STUCCO
Posted on January 1, 2021 at 12:00 PM
What Is Stucco
Stucco is a common material that we apply on the inner or outer surfaces of buildings. It’s a hard and durable material that resists rot and fungus. People love to use Stucco as an exterior material on their homes because it is very affordable.
If you are in a dry area, then using a Stucco exterior has many benefits. The stucco is fire resistant and will remain there for a longer time as the item is known in the construction industry for being a reliable material. If you apply stucco coating perfectly, you won’t need time to time maintenance. Thus, stucco saves your time and cost.
Stucco, also known as Portland Cement Plaster, is made from four different parts. These items include Portland cement, sand, lime, and water. The addition of lime differs from cement and has a huge impact on overall properties. You must use some other item for strength because stucco is less-known for its strength. People often use bricks or wood for this purpose.
Uses of Stucco
Before we jump into the types of stucco, we must see common uses of stucco in the industry. People often use stucco as decorative material because it forms classic textures. Some people need stucco coating to keep the interior insulated against hot or cold air as per the weather.
Since stucco is a cheaper material and is easy to maintain, people love to use it. In the North, people use stucco to keep their home insulated against the cold and reduce their heater bill. The design, appearance, finishing, and texture is that impress most people.
Types of Stucco
Stucco can come in a variety of types as each engineer has their way of applying. However, we can classify stucco into two broader types. One of them is a hard coat system while the other one is an EIFS system. When you see the finished coating, both may seem similar. However, they differ in quality and properties.
Hard Coat Stucco System
As the name suggests, this type of coating is harder than the other and has earned its name. The hard coat system has a cemented base before the usual finish. Thus, the base keeps the overall coating harder and more durable.
There are further two main types of hard coating. One of them is a three-coat system while another is one coat system. Three coat system is more durable while the size is around 7/8”. On the other hand, one coat system includes mixing all the materials at once and apply a single coat. It is easy to apply but the thickness is only 3/8”.
EIFS Stucco System
EIFS stands for Exterior Insulation and Finish System. This method doesn’t include the use of cement and lacks a hard coat. EIFS system uses thin layers of other modified materials to complete its cladding.
A hard coat is known to absorb water while the main property of EIFS coating is that it blocks water. It will keep the water on the outside to keep the inner part dryer.
References:
https://trustedpros.ca/articles/stucco/what-is-stucco-and-how-is-it-used
https://thestuccoguy.com/different-types-of-stucco/