via a screw  224  that enters the mounting plate  212  via a mounting plate screw hole  216 . The mounting plate  210  has additional holes  214  for securing the mounting plate  210  to the wall. Extending substantially perpendicular from mounting plate  212  is an attachment plate  218 . The attachment plate  218  has a vertical edge  221  where a lath securing wire  222  is substantially in the same plane as the attachment plate  218 . The securing wire  222  is fastened to the attachment plate  218  at several welded points  223 , and between each welded point  223  the securing wire  223  extends beyond the vertical edge  221  of the attachment plate  218  and then back toward the vertical edge  221  of the attachment plate  218 . The attachment plate  218  has a series of attachment holes  220  to aid in keying plaster once the plaster has been applied to the lath  224 . To secure the lath  224  to the attachment strip  210 , the securing wire  222  is folded in between the spaces  227  of the lath  224  and against the metal on the lath  224 . This secures the lath at several points thereby preventing the lath from moving vertically or horizontally from the attachment strip  210 . 
       FIGS. 9 a - e    illustrates various perspectives of another embodiment of an attachment strip  230  having teeth to secure a lath  246  to an attachment strip  230 . The attachment strip  230  has a mounting plate  232  that secures the attachment strip  230  to a wall  248  via a screw  238  that enters the mounting plate  232  via a mounting plate screw hole  236 . The mounting plate  232  has additional holes  234  for securing the mounting plate  232  to the wall. Extending substantially perpendicular from mounting plate  244  is an attachment plate  244 . The attachment plate  244  has a series of protrusion teeth  240 . The protrusion teeth  240  are rectangular and extend substantially in the same plane as the attachment plate  244 . The attachment plate  244  has a series of attachment holes  242  to aid in keying the plaster once it has been placed on the lath  246  and attachment plate  244 . The protrusion teeth  240  are narrowly spaced from each other such that when the lath  246  is pressed toward the plane of the mounting plate  230 , the metal all on the lath becomes wedged between the protrusion teeth  240 . This placement stabilizes the lath  246  on the attachment strip  230  such that the lath  246  cannot easily fall off the attachment strip  230 . In order to remove the lath  246  from the attachment strip  230 , the installer would have to pull the attachment strip horizontally away from the attachment strip  230 . 
       FIGS. 10 a - e    illustrates various perspectives of another embodiment of an attachment strip  250  having teeth to secure a lath  262  to an attachment strip  250 . The attachment strip  250  has a mounting plate  252  that secures the attachment strip  250  to a wall  268  via a screw  266  that enters the mounting plate  252  via a mounting plate screw hole  256 . The mounting plate  252  has additional holes  254  for securing the mounting plate  252  to the wall. Extending substantially perpendicular from mounting plate  252  is an attachment plate  258 . The attachment plate  258  has a series of protrusion teeth  262  with a hook  263 . The protrusion teeth  262  are rectangular in shape and extend substantially in the same plane as the attachment plate  258 . The attachment plate  258  has a series of attachment holes  260  to aid in keying the plaster once the plaster has been placed on the lath  264  and attachment plate  258 . The protrusion teeth  262  are narrowly spaced from each other such that when the lath  264  is pressed toward the plane of the mounting plate  252 , the metal all on the lath becomes wedged between the protrusion teeth  262 . When the lath  264  is pressed into the spaces between the protrusion teeth  262 , the lath  264  becomes wedged in the attachment strip  250 . The lath  264  is prevented from falling off of the attachment strip because the lath  264  is wedged within the protrusion teeth  262 , and additionally, the hooks  263  on the protrusion teeth  262  also make it more unlikely that the lath  264  would fall off the attachment strip  250  without the installer physically pulling the lath  264  away form the attachment strip  250  to pry the lath  262  off of protrusion teeth  262  having hooks  263 . 
       FIGS. 11 a - e    illustrates various perspectives of another embodiment of an attachment strip  270 , this attachment strip  270  having C-clamps secure a lath  288  to an attachment strip  270 . The attachment strip  270  has a mounting plate  272  that secures the attachment strip  270  to a wall  290  via a screw  278  that enters the mounting plate  272  via a mounting plate screw hole  276 . The mounting plate has keying holes  282  for plaster to key to, which bonds the lath  284  to the attachment plate  280 . Extending substantially perpendicular from mounting plate  272  is an attachment plate  280 . The attachment plate  280  has a series of c-clamp holes  286  near the top edge of the attachment plate  280 . A series of C-clamps  284  secures the lath  288  to the attachment plate  280 . The C-clamps  284  are not a closed structure. There is a space in the C-clamp that allows the C-clamp to surround a portion of the lath  288  and couple the lath  288  to the attachment plate  280  by having the open ends of the C-clamp  284  go through the C-clamp holes  286 . The C-clamps  284  may be squeezed such that the open space in each C-clamp  284  is reduced, thereby preventing the lath  284  from being easily being removed from the attachment strip  270  either by falling off of the attachment strip  270  or even when pulled away from the attachment strip  270 . The attachment plate  280  has a series of attachment holes  282  to aid in keying the plaster once the plaster has been placed on the lath  288  and attachment plate  280 . 
