Does the Weather Make a Difference? In What Temperatures Can Stucco Be Applied?

Depending on what you’ve heard about stucco home exteriors, you might be under the impression that stucco installation in Bluffton, SC can only be completed in warm weather. After all, stucco is extremely popular in the American Southwest, where temperatures can regularly reach triple digits. Or you might have been admiring your Bluffton neighbor’s stucco exteriors, but assume you’ll have to wait until spring rolls around to refinish your home.

You might be surprised to find out that stucco can be applied in cold weather as well as warm. When the stucco is properly designed, mixed and installed, you’re guaranteed a beautiful and crack-free exterior no matter what the weather might entail—as long as it’s above freezing.

When it’s 40 above

Stucco can crack when the water content of the cement freezes, suddenly. In fact, building codes provide that a stucco installation must be protected from freezing temperatures for at least 24 hours. Generally, stucco contractors can work in temperatures of 40 degrees Fahrenheit or above.

This is because of how stucco is made—it’s formed with cement, which needs water to make a paste. This water content is what could potentially freeze if the temperatures are too low during installation, drying and setting. When the temperatures are too cold, the water will freeze before the cement plaster can fully set. That’s what leads to cracks and other damage in a stucco exterior.

Some contractors will counteract the cold weather by heating the water used to make the stucco cement paste. This is generally an accepted practice so long as the water never goes above 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, stucco should never be applied to frozen exteriors.

When you’re interviewing cold weather stucco installation contractors in Bluffton, SC, here are a few questions to ask:

• Cold weather techniques: Your stucco contractor should be able to tell you not only how they apply stucco in cold weather, but also what kind of warranty and workmanship guarantee their installation carries. You should also ask what happens if the temperatures drop too much—a good contractor will have a backup plan that keeps the cold weather in mind.
• Antifreeze: You may wish to inquire about whether your stucco contractors in Bluffton, SC use antifreeze in their cold weather stucco applications. This practice should only happen according to strict manufacturer’s recommendations.
• Acrylic coats: If your stucco application requires an acrylic protective coating, that will require a certain amount of heat to cure properly.

Cold weather stucco installation in Bluffton, SC

Are you interested in refinishing your home’s exterior during the winter and fall? Choose stucco, and choose Spring Construction for your cold weather stucco installation in Bluffton, SC. Our team offers stucco and EIFS installations, backed by years of experienced and an unbeatable 10-year transferable warranty. No job is too big, too small or too complex. We’ve done it all! Call us today to find out more about stucco exterior and to get a free estimate. We look forward to working with you.

Categorised in: Stucco