Stucco

Most commonly used on a homes exterior, stucco is a finishing plaster-type adhesive, traditionally made by combining sand, lime and water but often made today with cement, water, and sand. Noted for its economy, versatility, ease of application, and durability, stucco is a very popular choice of house finishes. Centuries ago, they used ancient stucco for both interior and exterior applications. The use of exterior stucco helped them keep their homes cool by reflecting the heat.

Many stucco companies make a variety of stucco plaster, such as stucco Lucido, stucco Veneziano, and stucco Antico. Stucco Antico is non-toxic, synthetic stucco, which you can tint to virtually any color, including rich, deep colors. Applying stucco Antico is easier than applying some types of stucco because of its creamy and smooth texture. Applying a top coat to stucco Antico also makes it washable and very durable.

Applying exterior stucco and stucco trim or stucco siding, is an application that most do-it-yourself homeowners have no problem doing themselves. Even for people that already know how to apply stucco, it is important to consider the surface type that needs covering. How to stucco depends upon the existing walls. Application methods very when covering concrete, brick, block, wood, and other materials.

Preventive maintenance and stucco repair will keep your homes exterior looking great and extend the life of the stucco. Although painting stucco will fill any tiny hairline cracks less than a credit-card width, anything larger requires an elastic type sealant that you brush onto the stucco. Serious stucco problems, such as wider movement cracks or loose framing require a professional repairperson. You cannot fix these problems with paint or patches.

When doing stucco repairs on your home, make sure the temperature will remain about forty degrees Fahrenheit. In hot weather, you need to keep any stucco repairs damp, at approximately ninety percent humidity, for two or more days, by either covering or shading the area. This way your stucco does not dry too quickly and crack. To prevent water damage to your house, clean your stucco after the repairs are done and not before.

The best paint choice for painting or repainting stucco is a good quality acrylic latex paint. Purchase specially formulated paint made specifically for painting stucco to save you problems in the end. Maintaining your beautiful stucco house by repairing, washing, or painted it when needed will preserve your homes beauty and curb appeal.