The Beauty of Stucco

stucco has been used as a building material since the first human-made dwellings. In fact, many of the famous Greek and Roman fresco paintings that we are familiar with from art history was painted on stucco or cement mixtures. During the Italian Renaissance, artist used a marble dust mixture both in architecture and art. The use of stucco as a building or siding material has waxed and waned throughout the years, but is currently enjoying a resurgence in popularity. With good reason; stucco is durable, attractive, and an excellent insulator. Today’s stucco is more versatile than ever. It is available in a wide range of colors, textures and varieties to suit virtually every budget and aesthetic preference. The beauty of stucco, it seems, is timeless.

Traditional, or ‘conventional’ stucco is a mixture that is comprised of cement, water and, often, inert ingredients such as limestone or sand. The two most common ways of applying stucco are the ‘one coat’ and ‘three coat’ methods. As the name implies, the one coat method involves applying one very thick coat of stucco directly over a metal lath. After the one coat of stucco dries it can be painted as desired. The obvious advantage to the one coat method is that it is quicker to install, and consequently more economical. Because one coat of stucco is relatively thin, the stucco is more flexible, which can result in fewer cracks over time. However, it is ultimately somewhat less durable than the three-coat method, and provides less insulation.

The three-coat stucco method involves applying three distinct layers on top of one another. Obviously this is a more time-consuming and expensive method of application, but the thicker stucco provides added insulation and strength. Pigment or textured additives may be added to the topmost layer to alter the appearance of the stucco.

Both one coat and three-coat stucco are applied over a metal lath, which is a grid that resembles very widely spaced window screening. Beneath the lath is a substrate layer, which serves to provide both insulation and a moisture-resistant barrier between the interior and exterior of the residence.

Employing either of the two methods (one or three coats), installers can use different finishing methods to customize the look. For example, stucco may be ‘raked’, swirled or smoothed, to create the desired texture. It may also be painted with a standard exterior paint (in lieu of including pigment embedded in the final layer).

Although stucco has traditionally been favored in the United States as a finish for Spanish Villa or Southwestern style homes, it has now become a popular choice for nearly any type of residence. Because it is so versatile, stucco can replicate the looks of many other materials. In fact, several companies produce proprietary stucco blends designed to resemble other finishes, such as brick or stone, at substantially less cost.

One of the disadvantages of choosing stucco siding is that a professional must install it since incorrect application of stucco can lead to disastrous, and costly mistakes.

Besides traditional stucco, many siding companies have also begun selling proprietary blends of concrete and ‘synthetic stuccos’, which are not actually stucco at all, but materials that are designed to duplicate the seamless appearance of stucco. Exterior insulation & finish systems (EIFS) are one commonly used type of alternative siding material. Easy to apply and very economical, EIFS have become a popular choice among new homebuilders and renovators alike. Unfortunately, these finish systems have gotten a bad name recently because of several class action lawsuits. These lawsuits involved homeowners who suffered water damage after having EIFS installed on their home. However, with proper installation and use of drainage systems, these situations could most likely have been avoided in the first place.

stucco siding has a number of advantages over EIFS, chief among them its water resistant properties. Although it is a porous substance, and as such retains moisture; this same porousness allows it to dry out equally quickly making it particularly suited for hot, dry climates. stucco can stand up to extreme conditions such as high winds, cold, heat and exposure to direct sunlight as well as any other choice of siding.

stucco siding can greatly enhance the appearance of your home’s exterior and will last for the life of your home, provided that you choose a quality product and have it installed by a professional. Even better, it requires very little work to maintain the beauty of your stucco siding through the years.

home-inspection