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 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 typically under stucco?

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.

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.

Gapping Plywood sheathing if installing stucco, is gapping plywood necessary for stucco

How do you prepare a wall 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.

Can you put stucco over plywood?

Applying the Stucco. Building code requires three coats of stucco to be applied over plywood substrates, with each coat being approximately ¼” thick. The easiest material for this is to use a manufactured stucco mixture.

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.

Can stucco be applied to cement board?

Once installed, though, the boards require finishing for longevity and attractiveness. One finish you can use on cement boards is stucco. Extensive preparation is necessary, but once completed, you'll have a beautiful surface, suitable for further finishing by painting or left as-is for a raw plaster look.

Can stucco be put on 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.

Can you put stucco on OSB?

Today's equivalent to that is cement block construction. But more often than not, stucco is applied today to homes which are made of standard wood construction, covered with plywood sheathing. Either softwood construction-grade exterior plywood can be used or OSB .

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.

How thick is a residential stucco wall?

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 a load bearing?

Concrete is load bearing, and an improper mixture can be life-threatening. Stucco cannot bear any weight, but bad mixing still will cause it to crack and crumble.

What happens if stucco is too thick?

Overly thick stucco may weigh so much that it causes the wire or metal lath to sag in places. It may be so heavy that over time it pulls the lathing completely loose from the studs or substrate; the stucco may bow or hunks of stucco may fall off due to the extra weight.

Is stucco stronger than 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 thick should exterior stucco be?

3 layers are necessary for all but a plaster base. The thickness ranges from 3/8″ to 5/8″.

Does stucco keep water out?

Since stucco is a masonry product, it is often believed to be waterproof already. However, this isn't totally true — stucco is indeed permeable and will let some water through.

How do you attach stucco?

Is stucco exterior expensive?

When it comes to cost, stucco siding is among the most expensive siding options. Stucco costs between $6 and $9 per square foot. Still, because of it's longevity, durability, and energy efficiency, many find that stucco pays for itself over time.

Can you stucco a concrete wall?

Apply the first coat of stucco to the concrete surface. This first coat is known as the "scratch coat." This coat helps the final coat bond properly to the wall. Use the flat finishing trowel to spread the stucco evenly across the surface. The scratch coat should be between 1/4 and 1/2 inch thick.

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.

What are the problems with stucco houses?

Stucco tears and other discoloration around windows, doors, electrical boxes, pipes, meters, and spotlights. Pervasive scent of wood rot. Water leaking into the house, damaging the ceiling, walls, and flooring. Dry rot around windows.