QA

How To Stucco Exterior Wall

Can you stucco yourself?

Stucco is made from Portland cement, sand, lime and water—so it’s a completely natural product with no negative environmental impact. You can make your own stucco by buying the components or buy it premixed, so all you need to do is add water.

How much does it cost to stucco a wall?

Stucco siding costs between $5 to $9.58 per square foot on average to install. If you were to apply stucco siding to the average size 1,500 square foot home, you could expect to pay around $10,935 in total installation costs at an average of about $7 per square foot.

How thick is an exterior stucco wall?

Although it is called a “One Coat System,” the stucco material is usually a 3/8 inch thick coat with a 1/8 inch finish coat applied over it; thus two layers or coats.

Can you apply stucco over stucco?

You can apply new stucco on top of old, so long as the proper measures are taken to ensure the integrity of the new layer. Check the existing stucco for structural integrity. Keep the nozzle at least two feet from the surface of the stucco area. Allow 48 to 72 hours for the stucco to dry.

Is there plywood behind stucco?

Stucco is one of the oldest building materials in continuous use. Either softwood construction-grade exterior plywood can be used or OSB . Building codes vary from place to place, but typically call for a minimum of 3/8” of sheathing underneath stucco.

What is the main problem with stucco?

When a home’s stucco doesn’t have the necessary space or is below the grade, it can trap water and moisture leading to the formation of mold, rotting, cracking, and crumbling. Additionally, the stucco will begin to soak up even more moisture from the ground.

What is cheaper siding or stucco?

If you’re deciding between two materials, then you need to think about your budget. In this case, stucco is the more expensive option. The vinyl siding cost for installation ranges between $1.50 to $8.50 per square foot. On the other hand, the cost to install stucco is between $5 to $9.58 per square foot.

What is behind a stucco wall?

Stucco walls typically have chicken wire, or some other metal mesh, embedded in the stucco and that metal barrier will prevent your stud finder from sensing the increased density necessary to locate the studs.

Does stucco need a finish coat?

Stucco application typically requires three coats. The initial “scratch coat” provides adhesion to the building. The “brown coat”, which comes second, is responsible for creating an even surface. Finally, the “finish coat” determines the stucco’s outward appearance.

How long do you wait between coats of stucco?

Cure Time: The scratch coat should be allowed to moist cure for a period of 3-5 days. This allows the cement to become hard enough to gain most of it’s strength before the brown coat is applied.

Is stucco as strong as concrete?

Stucco will typically be used in vertical applications, such as for walls and borders. Concrete, on the other hand, is much tougher and heavier, and will typically be used to fill in cracks or act as a horizontal support.

How do you mix one coat of stucco?

The typical ratio for a one coat stucco mix is basically one part cement to 3 parts sand and about 3 gallons of water, however, there are many one coat stucco mixes out there today that have specific formulas. There are kinds that only require you to add water to and some that require both water and sand.

What is Western one coat stucco?

Description: Western 1-Kote Gray Concentrate is a fiber reinforced, modified portland cement exterior plaster. Western 1-Kote Gray Concentrate may also be used over wood or gypsum backing and may be utilized for a scratch and / or brown coat application for a conventional stucco system.

Do you need to sandblast before stucco?

While there is no building code that requires you to sand blast before the re-stucco process, it is a best trade practice with any re-stucco project. The purpose of sandblasting is to remove any of the old layers of paint and cement that may be peeling, flaking, or blistering.

What goes on before stucco?

Overview of the Process. You can apply stucco over wood sheathing, masonry or brick. When applying it over sheathing, you first must cover the wood with a double layer of grade-D waterproof building paper and then fasten metal lath to the structure to support the stucco.

What are the 3 coats of stucco?

Three coat is the original stucco process, consisting of paper and wire, a scratch coat, a brown coat, and a finish, or “top” coat.

Is stucco cheaper than brick?

Brick is less costly than stucco, and natural stone is more expensive than both. Stucco is considered very energy efficient and can last up to 50 years or more. Brick with a little maintenance can last up to 100 years or more.