About Stucco

• Stucco is a building material that is a mixture of cement, lime and sand. Other ingredients are sometimes added for additional strength or texture. Stucco is much like plaster, but plaster is used for interior wall coatings and stucco is used for exterior wall coatings. The material is spread over wood framing, often with plastic or wire mesh to help the material resist cracking. The basic stucco material is white or gray, but many pigments are added to create a variety of colors.
  
  

Mixing Stucco

• Many premixed stucco products are available, but they are much more expensive than simply mixing the basic ingredients yourself. Portland cement, hydrated lime and sand are widely available at hardware and home improvement stores. Generally, three parts of sand, one part of Portland cement and one-half part hydrated lime is all that’s needed to make a good, standard stucco mix for most uses. The best type of sand to use for mixing stucco is plaster sand. This type is coarser than masonry sand and adds a heavier consistency to the material. Add enough water to make a ball that easily holds its shape, according to home improvement expert Tim Carter.
  
  

Applying Stucco

• Stucco can be applied to exterior walls by hand with a trowel and hawk or by mechanized spraying equipment. Apply the stucco to the wall, applying pressure as you spread the stucco over the surface. Changing directions as you go will help to release the suction on the material. Using a stucco sprayer is much easier. The material is sprayed onto the wall in small areas and then troweled smooth by hand. The best weather for working with stucco is when the temperature is slightly warm, about 50 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Very sunny, hot or breezy weather will cause the stucco to dry too quickly. Additional coats are added as needed.
  
  

Care of Stucco

• Periodically wash the stucco surface to remove dirt and plant materials. Gaps around windows, doors, vents or electrical equipment that occur from expansion and contraction can be filled with caulk material. Inspect the surface for cracks, holes or other damage. If these are significant, consult with a stucco contractor for repairs so that the damage does not increase over time. Depending on weather conditions in your area, the stucco may need repainting every four years to keep the surface material protected.