How do I prepare my house for stucco?

When working with an existing masonry or brick wall, you're going to first need to use some fresh mortar to repair any cracks that exist, then wash the wall with a power washer (or use a trisodium phosphate-water mixture and scrub it). The wall should be thoroughly wet before you apply the first coat of stucco.

What do you put under stucco?

Because stucco is porous, the base—typically plywood or oriented-strand board sheathing—must have at least one layer of weather-resistant, vapor-permeable asphalt-impregnated building paper (“felt”) or plastic-based building wraps or stucco wraps.

What is the process to stucco a house?

Traditional stucco is applied in a three-coat process to wood-frame exterior walls. It starts with a “scratch coat” spread over metal lath attached to a house's exterior sheathing. The rough surface allows the next layer, the “brown coat,” to adhere.

What goes on plywood before stucco?

Apply two layers of grade D building paper or asphalt felt to the plywood siding. Follow with the three-dimensional drainage mat and two more layers of paper or felt. Secure stucco mesh to your walls and then apply your layers of stucco for a watertight finish.

What is behind a stucco wall?

Sheathing is basically the “backing material” that can be found underneath the various layers of stucco that form the backing of residential and commercial buildings. They can be made out of wood, cement, gypsum, fiberglass and other materials.

How to Install Stucco

What is the main problem with stucco?

There are several stucco problems that you can encounter. The most common ones are staining and discoloration, stucco cracking, and moisture intrusion. Other problems include stucco extending below grade and caulking. Some of these issues will need either repair or remediation.

Is plywood required under stucco?

When stucco is applied over any engineered wood sheathing, the wood sheathing must cover the entire surface which will receive the stucco. It doesn't work to only use plywood in the corners, with Styrofoam sheathing in-between. The Styrofoam isn't strong enough to support the stucco.

Is sheathing required behind stucco?

STUCCO APPLICATION OVER WOOD SHEATHING

Building paper is required where stucco is applied over wood structural sheathing. Note: The International Building Code and the International Residential Code require two layers of Grade D building paper over wood-based sheathing.

What are the layers 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.

Can you put stucco over wood?

Stucco can be applied over almost any surface. Applying stucco over your existing wood siding is a great way to cover up wood that is looking old and worn, or simply to give your home a new look.

Does stucco increase home value?

Whether you're building a new home or simply renovating your existing one, stucco installation is something you should consider in your plans. Stucco is a durable and reliable siding material that can increase the value of your home.

How thick should stucco be applied?

The correct thickness is then 5/8 inch. Two-coat applications are only for use over solid plaster bases without metal lath. For unit masonry, that thickness is ½ inch. For cast-in-place or precast concrete, the thickness for two-coat work is 3/8 inch.

Is stucco over brick a good idea?

Because stucco and brick are both masonry products, stucco can be applied directly to brick in most cases. This makes stucco an excellent finish for covering damaged brick, or for dressing up a boring brick wall.

Can Tyvek be used under stucco?

Yes, DuPont^™ Tyvek^® WB can be used under any façade, including brick, stucco, vinyl, cedar siding, metal, and stone. Proper installation under each façade is essential to ensure Tyvek^® provides the maximum level of air infiltration resistance and bulk water holdout.

What is the minimum thickness of stucco?

The minimum thickness of stucco from the face of the base shall be not less than 3/4 inch at every point… Non-corrodible flashing or other expedients that will prevent penetration of moisture behind the stucco shall be used when necessary.

What kind of paper goes under stucco?

Under stucco, you can use asphalt felt or two layers of Grade-D building paper, commonly used on the West Coast. Both asphalt felt and Grade D paper will block liquid water but allow water vapor to pass through.

Does stucco need mesh?

Two-coat stuccoing is often used when stucco is applied directly to concrete or masonry surfaces without the use of lath or wire mesh. This is because the masonry or concrete provides a very rigid stable base.

How thick should a 3 layer stucco coat be?

As its name suggests, three coat stucco is applied in three layers: 3/8-inch thick scratch coat, 3/8-inch thick brown coat, and approximate 1/8-inch thick finish coat.

How long does the stucco process take?

Let the brown coat stiffen for a short time, and then float the surface with a sponge masonry float to smooth it. Let the stucco cure for 24 to 48 hours, misting as needed to keep it moist.

What is lath for stucco?

Lath is simply the first step in the stucco process. It consists of water resistant paper, (sometimes eps foam) wire and other metal components that make up the essential “framework” for the cement to be adhered to. It attaches to the substrate and is the structure for the following coats.

How long do stucco homes last?

Stucco is a very durable finish material with a typical life span of 50-80 years or more. Although it is one of the most durable surfaces available, it also features the lowest annual maintenance cost when compared to other siding materials.

How often should stucco be sealed?

If new, stucco can be sealed with a clear concrete/ masonry sealer, which will penetrate into the stucco and stop moisture entrance. These are typically silicone type sealers. While effective, these finishes will usually need to be redone every 4-5 years.