What is hard coat stucco?

Also called “Hard Coat Stucco” and “Exterior Plaster” Definition: “An exterior finish composed of some combination of Portland cement, lime, and sand, which are mixed with water, which dries to a very hard textured finish” [1]

What is the difference between synthetic and hard coat stucco?

Synthetic Stucco (EIFS)

It's more flexible than traditional stucco and consists of a moisture barrier, foam insulation, cement basecoat, reinforcing fiberglass mesh and an acrylic finish. Synthetic stucco is 80% lighter than traditional hard-coat and relatively durable, due to containing fiberglass.

Is Hard stucco good?

A traditional hard-coat stucco exterior system is extremely strong and durable because it essentially covers your home with a layer of rock. Cement stucco is made of sand, a small quantity of lime, Portland cement and water.

What kind of stucco is best?

If weather is a concern and you have enough money in your budget, acrylic stucco might be the best choice for you. Synthetic stucco material is also called an exterior insulation and finish system (EIFS), and it is a polymer-based laminate that is applied in two coats over a rigid insulation board secured to a wall.

What are the two types of stucco?

Hardcoat vs. Synthetic Stucco

What is the most popular stucco finish?

What is the difference between base coat and finish coat stucco?

The brown coat covers the first base coat and creates a plane surface, leading to the best possible results for the finish coat. The finish coat is the thinnest of the coats, and its purpose is to impart a decorative surface to the plaster. Scratch, brown, and finish coats all have slightly different proportions.

What are the three layers of stucco called?

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

Which is better traditional or synthetic stucco?

Synthetic Stucco Performance. Traditional stucco is more durable, fire resistant, and has greater longevity, being able to last up to 50 years with low maintenance. Traditional stucco is also very porous and dries out quickly, while synthetic stucco is not and can have water damage issues if not installed properly.

What is the fake stucco called?

Synthetic stucco is commonly referred to as Exterior Insulating and Finish System (EIFS).

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.

What is better stucco or EIFS?

The fiberglass layer provides more durability, even against hard blows from weather. EIFS is notably lighter than traditional stucco, however. It is 80-percent less heavy than stucco, but it has a higher R-value, coming in between 4 and 5.6, which is notably higher than the 0.20 R-value of regular stucco.

What is the problem with synthetic stucco?

Severe Synthetic Stucco Problems

Delamination, which is synthetic stucco detaching from your home's exterior. Rotting of wood beams and trim. Mold and mildew growth, both on interior walls and beneath on the home's base walls. Infestation of termites and other moisture seeking insects.

Is stucco hard or soft?

Traditional stucco creates a hard, rock-like finish with an interesting texture. It's applied in one to three coats, depending on the existing exterior it's being applied over.

Is EIFS stucco still used?

Yet today, EIFS are still around. About 100 million square feet of EIFS went on new and remodeled homes last year, rivaling any other siding material.

How do I know if my hard coat stucco is synthetic?

Real stucco should sound solid and feel solid like concrete. Touching real stucco could wind up cutting your hand, so be careful when inspecting the material installed on the exterior of your home. Synthetic stucco is more brittle and less durable than real stucco.

What is the foam under stucco?

Extruded Polystrene (XPS)

It is the insulating foam board of choice for exterior stucco walls that need to be well protected form the elements and highly insulated. It also provides a durable backing to stucco walls and stands up well to wet conditions.

Does stucco add value to a home?

Does Stucco Siding Increase Home Value? HGTV says well-maintained stucco is an impressive, high-value improvement that can increase a home's curb appeal and value.

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.

What material is 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.

How thick is stucco coat?

“One Coat” Stucco Systems – The stucco is usually 3/8 inch to 1/2 inch thick.

Is it normal for the brown coat of stucco to crack?

Application of the brown coat before the scratch coat has properly cured, and failure to make the additional trowel‐float pass, are common causes of cracking in the finished stucco. The finish coat may be either Portland cement plaster or acrylic, typically 1/8‐in.

Can you stucco over old 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.

Do I need special paint for stucco?

Q: Do you need special paint for stucco? Yes, to paint stucco surfaces, choose either acrylic, masonry, or elastomeric paint. Other types of paint may look good going on but be prone to bubbling, peeling, and cracking.