The Dos and Don'ts of Applying Stucco

The Dos and Don’ts of Applying Stucco

November 15, 2019

Stucco is a lime, cement, water and sand mixture that has been covering homes for millennia. Its versatility, attractive look and excellent insulation make it a top choice for exteriors across the nation. Many varieties of stucco include additives such as glass fiber and acrylic strands to help strengthen the coating.

While stucco is a simple exterior, having a specialized stucco contractor perform your stucco installation in Bluffton, SC will ensure an even, durable and beautiful exterior. Here’s a list of stucco dos and don’ts in case you’re going to try your hand:

  • Setting up: If you’re working on a taller building, you’ll need scaffolding. A ladder won’t allow you to get to the entire area you need to access, and may result in a blotchy application. You’ll also need safety goggles.
  • The underlay: Stucco needs a solid base to adhere to—one that won’t move, no matter what. Contractors prefer to wrap the building with a house wrap that allows moisture to escape, or 15-pound roofing felt combined with 17-gauge wire mesh.
  • The scratch coat: This part of the stucco process is to give your building a base for the top coats to adhere. In this case, you should really have more than one person on hand to help. This ensures that the mixture won’t dry in between coats. Since the mixture is rather cumbersome to mix, it will also ensure that you can share the duties. Do one wall at a time and allow it to harden and cure.
  • The brown coat: We recommend doing a brown coat, which helps the topcoat bond to the scratch coat. For this, follow stucco instructions for a brown coat and let it cure for 24 to 48 hours, then wet the coat.
  • Finish coat: After you mix the finish coat, you can then add color. It’s best to mix the dye with water first, then mix, ensuring an even color throughout the entire mixture. We like to use a drill and wand for this step. Apply as directed. If you’re planning on stamping designs into the stucco, you can do so now.
  • Painting: The most important thing to do if you’re planning on painting your stucco is wait. You need about four or five weeks to make sure all of the moisture has escaped from the drying stucco. Use a latex concrete primer, and either brush or spray the primer over the stucco. The final coat can be sprayed or rolled on over the stucco.

We wouldn’t be surprised if you read this and decided it sounds like a lot of work. If you’ve decided that you’d rather leave the job to the pros, call us today!

Stucco installation in Bluffton, SC

Since 2005, Spring Construction has been a locally owned stucco contractor providing outstanding stucco installation in Bluffton, SC. We are glad to work on new construction as well as repairs on existing homes or buildings. We’ve completed stucco repairs and installations of all sizes on homes and commercial buildings. Call us today for a free estimate.

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