       FIGS. 12 a - e    illustrates various perspectives of another embodiment of an attachment strip  300  having pronged teeth  306  to secure a lath  311  to an attachment strip  300 . The attachment strip  300  has two mounting plates  302  substantially in the same plane that can be secured to a wall  312  with one or more mounting devices  310 . Extending substantially perpendicular, or obtusely from each mounting plate  302  are two side attachment plates  304 , and connected each side attachment plate  304  is a front attachment plate  312  substantially parallel to the mounting plates  302 . The side attachment plates  304  and front attachment plate  312  are configured to form a trapezoidal shape for the attachment strip  300 . On the front attachment plate  312  are a series of triangular shaped pronged teeth  306 , each formed from a cut portion from the front attachment plate  312 , and the pronged tooth  306  is bent an angle such that the point of the tooth extends out from the plane formed by the front attachment plate  312 . In between each pronged tooth  306  are mounting holes  308  where a screw  310  can be inserted through the mounting hole  308  and into a wall  312 . The side attachment plates  304  have a series of holes to aid in keying plaster once the plaster has been applied to the lath  311 . The lath  311  can be secured to the attachment strip  300  by placing the lath  311  over the pronged teeth  306  such that the pronged teeth  306  hold the lath in place when the lath  311  is shifted in a downward direction and rests in between the pronged teeth  306  and the front attachment plate  312 . This arrangement prevents the lath  311  from falling off of the attachment strip  300 , and the lath  311  can only be removed when the installer lifts the lath  311  upwards out of the notched region formed the pronged teeth  306  and the front attachment plate  312 . The two attachment plates  304  and pronged tooth plate  304  form three walls of an insulating region  305  (the framing/sheathing forming the fourth wall), where insulation can be inserted within the attachment strip  300 . 
       FIGS. 13 a - e    illustrates various perspectives of another embodiment of an attachment strip  320 , the attachment strip  320  having C-clamps  330  secure a lath  334  to an attachment strip  320 . The attachment strip  320  has two mounting plates  322  that can be secured to a wall  338  via a screw  336  inserted through a mounting plate screw hole  328 . Extending obtusely from each mounting plate  322  are two side attachment plates  324  that form that connect to each other at a point, forming an open triangular shaped attachment strip  320 . The side attachment plates  324  have a series of attachment holes  326  where C-clamps can secure a lath  334  to the attachment strip  320 . The C-clamps  330  are an open structure, i.e. there here is a space in the C-clamp  330  that allows the C-clamp  330  wrap around the mesh of the lath  334  through the open spaces of the lath  334  and then secure the lath  334  to the attachment strip  320  by inserting the C-clamp  330  through the attachment holes  326 . Once the lath  330  is secured by the C-clamps  330  The C-clamps  330  may be squeezed such that the open space in each C-clamp  330  is reduced, thereby preventing the lath  334  from being easily being removed from the attachment strip  320  either by falling off of the attachment strip  320  or even when pulled away from the attachment strip  320 . 
