What Is Stucco?

Stucco is an inexpensive coating applied to the exterior of homes. It is made of natural materials. When applied properly and maintained, stucco can last for years, giving the outside of your home an attractive coating. There are two different types of stucco:

• Traditional stucco
• Modern/contemporary stucco

Stucco forms when Portland cement materials, sand and water that are mixed together to create a plaster. It is very versatile and there are many types of Stucco that are formed out of varying raw materials. There are different types of stucco.

Traditional Stucco

To form traditional stucco, lime is often used instead of Portland cement. Another benefit of stucco is that it is convenient and very easy to use. The mixture is usually combined on site and ready to apply within minutes.

Adjusting the amounts of raw materials in your stucco mixture will achieve a different texture and enhances certain properties of stucco. Cement makes stucco more durable. While adding more lime makes the mixture easier to mold. Other materials like glass fibers and acrylics can be added to traditional stucco to make it even more durable.

Playing around with the mixture doesn’t always yield positive results. For example, sometimes pure cement stucco is used but this can form a very hard plaster, making it a little more difficult to work with. Another disadvantage of adding pure cement is that it can cause the stucco to crack if a stable stucco mesh base, also called stucco lath, is not applied. When stucco installation is done correctly, it can last up to 50 years.

The appropriate thickness of Stucco is determined by what materials are present in the mixture and whether lath has been used. Lath should always be used over frame construction and is sometimes used over solid substrates which include concrete masonry, cast-in-place concrete and precast concrete. Whenever lath is used, it is best to apply three coats of stucco plaster for a total plaster thickness of about 7/8 inch.

If you won’t be using a metal lath but plan on applying three coats, 5/8 inch is the right thickness. The only time a two-coat application is used is over solid plaster bases without metal lath. The thickness for unit masonry is ½ inch; for cast-in-place or precast concrete, the thickness for two-coat application is 3/8 inch.

The three-coat system consists of using paper and stucco wire (lath) and applying several layers of stucco mix – a scratch coat, a brown coat and a top coat.

The lath used in this process is made out of asphalt infused paper, metal wire and some other materials like weep screed and plaster stop.

First, the weep screed and plaster stop should be placed appropriately on the wall. Weep screed prevents plywood from absorbing moisture from water that may splash onto the wall. The paper is needed if the stucco is being applied to a wall made out of wood.

Next, the stucco wire is placed and the scratch coat is applied, followed by the brown coat and the top coat.

One of the reasons stucco is popular is because it is an inexpensive product that can be applied to almost any surface. The versatility of the compound makes it coat all areas of your home without a lot of excess work or materials. Once applied stucco can last for years.

Stucco is also an easy material to colour. Pigmentations can be added to the mixture before it is applied to your home so you can create the colour of your choice. It can also be painted after it is applied to your exterior walls so you can change the colour of your home fairly easily.

Stucco is considered one of the most popular materials used in home exteriors nowadays. Compared to other materials, stucco is one people usually prefer due to the numerous benefits that make it the most practical and convenient option available. So, if you are interested in exterior house finishing, siding, or restoration, stucco might be exactly what you are looking for.

• Durability and sturdiness
• Easy to customize and design
• Inexpensive to install
• Easy to maintain in the long run
• Aesthetically pleasing
• Resistant to changes in climate and temperature

With exterior stucco, you can rest assured that your house will end up in an excellent condition for reasonable pricing. In addition, you can be confident that your home is in good hands when you choose Exterior by Design because your peace of mind is our main priority.

Although stucco is a cost effective material to use, repairing stucco can be quite expensive. The more you have to fix, the higher your maintenance costs will be. Poorly applied stucco can be challenging and pricey to correct. If you do not know what you are doing, it is always better to hire a professional to do the job.

Stucco, like other outdoor facades, requires regular maintenance. Over time, the stucco surface will crack, break, or crumble off your home’s exterior. Exposed areas are vulnerable to weather and critter damage. Open spots can create opportunities for moisture, insects, rodents, and other natural hazards to enter your home.

