You can completely change the look of your home exterior, by applying exterior Stucco. This is a great way to improve the unsatisfying look of your home’s exterior. It is attractive, long lasting, and you never have to paint it.
Photo by Nick Mehl Architecture – Look for exterior home pictures
But, what is Stucco?
Stucco is a fine plaster or cement that is commonly used as a wall covering or simply for decoration. It is made from a mixture of sand, lime and water, and it is a valuable exterior building material because of its durability and aesthetic appeal.
Applying exterior Stucco can cover up less appealing home exteriors. Stucco is fairly easy to apply. Some people use Stucco purely for decorative purposes, others for its durability.
But if you’re replacing your existing home’s exterior cladding it’s extremely important to do it right, because a Stucco exterior can give your residence the look of luxury for years to come.
Applying Exterior Stucco
Stucco can be applied to most any flat or curved surface with a minimum of preparation. Stucco is applied much like plaster. After the stucco dries, it is extremely durable.
In some Stucco works, acrylics and glass fibers are added to make the stucco more durable. Any home owner who has experience working with plaster will easily be able to apply exterior stucco.
Venetian Stucco – A Decorative Painting Type (howtobuildahouseblog.com)
Materials & Tools:
-concrete-bonding agent; pre-mixed Stucco; plastering trowel; finishing trowel; plaster rake
-putty knives; paint brushes; hammer; wood nails; 15 pound-roofing Felt; galvanized roofing nails;
-17-gauge metal netting; wire cutters
Stucco a Masonry or a Concrete Wall
1/ First brush a concrete bonding agent onto the wall, than allow a full day it to dry completely.
2/ When the bonding agent is dried, apply a thick layer (scratch coat) of stucco onto the wall directly from the trowel. – ¼ to ½ inch thick
Allow it a time (a few hours) to slightly harden.
3/ Then scratch this layer down evenly with a plaster rack, so that the stucco is about half as thick as it was to start with.
4/ Allow it time to harden for between 36 and 48 hours and periodically wet the surface to keep it moist.
5/ Apply the finish coat layer of Stucco with your trowel, making sure to smooth the edges with a putty knife. – 1/8 to ¼ inch thick.
6/ The finish coat can be finished to the desired texture, then allowed to cure for another 36 to 48 hours (periodically wet the surface to keep it moist). It is time to use your finishing trowel to smooth and texture the stucco wall however you like.
Stucco a Wood Wall
1/ Start with nailing 15-pound roofing felt over the structure. Use short wood nails to hold it in place.
2/ After the roofing Felt has been installed, cover the Felt with 17 Gauge Metal Netting and fit it to the wall, remove the excess with the wire cutters. The metal netting is applied by attaching it to the structure using galvanized roofing nails.
3/ Smear the Stucco onto the mesh. Make sure to force the stucco through the holes of the netting. – ¼ to ½ inch layer of mortar.
4/ After the mortar has slightly hardened, the next step is to use a plasterer’s rake to scratch the entire mortar coat to a depth of at least 1/8″ inch thick.
5/ When working with mortar, a slow and careful curing will work best and provide the greatest strength. Leave the coat to harden for about two full days. Moisten the wall every few hours.
6/ A flat finishing trowel can be used to apply a finish coat between 1/8″ and 1/4″ thick to the scratch coat. If a powdered pigment is desired, the pigment should have water added to it and be mixed completely before being added to the stucco.
7/ Let the wall cure for another two full days, again misting the wall evenly every few hours. Once the stucco is hardened you’re done.
If you wish the Stucco can be painted, but wait at least six weeks, and use a paint that is specifically formulated to cover stucco walls.
Remodeling Your House with Stucco
The Stucco surface change is a great time to install new windows. Now the new double pane windows can be used to enhance the look and increase energy savings.
In addition, an increasing trend in stucco design is to utilize decorative interior stucco wall elements that give an old world atmosphere. Many home owners use Stucco in remodeling of kitchens, fireplaces, chimney itself. These products make great fireplace surfaces up to the ceiling.
Also, with small changes to the fascia and soffits of the home, and the addition of stucco and stone, you will greatly enhance the beauty and value of your home.