       FIGS. 14 a - e    illustrates various perspectives of another embodiment of an attachment strip  340  having pronged teeth  358  to secure a lath  360  to an attachment strip  340 . The attachment strip  340  has two mounting plates  342  that can be secured to a wall  354  with a mounting device such as a screw  350 ,  352 . Extending obtusely from each mounting plate  342  are two side attachment plates  346 , and connected to each side attachment plate  346  is a front attachment plate  347  substantially parallel to the mounting plates  344 . The side attachment plates  346  and front attachment plate  347  are configured to form a trapezoidal shaped attachment strip  340 . On the front attachment plate  347  are a series of triangular shaped pronged teeth  358 , each formed from a cut portion from the front attachment plate  347 . The pronged tooth  358  is bent an angle such that the point of the tooth extends out from the plane formed by the front attachment plate  347 . The base of the triangular shaped pronged tooth  358  extends is on the edge of the pronged tooth hole  349 . The pronged tooth hole  349  circumscribes the pronged tooth  358 , which extends out from the plane formed by the front attachment plate  347 . The pronged tooth hole  349  aids in keying the plaster to the lath  360  and attachment strip  340  since the plaster, when wet, molds itself into the pronged tooth hole  349 , providing extra connection support when the plaster keys. The side attachment plates  360  have a series of attachment holes  360  to aid in keying plaster once the plaster has been applied to the lath  360 . The lath  360  can be secured to the attachment strip  340  by placing the lath  360  over the pronged teeth  358  such that the pronged teeth  358  hold the lath in place when the lath  360  is shifted in a downward direction and rests in between the pronged teeth  358  and the front attachment plate  347 . This arrangement prevents the lath  360  from falling off of the attachment strip  340 , and the lath  360  can only be removed when the installer lifts the lath  360  upwards out of the notched region formed the pronged teeth  358  and the front attachment plate  347 . In between each pronged tooth  358  and pronged tooth hole  349  are attachment plate mounting holes  348  where a screw wall mounting screw  352  can be inserted through the attachment plate mounting hole  348 , through insulation  356 , and mount the lath  360 , attachment strip  340  to the wall  354 . By using a piece of insulation that fits into the trapezoidal shaped attachment strip  340 , an barrier is created that prevents seepage of water from the lath  360  into a hole created by the screw  352  into the wall  354 . As the attachment strip  340  is secured to the wall  354 , the insulation  356  is squeezed into any holes created by the penetration, thus reducing water seepage. A lath mounting screw  350  may also be used that can help to secure the lath  360  to the attachment strip  340  and insulation  356 , but not penetrate into a wall  354 . 
       FIGS. 15-19  depict embodiments of an attachment strip  370  configured to envelope one or more pieces of cylindrical piece of insulation  378  adjacent to a wall  380 . With specific reference to  FIG. 15 , the attachment strip  370  has a pair of mounting plates  372  integral with a pair of side attachment plates  374  connected via a front mounting plate  376  where a lath can be attached. The attachment strip  370  is trapezoidal in shape. The insulation  378  functions not only as an insulator, but will fill in any holes created by mounting devices such as a screw that penetrates a wall  380 , thus increasing the water resistance of the attachment strip assembly  370 . 
       FIG. 16  depicts another embodiment of an attachment strip  390 , which is configured to fit a single piece of cylindrical insulation  378  with a termination stop  380 . The termination stop  380  is substantially perpendicular to the pair of mounting plate  372  and comprises a termination stop plate  381  extending substantially perpendicular from one of the mounting plates  372 , and extending substantially perpendicular from the termination stop plate is a termination stop leg  382 . This configuration of an attachment strip  390  allows water to drip from the plaster on the lath away from a wall. This type of structure is used where the plastering of a wall ends and other material begins, and prevents water from seeping into a wall. This shape of an attachment strip  390  can also be used to fit the attachment strip  390  around the inside corner of a wall. 
       FIG. 17  depicts an attachment strip  410  configured to be placed on an outside corner of a wall. The attachment strip  410  is comprised of a first attachment strip  373  and a second attachment strip  375  (each depicted and described in  FIG. 15 , integrated with each other at a corner  384  to create an integrated attachment strip from the first attachment strip  373  and second attachment strip  375 . The two attachment strips  373 ,  375  create an open L-like structure, with the exposed insulation  378  facing inward. 
       FIG. 18  depicts attachment strip the attachment strip  410  configured to be placed on an inside corner of a wall. The attachment strip  410  is comprised of two attachment strips as depicted and described in  FIG. 15 , integrated with each other at a corner  386  which creates two attachment strips perpendicular to each other. When installed around an inside wall corner, each piece of cylindrical insulation  378  is adjacent to a wall. The two attachment strips  373 ,  375  create an open L-like structure, with the exposed insulation  378  facing outward. 
       FIG. 19  depicts an attachment strip integrated with a channel screed. It is comprised of a first attachment strip  373  and a second attachment strip  375  as depicted and described in  FIG. 15 . Connecting the first attachment strip  373  and second attachment strip  375  is a channel screed  394  having a base  388  integral and along the same plane as the mounting plates  372  of the first attachment strip  373  and the second attachment strip  375 . The channel screed element  394  is comprised of a pair of parallel channel screed plates  390 , each perpendicular to the mounting plates  372  and between each attachment strip  373 ,  375 . Extending substantially perpendicular from each channel screed plate  390  is a channel screed leg  392 . This design of a channel screed can be used in an attachment assembly to create a recessed reveal that offers an architectural accent while providing a control joint to help minimize cracking. 
