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.

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.

How do I know what is under stucco?

You'd have to go through the insulation, through the sheathing, and through the house wrap, to see if there is any brick or other material before the stucco. At that point, there's a good chance you'll punch a hole right through the stucco anyway. The inside structure will tell ALL about the stability of the stucco.

Is there plywood behind 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.

What is the paper under stucco called?

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.

How to Install Stucco

What is the black paper under stucco?

The paper is a line of defense against moisture and is also referred to as the water resistive barrier in a three coat stucco system. Simple hand tools and attention to minor details are all it takes to install it.

What is stucco screed?

Weep screed is a special piece of metal flashing that runs along the bottom of walls that wicks moisture out of holes that are located at the bottom of the flashing.

Does stucco need plywood under?

Stucco requires a rough surface that it can bond to, like the aforementioned masonry. Plywood products don't offer this, so lath needs to be applied, providing something for the stucco to bond to. But there are other parts of the preparation to do, before the lath.

How do you prep 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.

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.

What is behind a stucco exterior 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.

Is there brick under stucco?

Many people purchase or inherit older homes that have layers of stucco covering an older brick and mortar exterior. For those who desire to remove the stucco to reveal the brick and mortar underneath, be forewarned that this is a huge undertaking that requires lots of time and effort.

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 use Tyvek 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 do you need to stucco a house?

Can you stucco over cement board?

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.

What type of foam is used for stucco?

Polystrene. Most of the foam boards used with stucco in the one coat system are made out of polystyrene, which is moisture repellent and relatively rigid in terms of its structure. Polystrene is similar to polystyrene foam, but is harder and more durable. It is also used extensively in packing and model making.

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 I use chicken wire for stucco?

20 Gauge Wire (One Coat Stucco Wire):

There is really only one style and it resembles the look and thickness of traditional chicken wire. This is really the only type of wire that is used for a one coat stucco installation and the wire is made specifically for it too, so keep that in mind.

How do you prepare plywood for 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.

Does stucco stick to 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 stucco touch the ground?

When installing stucco, you should ensure that it never touches the ground, or in other words, is below-grade. There needs to be a minimum of two inches of space between the concrete and the stucco for houses that rest on concrete foundations.

Does all stucco need weep screed?

Weep screeds are generally only used on walls constructed with wood framing, and are not required on stucco-coated masonry structures or when adhered stone is installed over masonry.

Is stucco weep screed necessary?

The question of when a weep screed is required is actually fairly common. It is highly recommended to use one when placing stucco over wood on a house. This is standard when you have a new construction build. They are code enforced and those codes can vary based on counties and states.