Although created for use as a waterproofing agent for buildings, Stucco is a material that has now developed into a highly decorative material that can be added to almost any home to give it a fresh contemporary look. As well as being waterproof, Stucco is a highly effective insulation material due to its highly rigid nature. However, as is the case with most things in life, once you’ve tried it once it’s on your wall, it’s on for life.

Stucco can be made into many different shapes and sizes depending on the application and is often applied in much the same way as it was traditionally used. Traditionally, Stucco was cut to size, allowed to dry, sanded to remove rough edges, and then hardened once thoroughly dried to create stucco pavers. Stucco is often used as a decorative mortar for traditional wall applications. However, it can also be used for modern-day decorative applications where its use is less necessary due to modern-day manufacturing techniques. Although Stucco is not entirely waterproof, it is highly resistant to the weather, making it ideal for outdoor applications. Areas of Stucco which have become loose or blown away should be repaired by a thorough restoration process using a heavy grade of Tampa Stucco Repair compound. You can also replace any damaged sections of Stucco, applying three layers of stucco repair mixture, and allowing the material to dry entirely before wall studs are placed.

Stucco can be painted, but care needs to be taken to ensure that the correct colours are chosen as different colours will have different effects on different types of buildings. For example, certain finishes would stand up better against bricks or concrete than other finishes. Once Stucco has been allowed to dry thoroughly, the next step would be to apply a top coat of Stucco paint which should ideally be a latex based paint as they are less likely to be toxic when wet. Topcoats should then be frequently re-applied to allow the Stucco to cure properly. Many top stucco contractors also recommend applying a sealant to the surface of the Stucco once it has been applied to prevent water from getting underneath the surface of the Stucco during high traffic areas.

Stucco finishes can either be applied directly to the building’s surface, or with the use of Stucco Siding. Stucco Siding consists of metal lath attached to wooden frames, with each piece of wood having a tiny gap for water to drain through once it has been applied. Metal lath tends to be more malleable, although this can make it easier for cracks to occur, as they can easily be carved out with chisels or a hammer. Cracks often appear inside the wood stucco, where they are caused by moisture seeping in from outside temperatures.

If a small scratch has occurred, such as the result of a road traffic accident, then a new stucco job is suitable. In many cases, the scratch coat can be applied over the existing finish, although pre-drilled holes will allow the metal lath to fit tightly around the wood, holding it in place and preventing it from deflecting rain and snow. If the damage is large, such as a dent caused by a vehicle door hitting the house, then the repair is more difficult. Generally speaking, if the damage is relatively minor, all you need is a new stucco panel to fill in the area.

Many people like the idea of using Stucco, especially on their new house that does not yet have any type of exterior finish. There are, however, some disadvantages to repairing your own Stucco. Stucco is very difficult to repair and the end results look very amateurish unless you are a professional. Secondly, the time involved may not justify the cost of hiring a contractor. Thirdly, the final product may not match your original design vision as the repaired area may look out of place.

The traditional methods of stucco installation still have their uses, especially when dealing with high traffic areas. Low maintenance stucco products such as latex rubber backed polyurethane are highly recommended over the traditional vinyl products. While these types of products will not last as long as the traditional stucco products, they are much more durable, low maintenance and are highly recommended for use in residential and commercial applications alike. This is because latex rubberized polyurethane is much more resistant to abrasion, which often occurs when the traditional stucco products are exposed to the elements.

Portland cement is widely used for the purpose of traditional stucco products. This is because it is easily available, easy to install, highly durable and highly resistant to abrasion. However, because Portland cement is such a good material it has been incorporated into modern day products such as Portland cement crayons. Modern stucco products will look much like their traditional counterparts but will be better-constructed, durable, low maintenance and more resistant to abrasion. As such, modern stucco products will outlast traditional products, offer a higher level of durability and are highly recommended for use in modern day buildings.

Mary Cook