       FIG. 20  depicts an embodiment of an assembled attachment strip  480  with a lath  482 , a first piece of insulation  494 , and a second piece of insulation,  495 , secured to a wall  498 . In this embodiment a lath  482  is secured to an attachment strip having a first mounting plate  484  to be placed on a piece of insulation  494 . The attachment strip comprises a first side attachment plate  486 , a front attachment plate  488 , a second side attachment plate  488 , and a second mounting plate  490 . The first and second side attachment plates  486 ,  488  are obtusely angled from the first and second bottom mounting plates  484 ,  490 . The front attachment plate  488  is substantially parallel to the first and second mounting plates  484 ,  490 . A screw  490  secures the lath  482  to the front attachment plate  488 . Extending substantially parallel to the second mounting plate  490  is a lath insulation plate  492 , and extends toward a wall  500 , through a first piece of insulation  494  on one side and a second piece of insulation  495  on the other side. Extending substantially perpendicular from the lath insulation plate  492  and substantially parallel, but not overlapping with the first and second mounting plate  484 ,  490 , is a wall mounting plate  496 . A screw  498  secures the wall mounting plate  496  to the wall  498 . The design of this type of attachment strip allows for thicker layers of insulation  494 ,  495  to be placed between the lath  482  and the wall  500 . 
       FIG. 21  depicts an embodiment of an assembled attachment strip  510  with a lath  512 , a first piece of insulation  532 , and a second piece of insulation,  533 , secured to a wall  530 . In this embodiment a lath  512  is secured to an attachment strip  510  having a first mounting plate  484  to be placed on a piece of insulation  532 . The attachment strip  510  also has a first side attachment plate  516 , a front attachment plate  520 , a second side attachment plate  522 , and a second mounting plate  524 . The first and second side attachment plates  486 ,  488  are obtusely angled from the first and second bottom mounting plates  484 ,  490 . The front attachment plate  488  is substantially parallel to the first and second mounting plates  484 ,  490 . A screw  518  secures the lath  512  to the front attachment plate  520 . Extending substantially parallel to the second mounting plate  524  is a lath insulation plate  526 , and extends toward a wall  530 , through a first piece of insulation  532  on one side and a second piece of insulation  533  on the other side. Extending substantially perpendicular from the lath insulation plate  526  and substantially parallel, and substantially overlapping with the second mounting plate  524  and the front attachment plate  520 , is a wall mounting plate  528 . In this embodiment, a single screw can secure the lath  512  to the front attachment plate  520 . A screw  498  secures the wall mounting plate  496  to the wall  498 . The design of this type of attachment strip allows for thicker layers of insulation  494 ,  495  to be placed between the lath  482  and the wall  500 . 
       FIGS. 22 a - f    depict an embodiment of an attachment strip  540  having a interwoven wire  540  to secure a lath  552  to an attachment strip  540 . The attachment strip  540  is U-shaped, having a curved attachment plate  554  formed at the bottom of the U and a pair of curved bracing legs  544  at edges of the attachment strip  540 . This shape allows a cylindrical piece of insulation to be placed between the attachment strip  540  and a wall. An interwoven wire  550  is threaded up through a first attachment hole  548  and down through a second attachment hole  549  to secure a lath  552  by interweaving between the spaces and the metal of the lath  552 . The interwoven wire  540  continues to interweave through the lath  552  and other attachment holes on the attachment strip  540 . The attachment strip  540  can be secured to a wall via a screw through a screw hole  546 . 
       FIGS. 23 a - e    depict an embodiment of an attachment strip  560  having the U-shaped features of  FIG. 22  and the circumscribed pronged tooth features of  FIG. 14 . The attachment strip  560  is U-shaped, having a nadir  564  formed at the bottom of the U with a pair of curved top legs  562 . On the nadir  564 , running lengthwise down the attachment strip  560  are a series of triangular shaped pronged teeth  566 , each formed from a cut portion from the front attachment strip  560 . Each pronged tooth  566  is bent an angle such that the point of the pronged tooth  566  extends away from a wall  584 . A pronged tooth hole  567  circumscribes each pronged tooth  566 . The pronged tooth hole  567  aids in keying the plaster to the lath  572  and attachment strip  560  since the plaster, when wet, molds itself into the pronged tooth holes  567 , providing extra connection support when the plaster keys. Additional, along the nadir  562  of the attachment strip  560 , in between each pronged tooth  566  are a series of attachment holes  568 ,  580 . These attachment holes  568 ,  580  can be used to attach a lath  572  to the attachment strip  560  through a piece of insulation  570  and into a wall  584  via a long screw  574  able to penetrate each of these items. Small screws  576  can be used to attach the lath  572  to the attachment strip  560 , without penetrating the wall  584  and/or insulation  578 . 
