How thick should exterior stucco be?
The correct thickness is then 5/8 inch. Two-coat applications are only for use over solid plaster bases without metal lath. For unit masonry, that thickness is ½ inch. For cast-in-place or precast concrete, the thickness for two-coat work is 3/8 inch.
How thick is a coat of stucco?
Without a mesh lath in place, the foundation must be plaster or concrete of some kind. 3 layers are necessary for all but a plaster base. The thickness ranges from 3/8″ to 5/8″.
What is a one coat stucco system?
The term one coat stucco refers to a blend of Portland cement, sand, fibers, special proprietary chemicals, and water. This method speeds up the three coat stucco process by combining the scratch and brown coat into a single application of 3/8″ to 1/2″ thick.
Can stucco be applied in one coat?
Stucco provides a durable, low maintenance finish that adds lots of character to a house. It can be applied with either one coat or three coat process, but there is some confusion about the methods.
Can stucco be 3 thick?
What happens if stucco is too thin?
In cases where the stucco is too thin or too thick, cracking may occur. Cracked stucco allows moisture intrusion which then may lead to stucco deterioration or damage, especially in cold climates with freezing and thawing cycles.
How thick is stucco coat?
Why does stucco fall off?
When moisture does accumulate behind the stucco, it will soften any material it touches, which will cause the stucco to start breaking and falling off, sometimes in small quantities and other times in larger sheets.
Should stucco touch the ground?
When installing stucco, you should ensure that it never touches the ground, or in other words, is below-grade. There needs to be a minimum of two inches of space between the concrete and the stucco for houses that rest on concrete foundations.
Are hairline cracks in new stucco normal?
This crack pattern is often a sign of foundation settlement. In short, hairline stucco cracks are common and can be easily repatched. Most are not a serious indicator of foundation damage or structural disrepair. However, hairline cracks caused by foundation settlement will likely reappear after the repair and worsen.
How far should stucco be above grade?
4”
Stucco should terminate a minimum of 4” above grade. This said, in many, many places, it is installed to- or beneath grade with no problems visible.
Is it normal for the brown coat of stucco to crack?
Application of the brown coat before the scratch coat has properly cured, and failure to make the additional trowel‐float pass, are common causes of cracking in the finished stucco. The finish coat may be either Portland cement plaster or acrylic, typically 1/8‐in.
Should I worry about hairline cracks in stucco?
Do you need to fix hairline cracks in stucco?
Stucco is a cement-based siding that can easily crack that soaks in water and cause water intrusion. Repairing hairline stucco cracks is important for regular home maintenance.
Is it normal for stucco to have hairline cracks?
In short, hairline stucco cracks are common and can be easily repatched. Most are not a serious indicator of foundation damage or structural disrepair. However, hairline cracks caused by foundation settlement will likely reappear after the repair and worsen.
What is the maximum thickness of stucco?
Without lath, the maximum is 5/8-inch for walls and 1/8-inch for ceilings. Plaster may be applied thicker, if lath is used.
What is one coat stucco?
The One Coat System, A Quick Overview Of The Process A one coat stucco system consists of paper, foam backing, wire and two coats of exterior stucco. It uses the Styrofoam in place of a “scratch coat” that is typical in a three coat stucco system. It is an alternative to the three coat system and has its advantages and disadvantages.
What is the minimum thickness of stucco?
The building code has a minimum requirement for the thickness of Traditional Hard Coat stucco, it is 7/8 of an inch. Traditional Hard Coat stucco is the most common type of stucco cladding used in the United States, it is applied in 3 layers over metal lath:
What happens if stucco is too thick?
If the stucco is not as thick as it should be, then there is a reduction in its resistance to fires, which becomes critical when the home is of wood frame construction. Overly thick stucco may weigh so much that it causes the wire or metal lath to sag in places.
What is the substrate of a stucco wall?
If stucco was being applied to a court yard block wall, then the substrate would be the block (CMU’s) themselves. If stucco was being applied directly onto a concrete poured in place wall or a precast wall, then the concrete wall itself would be the substrate.