July 5, 2008
Stucco Exteriors
Q. I will be moving into a new home soon that needs to have the exterior updated. It currently has the original 40-year-old wood shingles. I would like to do a stucco process on the front, which I am seeing on more and more homes, and vinyl siding on the sides and rear. The house also needs to have all of the windows replaced. Some people are pushing me off this, saying stucco dents and discolors, and if repairs have to be made, it is difficult to match the original finish. I do like the architectural advantages to the material. What do you think? -Andrew Harwin, North Woodmere
A. I'm with you. I think a stucco finish is an excellent alternative to wood siding and vinyl siding. Stucco has been around since the 1950s, and the finish is quite durable. After all, it's cement.
However, there are two kinds of stucco finishes out there: the old, reliable cement stucco and the newer synthetic stucco, also known as EIFS (exterior insulation and finish systems). There have been some big problems with synthetic stucco, which was introduced to the United States in the 1970s, because the finishes would not allow the wood substrate it was applied on to breathe. The result was the wood substrate would rot.
Newer EIFS are attempting to solve this problem with a water-managed finishing system. In other words, the system is designed to allow improved breathability of wood so it won't rot. Instead of settling between the synthetic stucco and wood, water drains away to allow the panels to dry. Newer substrates are made of cement fiberboard, which supposedly stands up to water like a cement panel.
There is a big split on the use of synthetic stucco, and, quite frankly, I'm not sure what lies ahead for the industry.
If you must have stucco, be careful. The most important consideration should be installation. Hire an experienced contractor with a proven track record in stucco finishes.
In old-fashioned stucco applications, Portland cement plaster is applied either by hand or machine to an exterior wall in two, sometimes three, coats. It can be applied directly to concrete walls or on metal lath attached to wood frame construction. Portland cement is rugged and durable, and it can also be colored with a pigment that is added to the wet cement.
Depending on the application, stucco finishes can be 1/2-inch or 7/8-inch thick. These walls resist water and dents, but breathe for long-lasting durability.
Because traditional stucco is labor-intensive, it can be expensive. As an alternative, you might consider cement fiberboard. This siding product can give you the look of wood and the fire protection and durability of cement. Some manufacturers produce cement fiberboard panels with a stucco look. Cement fiberboard is not maintenance-free, however, and must be painted.
Try James Hardie Building Products, 26300 La Alameda, Suite 250, Mission Viejo, Calif. 92691, 1-888-JHARDIE or on the Web at www.hardie .com.
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