       FIG. 24  depicts an embodiment of two non-overlapping U-shaped attachment strips  590  integrated with each other via an insulation plate  600  for use with thick pieces of insulation  602 ,  604 . The first attachment strip  595  and the second attachment strip are each substantially in the same U-shape as previously described in  FIG. 23 . The attachment strip has a first curved leg  594 , bracing against a first piece of insulation  604 , and curves to form a first nadir  610  that a lath  592  can be secured to via a screw  596  that penetrates the first nadir  610  of the attachment strip  590 . The nadir  610  then curves down forming an insulation plate  600 , where a first piece of insulation  604  can be placed on a first side of the insulation plate  600  and a second piece of insulation  602  can be placed on a second side of the insulation plate  600 . At the opposite end of the insulation plate  600  from the first nadir  596  is a second curved leg  612 , which braces against a wall  608 . 
       FIG. 25  depicts an embodiment of two overlapping U-shaped attachment strips  620  integrated with each other via an insulation plate  634  for use with thick pieces of insulation  644 ,  646 . The first attachment strip  625  and second attachment strip  627  are each substantially in the U-shape previously described in  FIG. 23 . The first attachment strip  595  has a pair of curved bracing legs  624 ,  630  and the second attachment strip  627  also has a pair of curved bracing legs  640 ,  636 . Between each pair of curved bracing legs  624 ,  630 ,  636 ,  640  is a raised region forming the nadir  628 ,  638  of the U-shape. An insulation plate  634  connects the first attachment strip  625  with the second attachment strip  627  via two of the bracing legs  630 ,  636 , one from each attachment strip  625 ,  627 . To secure a lath  622  to the integrated attachment strip  620 , a screw  628  is inserted from the lath  622 , through the nadir  626  of the first attachment strip  625 , continuing through first piece of insulation  644 , enters the nadir  638  of the second attachment strip  627 , through a wall  642 . The second attachment strip  627  overlap and is aligned with the first attachment strip  625  such that a single screw  628  can penetrate both the first attachment strip  625  and second attachment strip  627 . This design allows thick pieces of insulation  644 ,  646  to be placed in between a lath  622  and a wall  642 . 
       FIGS. 26 a - d    depict another embodiment of an attachment strip having teeth  650  capable of securing lath to a wall. The attachment strip  650  is U-shaped, having a curved attachment plate  654  and curved bracing legs  652 . The protrusion tooth  658  extends beyond the edge of the U-shape to catch and secured lath as it is being installed. The protrusion tooth  658  has a curved top  656  and a curved base  660  that angles away form the attachment plate  654  and attachment holes  662  where a screw or other mounting device can secure the attachment strip  650  to the wall.  FIG. 26 b    is an illustration of a protrusion tooth  658  protruding in a substantially vertical direction in relation to the vertical placement of the attachment strip  650 . In a preferred embodiment, the protrusion tooth  658  is angled between 45 degrees and 90 degrees from vertical plane of the attachment strip  650  when the attachment strip  650  is placed vertically against a wall. This angling of the protrusion tooth  658  enables the protrusion tooth  658  to catch and hold a lath that is placed over the attachment strip  650 . In another preferred embodiment, the protrusion tooth  658  is angled between 50 and 90 degrees perpendicular from the vertical plane of the attachment strip  650  when placed against a wall, as depicted. In another preferred embodiment the protrusion tooth  658  is angled approximately 70 degrees perpendicular from the vertical plan of the attachment strip  650  when placed against a wall, as depicted in  FIG. 26 c   . The attachment strip  650  has keying holes  653  to aid in securing the lath to the attachment strip  650 , when the wet plaster seeps through the lath into the keying hole  653  and forms a hardened continuous plastered connection when wet plaster keys in the keying hole  653 . The keying holes  653  and attachment holes  662  create thermal breaks to prevent thermal transmission of heat or cold. Between the attachment strip  652  and a wall can be insulation, as depicted by previously described embodiments, such as the insulation  356  in  FIG. 14 e   , and the insulation  578  in  FIG. 23 . The lath (depicted in several embodiments, such as in the lath  592  in  FIG. 24  and the lath  573  in  FIG. 23 b   ), is inserted over the protrusion teeth  658  and once the lath is secured by the protrusion teeth  658 , the teeth  658  are bent down, such as by hammering, as depicted by the bent tooth  658  in  FIG. 26 d   , to further secure the lath to the attachment strip  650 . 
