Traditionally, stucco goes on in 3 layers: Scratch Coat, Brown Coat, & Finish Coat and is around 3/4" or 1" thick. More modern "stucco" walls are done with EIFS (Exterior Insulation & Finishing Systems) - aka "Dryvitt" - where a very thin coat of plasticized stucco- almost think paint- is applied over rigid insulation.
Our stucco is a hybrid. We have the rigid insulation on the outside of our structural wall sheathing, but we have been using a 2 coat system of fiberglass-reinforced stucco that will be about 1/2" to 3/4" thick. It offers good fire protection, better flexibility (to reduce cracking) and with just 2 coats, a quicker installation than old-fashioned stucco.
Some days, Nathan has had help. Kip or Keith has run the mixer and hauled up buckets of "mud" while Nathan puts it on the walls. Most days though, Nathan is doing it all- mixing, hauling, applying, and texturing. In a typical day, Nathan puts up about 10 sacks of stucco- at 80# each, plus water, that's about 1000 pounds! Three days in a row of that and he's ready for a break!
Here's the blow-by-blow.
More to come later!
AND.....drumroll.... they finished the stucco (first coat) today! the finish coat will go on in the spring!
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ReplyDeleteI have a crew installing stucco and I'm worried they are not putting enough anchors to secure the foam and wire. Looking at your pics compared to mine I have 1/4 of the anchors. They have complained to me that it is hard to hammer the anchors in block. I would think they could drill a pilot hole slightly smaller than the size of the anchor to make it easier. Luckily they're not at the stage of applying stucco yet. I think I need to have a talk with them.
ReplyDeleteHi Corey, I'll have Nathan respond to this. He knows the technical side of this better than I do. What thickness of foam are they nailing through?
ReplyDeleteHi i am curious about two things. What is the thickness of your insulation? Also what fasteners did you use to fasten the insulation. and i guess i would like to know the final outcome ,are you happy overall? thanks
ReplyDeletejames
It's a complicated question- we design whole-wall assemblies, get them approved and coordinated w the respective manufacturers and then install them, as specified. Changing one part affects the whole thing.
ReplyDeleteIe: we have a double stud wall R-44, 5/8" OSB, sealed WRB, 1.5" XPS insul, galvanized wire mesh, w ringshank cap nails on 12" spacing, 1/2" stucco base and 1/4" stucco finish coat.
Sounds like maybe you don't have a spec that you and your crew are working with. Feel free to give me a call if you want- I'd be glad to help you get one together that makes sense for your situation. 406 272-2575
thanks for the quick response. I am just a home owner looking to apply traditonal stucco over 2" of styrofoam. I am doing it myself and prefer the look and performance of traditioal stucco, but it seems like many of the distributors prefer acrylic eifs systems and dont agree with the way i am doing things. I have wood studs 16"oc and 3/4 shiplap sheathing a layer of house wrap and covered by 2" of xps insulation. I was planning on using galvanized wire mesh and galvanized screws with galvanized washers. Then a scratch, brown and finish coat. I was just wondering which are better screws or nails and why.
DeleteHi James. Why don't you give Nathan a call. He likes to have a lot of information before making suggestions!
DeleteHello, is there some way of contacting you by e-mail or ??? My wife and I have been building a house in Vermont for 4 years now. I am having a problem covering foam around the foundation. I am thinking stucco. No one around here had done this. No one can tell me if it will work, how strong it will be (to take a lawn mower hit), if I need a backer (Hardie can't be used below grade), .... I am just trying to find someone who has done this. Thanks ...... Mike
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