Stucco consists mainly of portland cement, sand and water and is similar to concrete.
Stucco is environmentally safe and clean; allows for air infiltration; is a barrier to termites; does not burn, providing increased fire protection; and stucco can be easily repaired. Stucco provides a solid hard wall that offers security and protects against the weather. Stucco loves water and will continue to harden for 40 years.
We are using the Three Coat Stucco System. The stucco starts with the lath (rhymes with bath). Lathing begins with a metal weep screed that is installed around the bottom. Next, the exterior walls are wrapped with a weather resistant black paper similar to roofing paper. The purpose of the black paper is to create a back-up weather resistant membrane just in case any water gets past the stucco. If any water does get past the stucco, the water will run down the face of the black paper and exit through the metal weep screed at the bottom. Next, a metal woven wire (looks like chicken wire) is installed over the black paper. The purpose of the woven wire is to support the newly applied wet stucco until it can dry. After the lath has been completed the stucco is applied in three layers referred to as scratch, brown and texture coats. Color can be added to the texture coat.