       FIGS. 27 a - c    depict an embodiment of a system for attaching lath to a wall having a drainage system  670 . Attached to framing  672  is sheathing or an approved substrate for a wall  674 . Lath  682  is secured to the wall  674  which has a first water resistive barrier  676  that prevents water from entering the wall  674 . The lath  682  is secured via a screw  678  that secures an attachment strip  680 , the attachment strip  680  can have any of the embodiments of lath furring strips previously described in  FIGS. 1-26 . One side of the lath  682  has a second water resistive barrier  683 . The space in between the first water resistive barrier  676  and second water resistive barrier  683  is an air space/drainage channel  687 , which aids in preventing water from penetrating the inner layers of the wall  674  from the outer layers of the wall  684 ,  685 ,  686  by acting as a drainage channel  687  for any moisture that happens to get trapped between the first water resistive barrier  676  and second water resistive barrier  683 . The water resistive barriers  676 ,  683  also act as thermal breaks to aid in insulation. In between the attachment strip  680  and the first water resistive barrier  676  can be insulation or a foam core  677 , which aids in insulation by providing a thermal break, but also at least partially seals in any holes created by the screw  678  that penetrates through the first water resistive barrier  676  into the sheathing  674 . The air barrier  687  may be of a variety of depths, but preferably is ¼ to ⅜ of an inch. Additional layers of insulation may be inserted between the first and second water resistive barriers  676 ,  687 , as depicted in other embodiments, such as in  FIGS. 24 and 25 . 
     Adjacent to the attachment strip  680  are several plaster coats  684 ,  686 ,  688 , which include a plaster scratch coat  688 , a plaster brown coat  686  and a plaster finish coat  684 . Between the lath  682  and the water resistive barrier  676  is an air barrier/drainage channel  687  which acts as a drainage area where water can migrate down if the water passes through the plaster coats  684 ,  686 ,  688  before the water can reach the water resistive barrier  676 , thus providing additional protection against water damage. The attachment strip  680  can have layers of insulation within the attachment strip  680  depicted and described in  FIGS. 15-21, 24, 25 . 
       FIG. 28  depicts another embodiment of a system for attaching lath to a wall having a draining system  690 . Sheathing  674  is secured to a framing  672  via a screw  680  that secures an attachment strip  692 , insulation layer  677  (which can be a foam core, as depicted, or any insulation layer as previously described in  FIGS. 15-21, 24, 25 ) and a water resistive barrier  676 . In this embodiment, the attachment strip  692  has a Z shape which has a first portion forming an upper first curved attachment plate  693  that is able to create an increased depth of the air barrier  687  (as depicted in  FIG. 27 ) and a second lower curved attachment plate  694  that and can fit over an optional foam core  676 , An increase in the height of the attachment strip can be accomplished by any of the embodiments in  FIG. 20, 21, 24 , or  25 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 28 , the increased height of the Z-shaped attachment strip  692 , having protrusion teeth  696  creates a system with improved water resistance since any water that is able to seep through past the plaster layers (as depicted in  FIGS. 27 a - c   ) has a greater amount of air space for the water to drip down. In addition, the attachment strip  692  has keying holes  681  where plaster seeps into once applied to the lath, and keys the lath to the attachment strip  692  via the applied plaster. 
       FIGS. 29 a  and 29 b    depict top views of an embodiment of a system for applying plaster to a wall. In  FIG. 29 a   , several sheets of water resistive barriers  683  are applied as backing to a lath  682 . In the prior art, these water resistive barriers have been applied horizontally along a lath in relation to the wall that the system is placed on, however in this embodiment, the sheets of the water resistive barriers  683  are applied vertically to the lath  682 . Between each water resistive barrier sheet  683  is a gap  698  that separates each water resistive barrier sheet, which creates a space where plaster can seep through from the lath  682  to a water resistive barrier  691  adjacent the sheathing or approved substrate  674 . A gap between the water resistive barrier  683  and the attachment strips  680  such that plaster can seep through the lath  682  and key to the attachment strips  680  directly. Preferably, there is a 0.75 inch gap between each water resistive barrier sheet  683 , and each sheet is preferably 7.75 inches in width. The attachment strips  680  and framing  672  are preferably 16 inches apart. This system has the advantage of having two layers of water resistive barriers  683 ,  691 , that prevent water from seeing into the more expensive sheathing  674 . The first water resistive barrier  683  is adjacent the lath  682 , and the second water resistive barrier  691  is adjacent the sheathing  674 . The water resistive barriers  683 ,  691  not only prevent water from seeping into the sheathing  674 , but are the boundaries that create an air space  687  that aids in insulation and water drainage, should water seep though the plaster  702 . 
