Using stucco for your home’s exterior
Jan21Written by:
1/21/2009 10:00 PM
Home builders looking at home facing material would do well to consider the durability and aesthetic value of stucco. The material first became popular in the American Southwest, where it was extremely efficient at keeping cool air inside and heat outside. In northern winters, it works equally well at keeping the cold and wind outside. The composition of stucco is very simple: Portland cement, sand, lime and water, mixed to the consistency of mud. No wonder many home builders and buyers consider stucco the facing material of first choice.
The trick with stucco is finding a licensed professional stucco mason to do the actual application. The process requires putting three layers over wire mesh and building felt, allowing each layer to cure slowly. A minimum of seven days is considered typical. As stucco needs to be applied within a specific temperature range,and with great care given to the curing process, you’ll need to rely on your mason’s judgment for the timing of each layer. Properly applied and cured, your stucco facing can easily last 100 years.
Because stucco has such a simple composition, the primary expenditure will be the stucco mason’s expertise and time. Several estimates should be obtained before making a decision on the right mason for the job. Once the application is underway, you’ll find it no more inconvenient that any other home construction project. There’s no doubt that stucco adds to the value of the completed home. One contractor estimated that he averaged $20,000 in added value for each of seven houses he built with stucco cladding. The beauty of the finish is the obvious short-term benefit-the durability and insulation of stucco provide unbeatable long-term benefits. And stucco is the perfect finish for the Art and Crafts Style bungalows that are currently making resurgence in many neighborhoods. You’ll be surprised at the number of textures and patterns you can select from.
Remember, stucco, for all its advantages, is best applied by a licensed professional who has had lots of experience in applying the material. He can avoid such pitfalls as cracking and water seepage. Most important, he’ll provide a finish that will bring you and your family years of value, comfort and beauty. Stucco is a natural choice-a choice you’ll be proud to live with.