Stucco homes stand out. Whether you’re just looking around the neighborhood or seriously shopping for a new home, you’ll notice these houses, with their attractively seamless walls and subtle colors. As one of the oldest building materials around, stucco gets plenty of attention, both good and bad. What’s it really all about?
What is stucco? Stucco is a wall coating similar to plaster. In fact, “plaster siding” is another name for stucco. Although it’s used mostly to cover frame construction on the outside, you will occasionally see stucco finishes for interior walls, as well.
For exterior stucco, the traditional application includes up to 4 layers — the dash (base) coat, scratch coat, brown coat, and finish coat — although newer methods require only 1 or 2 coats.
Each coat is formed of the same substances: — Portland cement — Hydrated lime — Fine builder’s sand — Water — Fiber, if greater strength is desired — Polymers, where increased flexibility is needed
However, the amount of each ingredient varies with the type of coat. Mineral oxide pigment may be added to the finish coat, for colored stucco homes. Synthetic stucco is also available, but some home improvement professionals say this material leads to increased moisture problems.
Interior stucco finishes come as special pre-measured, powdered mixes. Just add water and spray the mixture on.
Advantages of stucco homes Durability. Stucco is resistant to fire, rot, mold, impact, and termite infestation. Depending on local climate conditions, the finish on stucco homes can last as long as 100 years.
Sustainability. The ingredients for stucco finishes are easily obtained from local, sustainable sources.
Sound resistance. Stucco siding buffers sound coming from outside your home — a major advantage if you live near a busy street.
Color retention. The long-lasting pigment blended into stucco finishes will eliminate the need to repaint your house every few years.
Texture. Stuccos finishes can be applied in your choice of texture to give your home a unique, seamless look.
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