       FIG. 29 b    depicts the system of the attachment strip  700  after plaster has been applied to the lath  682 . Here, the purpose of gaps  698  depicted in  FIG. 29 a    is shown. The plaster  702  seeps through the gaps  698  and bonds to the attachment strips  680  (as shown in  FIG. 29 a   ) and water resistive barrier  691  adjacent to the sheathing  674 . This creates a plaster rib  704  way between the attachment strips  680 , such that the plaster  702  forms a hardened plaster rib  704  formed when the wet plaster  702  is applied to the lath  682 , seeps through to the back substrate or sheathing  674 , and then hardens. These plaster ribs  704  create additional support that helps prevent bowing of the plaster wall  702  between the attachment strips  680 . Applied on top of the plaster  702  can be finishing coats such as the plaster scratch coat  685 , plaster brown coat  686  and plaster finishing coat  684 , as depicted in  FIGS. 27 a - c   . The lath  682  can be secured to attachment strips that have a variety of embodiments, such as, but not limited to, the embodiments depicted and described in  FIGS. 1-28 . The gaps  698  of the water resistive barrier  683  do not cover the attachment strip  680  so that plaster can seep through the lath  682 , bind and key to the attachment strip  680 , thus encasing the attachment strip  680  in plaster, providing further support of the structure, and also creating additional plaster ribs  704  that give support to the attachment strip system, all while maintaining an air barrier  691 , which aids in water drainage and insulation of the system. 
       FIG. 29 c    depicts an embodiment of a system for applying plaster to a wall without separated water resistive barriers  683  (the separate water resistive barrier depicted in  FIGS. 29 a  and 29 b   ). Here, the water resistive barrier  683  is a single sheet between the attachment strips  680 . Because there are no gaps  698  (as depicted in  FIG. 29 a   ), the embodiment of system does not allow the passage of plaster  702  to form a plaster rib  704  along the water resistive barrier  691  adjacent to the sheathing  674 . Although there is no plaster rib  704 , this embodiment still has the double water resistive barriers  683 ,  691  that aid in water resistance still form an air space  687  for drainage and insulation. 
       FIG. 30  depicts an embodiment of a system for attaching lath to a wall  690  similar the system depicted in  FIG. 28 . In  FIG. 30  the system comprises a Z-shaped attachment strip  692  having cut-out portions  716  to reduced thermal transfer. The cut-out portions  716  include regions formerly part of the lower second curved attachment plate  694  and the lower region of the upper first curved attachment plate  693 . By only having the metal of the attachment strip  692  contact the areas where studs  675  are present near the attachment positions, instead of the entire length of the attachment strip  692  (as depicted in  FIG. 28 ), there is less thermal transfer due to less contact area of the attachment strip  720 . In a preferred embodiment, the cut-out portions  716  are 10 inches in length between attachment portion  706  and the next nearest attachment portion  708 . In this preferred embodiment, each attachment portion  706 ,  708  is six inches in length, and the mounting hole  712  is centered in each six inch section  714 . Users of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that these distances can be varied. In a preferred embodiment, in addition to the cut-out portions  716  reducing thermal transfer by reducing the amount of metal in contact with a water resistive barrier  676 , insulation core  677  and/or studding  675 , portions of the attachment strip  692  may be cut out, such as keying and/or thermal eliminator holes  681  located near the juncture between the upper first curved attachment plate  693  and lower second curved attachment plate  694 . By having less metal in the attachment plate, especially near contact surface of the attachment portions  706 ,  708 ,  714 , less thermal transfer will occur. Details concerning the attachment strip  692  in  FIG. 30  correspond with the detailed description of previously described in  FIG. 28 . 
       FIGS. 31-34  depict four embodiments of a device and assembly for securing insulation and/or lath to a wall. In one embodiment, illustrated in  FIGS. 31 a - f   , a first insulation panel  830  and a second insulation panel  802  are secured to an attachment strip  770 . The completed and assembled attachment strip  770  with the two insulation panels  802 ,  830  is illustrated in  FIG. 31 a   . To assemble the insulation panels  802 ,  830  on each side of the attachment strip  770 , a first insulation panel is pressed against a first side  820  of an insulation plate  850  as illustrated in  FIG. 31 b   . The insulation plate  850  has a first side  820  and a second side  848  for transecting two insulation panels  802 ,  830 , and a first mounting flange  824  for mounting the attachment strip  770  against a wall. 
     The insulation plate  850  also has an insulation retention arm  828  that is capable of projecting away from the insulation plate  850  for retaining insulation  830  against the attachment strip  770 . Prior to assembling the two insulation panels  802 ,  830 , the insulation retention arm  828  remains flush with insulation plate  850 . After the first insulation panel  830  is pressed against the insulation plate  850 , the insulation retention arm  828  is hammered out from the second side  848  of the insulation plate, thereby creating a projecting insulation retention arm  828  as depicted in  FIG. 31 c   . The top view, illustrated in  FIG. 31 f   , best illustrates the first side of the insulation plate  820  and second side of the insulation plate  848  from where the user hammers out the insulation retention arm  828 .  FIG. 31 d    depicts the front view of the attachment strip  770  without any insulation panels  802 ,  803 , while  FIG. 31 e    depicts the side view of the attachment strip  770  without any insulation panels  802 ,  830 . 
