THE TRADITIONAL STUCCO PROVIDES A TOUGH EXTERIOR
THAT RESISTS ATTACK

Stucco is an adhesive used to cover any exterior or interior walls. Sometimes stucco is used to decorate the background of a wall. This section provides information on how to work with, repair and maintain stucco.

Modern stucco is an exterior cement plaster wall covering. It is usually a mix of sand, Portland cement, lime and water, but may also consist of a proprietary mix of additives including fibers and synthetic acrylics that add strength and flexibility. Modern synthetic stucco can be applied as one base layer and a finish layer, which is thinner and faster to apply, compared to the traditional application of three-coat stucco.

A wide variety of stucco accessories, such as weep screeds, control and expansion joints, corner-aids and architectural reveals are sometimes also incorporated into the lath. Wire lath is used to give the plaster something to attach to and to add strength. Types include expanded-metal lath, woven-wire lath, and welded-wire lath.

Features and Benefits of Stucco

There are many reasons for the increase in the use of Stucco as an exterior cladding system in recent times. It has many advantages over other exterior cladding that the few disadvantages are not really significant.
 

• Versatility of Design
  • Conforms to any variety of shapes, forms, arches and ornamental configurations.
     
• Aesthetically Pleasing
  • Stucco can be applied in an almost limitless variety of textures, finishes and colors.
  • Creates large monolithic uniform surfaces.
     
• Weather Resistance
  • Stucco finishes are highly resistant to water penetration. Water does not pass through it when properly mixed. applied and densified.
  • Stucco performs in a variety of climatic conditions enduring wet/dry and freeze/thaw cycles without problem.
     
• Fire Resistance
  • Stucco clad walls will provide up to one hour of fire resistance, a feature that sets
  • Stucco apart from other economical wall cladding finishes.
     
• Low Maintenance Costs
  • Stucco is a durable surface that is easily cleaned with a water hose. It has excellent
  • color retention, and can be refinished with a top coat of the same or different color.
  • Stucco will not breakdown fade or decay. lt does not rust, peel or flake and can be easily repaired.
     
• Insect Proof
  • Stucco is not susceptible to attack from insects, rodents or other drilling or boring creatures.
     
• Impact and Abuse Resistant
  • Stucco 's hard surface and metal lath reinforcement make it highly resistant to physical abuse.
  • It can be reinforced with security mesh to provide extra security for wall assemblies.
• Noise Resistance
  • Stucco's monolithic nature and heavy mass reduces noise transmission much more effectively than other competing cladding choices.
     
• Economical
  • The cost per square foot of stucco, combined with its versatility and aesthetic design capabilities makes it one of the most cost effective choices for residential and commercial wall cladding systems.
  • These factors have made stucco the cladding of choice in recent times.
     
• Earthquake Performance
  • Recent research has demonstrated that engineered stucco-cladding systems greatly enhance structural building performance and mitigate damage in a seismic event.

When you think of a stucco finish, you normally picture it in terms of an exterior product. Although this is true, it can also be used in interior applications. The popcorn finishes of the sixties were referred to as stucco, but the stucco of today is far more attractive and modern.

INTERIOR STUCCO

Interior stucco is a hard and durable form of plaster that adds a thick, protective layer to a wall or ceiling. It can be troweled or sprayed to create different designs, and then painted any color imaginable. Because of its more unique application and design, it does require greater skill to achieve a nice appearance.

TEXTURE AND TECHNIQUE

You can also create the stucco look through a faux technique. To accomplish this, mix up two different shades of tinted drywall taping compound. Using a trowel and design squeegee, apply the two shades in alternating patterns over each other onto the wall. Rearrange them to meet the desired appearance you are trying to create. Remember, you can always scrape it off and start over as long as you do it before it dries. Seal the stucco with a polyurethane sealant.

There is another, more elegant form of interior stucco referred to as Tobias Stucco. As shown in these images, it can be a beautiful alternative to traditional paint and plaster. Available in several colors, it brings an unusual texture and appearance that will set your home apart from other designs.

STUCCO CEILINGS

Ceilings pose a difficult design area. All too often, we tend to just paint it a neutral color and settle for the easy way out. For design purposes, however, the ceiling provides a great opportunity to really spice-up a room and to bring an unexpected custom look. Stucco is an easy way to bring style to a ceiling without a lot of effort or expense. Consider the various options for ceiling design for your home, and then request free estimates from prescreened drywall or painting contractors in your area.