Poorly maintained stucco also loses its visual appeal once too much damage becomes visible. If there are highly visible cracks or bald spots on your home’s exterior, this will take away from the aesthetic look of your home. Regular maintenance is important to keep the outside of your home looking nice.

Stucco is able to keep up with the temperature you feel is best within your home for the needs that each season brings to Toronto.

Keeping Warm in the Winter & Cool in the Summer: Stucco has higher installation rates than almost all outdoor exteriors for the home due to its mix of unique and durable materials that no other exterior finish can compete with.

With being waterproof and heat resistant, stucco keeps unwanted temperatures where they belong: outside. During the cold winters expect to stay warm with top quality R-Value Stucco while keeping temperatures cool within your home on the hottest of days.

As long as your Toronto home is properly built for waterproofing, water, mold, and mildew are no match for exterior stucco.
No Decay with Stucco: Due to Stucco’s great resistance to water because of the hard exterior it withholds, stucco is both unaffected by any form of dampening or rotting.

Stucco is a high-quality exterior shield for your home as it creates a barrier immune to flaking, crumbling, and even humid climates for those extremely hot summers.
Anywhere within Toronto and we will be there! Call exterior by Design for a free estimate at (647) 222-1818.

Exterior stucco is an increasingly popular choice for homeowners in the Toronto area. And for good reason. With exterior stucco’s wide range of unique designs and textures, its durability, and its weather-resisting attributes, it brings beauty and character to homes in Oakville, Mississauga, Toronto, and Etobicoke that lasts for decades. Like any large home renovation project, applying exterior stucco to your home takes forethought, planning, and an expert stucco contractor. Before embarking on this time-consuming and costly project, any stucco contractor worth their salt will begin by undertaking a thorough examination of your home’s exterior. Every house is constructed differently and has hidden quirks and peculiarities that will affect how the stucco should be applied. These are a few of the things stucco contractors will look at before they begin work on your home.

Stucco is a natural, cost effective coating that not only protects your home but adds character and customization to your home’s exterior. While there are some drawbacks to using stucco, the benefits far outweigh any cons. Once applied properly to your outside walls, stucco will give you a visually appealing, unique look that will last for years while protecting your most valued possession.

Do-it-yourself applications are good if you do not know what you are doing. However, if you are inexperienced with stucco applications, or have large areas to cover, it is always better to hire an expert to do the job. Professionals will do the job properly the first time so you don’t have to face high repair costs later on.

Reputable businesses are also insured and guarantee their work. If cracking or bubbling occurs, they will fix it properly at no additional cost to you. This gives homeowners peace of mind.

At Exterior by Design, we can help you choose the best stucco for your home’s exterior surfaces. We are a proudly Canadian company that specializes in stucco applications and repairs. Our expert staff can help you create a unique, beautiful exterior that will last for years.

A quick comparison of different weathers vis-à-vis stucco installation will throw more light on the importance of choosing the right weather for installing stucco.

• Hot summer weather (temperature over 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 37.8 degree Celsius) can rapidly dry out the water in the stucco mixture that can develop cracks if not hydrated properly. Quick evaporation also means more water is required to keep the stucco mixture hydrated.
• Cracked stucco can lead to more damage to the wall and will require more time to fix thereby leading to longer work hours and increased labour cost.
• Spring too is not the best time, as, in recent years, spring has been wetter (received more rain and frost) than ever before that may hinder timely drying of stucco.
• Winters pose the problem of uneven and delayed drying as snow can cause stucco to freeze and crack while untimely showers can prolong the drying process.
• Cold weather also makes the stucco wall prone to efflorescence, which can cause further damage.

Looking at the above points, it is evident that fall is best suited for stucco installation, however, it is suggested to check the weather forecast in advance before starting any siding work.