     When the insulation retention arm  828  projects into the first insulation panel  830 , as shown in  FIG. 31 c   , the insulation retention arm  828  pierces and retains the insulation  830  against attachment strip  770 . In some embodiments, the insulation retention arm may be triangular shaped and/or have a hooked end  840  (as depicted in  FIG. 31 g   ), which further aids in retaining the first insulation panel  830  to the attachment strip  770 . This hooked end  840  may be incorporated into any of the other insulation retention arms  828  depicted throughout this specification. 
     After the first insulation panel  830  is secured to the attachment strip  770 , a second insulation panel  802  is placed on the second side  848  of the insulation plate  850 . The second insulation panel  802  is retained by a retention flange  818  (also described in previous embodiments as a mounting plate) which extends substantially perpendicular from the interior edge  844  of the second side  848  of the insulation plate  820 , best depicted in top view in  FIG. 31 f   . In some embodiments the retention flange  818  may have an insulation grasping flange  832  opposing and substantially parallel to the insulation plate interior edge  844 , which helps to grasp and hold the second insulation panel  802  in place. 
     In some embodiments, a second mounting flange  822  may be spaced apart from the first mounting flange  824 , creating a mounting flange void  852  between the first and said second mounting flanges  824 ,  822 . This void  852  minimizes the amount of metal in the attachment strip  770 . By minimizing the amount of metal in the attachment strip  770 , the attachment strip  770  conducts less heat, thereby providing greater insulation compared to if the entire attachment strip  770  had no void between the first and second mounting flanges  824 ,  822 . Like the first mounting flange  824 , the second mounting flange also extends substantially perpendicular from the inner edge  846  of the mounting flange  824 . 
     To further reduce the metal content of the attachment strip  770 , and thereby improving the insulating characteristics of the attachment strip  770 , voids may be introduced into various regions of the attachment strip  770 . In a preferred embodiment, the insulation plate  850  has an upper region with an insulation plate aperture  826  where no metal exists. Another voided area may include a middle region insulation plate void  836 . The middle insulation plate void  836  may be of a various shapes to increase insulative properties. Preferably, this void  836  is trapezoidally shaped having the small base of the trapezoid on the near the bottom of the insulation plate  850  and the long base of the void near the top of the insulation plate  850 . This shape has the advantage having more metal near the lower base region  834  of the insulation plate  850 . By having more metal near the lower base region  834  of the insulation plate  850 , the attachment strip  770  can bear more weight than if the middle region insulation plate void  836  had the same width throughout the length of the insulation plate  850 . 
       FIGS. 32 a - f    illustrate additional advantageous features of an attachment strip  780 . This embodiment is identical to the embodiment described and illustrated in  FIGS. 31 a - g   , but has lath retention arms  806  (also described as protruding teeth throughout the specification). Each lath retention arm  806  has a base  808  where the arm  806  is attached to the retention flange  818 . The lath retention arms  806  project out from the retention flange  818  creating a lath space  804  where a lath can be inserted and secured over the lath retention arms  806 . A variety of lath retention arm shapes and configuration will work in this embodiment. One such embodiment that describes how the lath retention arms hold a lath and are secured an attachment strip is illustrated and described above in  FIG. 26 . By placing the lath on lath retention arm  806  instead on the wall directly, heat loss and water intrusion is minimized because fewer holes are created when the lath is secured to an attachment strip compared to when a lath is directly attached to a wall or insulation. 
       FIGS. 33 a - f    illustrate an additional advantageous feature of an attachment strip  790  for securing insulation panels  802 ,  830 . The embodiment is the same as the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 31 a - e   , except this embodiment has a retention flange aperture  810  positioned within the retention flange  818 . By having this aperture  810 , this feature aids in reducing heat loss by reducing the amount of metal on the attachment strip  790  without reducing the structural stability of the attachment strip  790 . 
       FIGS. 34 a - f    illustrate still another additional advantageous feature of an attachment strip  800  for securing insulation panels  802 ,  830 . Here, the advantageous features of  FIGS. 32 a - f    and  FIGS. 33 a - f    are combined into a single attachment strip  800 , such that this embodiment has both lath retention arms  806  and a retention flange aperture  810  on the attachment strip  800 . The combination of all these features on a single attachment strip  800  decrease heat loss through the attachment strip  800 . 
     Thus it is appearing that there has been provided, in accordance with the invention, an attachment strip and system for securing lath to a wall in an easier manner, which uses fewer penetrating devices, thus increasing water resistance, that fully satisfies the objects, aims, and advantages set forth above. While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.