About STUCCO
Strength & beauty
Traditional stucco provides a tough exterior that resists
attack — from woodpeckers to weed wackers, to grocery carts. That inherent
toughness is beautifully complemented by the variety of colors and textures
available. Whether it's your business or your home, appearance is an important
consideration in selecting a wall cladding. You can select a color and
texture consistent with the message and image you wish to convey.
versatility of design & aesthetic appeal
Aesthetic
appeal and versatility of design have for centuries captured the imagination
of architects and builders. Portland cement plaster (stucco) has inspired
designers to new levels of artistic expression in a variety of building
projects — used alone or
in combination with other traditional building materials such as stone,
brick or wood. Portland cement plaster can be applied to most flat or curved
surfaces, inside or outside in any structure or building, lending itself
to innovative and creative solutions. Any project can be individualized.
Color & Texture
The finish possibilities are infinite. Stucco is unique
among the decorative finishing materials. It can be used to provide highlights,
depth and continuity. A nearly unlimited palette of colors that never
need painting is available to provide a uniform, maintenance-free finish
for your most lavish designs. Imagination is the only limitation.
Color is determined by selecting cement and aggregate
color, and quite often modified by adding mineral oxide pigments to the
plaster mix. Texture is achieved by selecting aggregate size, controlling
finish mix consistency, and using special treatment techniques during and
after application of the finish coat plaster. Texture gives substance and
character to the plaster surface — adding highlights,
depth, continuity, segmentation, and even achieving the look of a completely
different construction material, such as wood timbers, brick, or stone
masonry construction.
Application
Stucco is applied either by hand or machine to exterior and interior wall surfaces. It may be applied directly to a solid base such as masonry or concrete walls, or it can be applied to metal lath attached to frame construction, solid masonry, or concrete construction. Applied to metal lath, three coats form a 7/8-inch total thickness. A vapor-permeable, water-resistant building paper separates the plaster and lath from water-sensitive sheathing or framing. Cementitious stucco has high impact resistance and sheds water, but it also breathes, allowing water vapor to escape. It is a proven system that works in all climates.
long-term value
Portland cement plaster is the most inexpensive wall finish by far. Its proven long-term value has been time tested and well documented. Stucco is the most durable and long-lasting wall finish providing years of maintenance-free beauty. Stucco is also easy and inexpensive to repair. Re-stucco of existing buildings easily allows change to the appearance of color and texture, giving new character and variety to old buildings.
When you see all that stucco has to offer you realize it is "a hard system to beat."
