How to Stucco a House

Co-authored by Nick Yahoodain

Traditional stucco is simply a variety of concrete, applied in several layers to create a strong bond to the wall. Stucco is popular for many reasons, including its low cost, earthquake resistance, and breathability in humid climates. This article covers exterior stucco applications over a wooden or steel framework, or over a solid wall. This project is fairly advanced, but within the range of an experienced home handy worker.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Applying Stucco Over a Stud Wall

1
Check the weather forecast. The ideal weather conditions for applying stucco involve an overcast day with low wind, and temperatures of 50 to 60ºF (10–16ºC).^{[1]
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Research source} Delay the job if the temperature is expected to drop below 40ºF (4ºC) or rise above 90ºF (32ºC) in the next week.^{[2]
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- If the weather is sunny, store your stucco and sand under a tarp between uses. If they feel warm to the touch, don’t attempt to use either the stucco or the sand.
2
Put up sheathing materials. You may stucco over any rigid material attached to your support studs. The most common surfaces for stucco are plywood, oriented strand board (OSB), cement board, and exterior grade gypsum sheathing.^{[3]
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Research source} Make sure to follow local building codes while installing the sheathing material.
- It is possible to stucco over an open frame, but this results in a less even and less structurally secure wall. If you plan to go this route, drive nails halfway into the studs, spaced out vertically in 5-6 inch (13-15 cm) intervals. String line wire horizontally along the protruding nails.^{[4]
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3
Cover the plywood with building paper and come back over that with a dimple screen or other rain screen. You may also use a draining house wrap such as Tyvek drainwrap. Most building codes require at least 2 layers of "Grade D" building paper or an equivalent water-resistant barrier. You may also use 15 lb per 100 square foot roofing felt (6.8 kg per 9.3 square meters) or some types of housewrap, but do not use a plastic housewrap not intended for stucco.^{[5]
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Research source} Overlap the paper by at least 4 inches (10 cm) and fasten with roofing nails.^{[6]
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- Start at the bottom and overlap the paper or felt as you work your way up.
- While not required by most codes, an air gap between the 2 layers is highly recommended to prevent wall rot. A 3D plastic drainage mat between the 2 barriers is one way to accomplish this.^{[7]
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- Using a screen can help prevent cracks from forming in your stucco later on.^{[8]
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  Expert Source
  
  Nick Yahoodain
  General Contractor
  Expert Interview. 6 October 2020.}
4
Install weep screeds and casing bead. Install casing bead as a plaster stop at the corners of doors and windows.^{[9]
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Research source} Install weep screed at the base of the wall for better drainage.^{[10]
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- For this project, these 2 materials are not interchangeable.^{[11]
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5
Attach metal lath. Selecting the correct lath and installing it properly is one of the more difficult parts of this project. Consulting a local contractor is recommended. In most cases, you should nail or staple the lath to the studs (not the sheathing) at no less than 7-inch (18 cm) intervals. Overlap the lath by at least ½ inch (1.25 cm) along the long side and 1 inch (2.5 cm) at the end, but not much more.^{[12]
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- Be sure to use only galvanized roofing nails or staples designed for use with stucco. Otherwise, your nails or staples will rust and pull loose.
- In all exterior stucco applications, you must use G-60 hot-dipped galvanized lath.^{[13]
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- Choose lath with at least ¼ inch (6mm) furring, or make up for non-furred lath using furring strips or furring nails.^{[14]
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  Research source} Without this furring, the stucco will not adhere properly to the lath.
6
Install control joints. To reduce cracking, divide the wall into rectangular panels using control joints, spacing them no more than 18 ft (5.5 m) apart. Also install control joints wherever 2 dissimilar walls meet.^{[15]
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Research source} If the lath is expanded metal (rather than stucco mesh), cut it behind each control joint to fully separate this rigid material into panels.
- Make the panels as close to square as possible, and no larger than 144 ft² (13 m²).^{[16]
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7
Mix the scratch coat. Mix the scratch coat from 1 part cement material and 2¼ to 4 parts plaster sand. If you are using Type I Portland cement instead of plastic cement, you'll need to add your own hydrated lime; count the final cement and lime mixture as the "1 part cement."^{[17]
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Research source} Mix with just enough potable water that you can trowel the stucco; any more, and it is likely to sag.
- Make sure to use cool water when mixing your stucco, especially if your hose has been sitting in the sun. If the water is hot or warm, it will cause your stucco to dry too quickly.
- The aggregate in the cement should be clean and well graded.
8
Trowel the scratch coat into the lath. Apply the scratch coat with a square trowel at a 45º angle, firmly pushing it into the lath. This layer should be ⅜ inch (9.5 mm) thick.^{[19]
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- The first scratch coat should be thick enough to cover your wire grid.
- You may find it easier to use a hawk for some portions of the application.
9
Score the scratch coat lightly. The first coat is called the "scratch coat" because of the shallow, horizontal lines scored into it by a notched trowel. This will ensure a good bond with the next coat.
10
Wet cure the scratch coat. When stuccoing over stud construction, the thick scratch coat must be allowed to cure for 48 hours. During this time, it is critical to protect the stucco from drying out. Mist or fog the stucco twice daily unless the relative humidity is above 70%. Protect the wall with a windscreen or sunshade if necessary.
- You can also use a rotating lawn sprinkler to keep the stucco damp. Keep the sprinkler turned down to a low setting and pull it away from the house enough so that it keeps the surface damp without soaking it.
11
Mix and apply the brown coat. Mix another batch using 1 part cement and 3 to 5 parts sand. Apply another ⅜ inch (9.5 mm) layer of stucco and screed to an even thickness, for a total thickness so far of ¾ inch (19 mm).^{[20]
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Research source} Once the brown coat loses its sheen, float it smooth.
12
Wet cure for at least 7 days. Wet cure as you did the scratch coat, but this time allow at least 7 days. The first 48 hours are the most important, but you should continue to mist or fog it for this whole period, whenever it looks like it's about to dry.
13
Cover with the finish coat. This final ⅛ inch (3 mm) layer determines the texture of your stucco wall.^{[21]
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Research source} Apply and float it as you did the brown coat, but this time use 1 part cement to 1½ to 3 parts sand. You may purchase a finish which already contains pigment, or trowel on a plain finish and paint over it once it has had at least a week to cure.
- Colored stucco finishes work best in pastel shades.
- If the finish is colored, wetting the surface during floating may cause mottling. A fog coat may make the color more even.
- Many decorative textures are possible when applying this final layer. Judge the appearance from at least 30 feet (9m) back before settling on a look.^{[22]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Applying Stucco Over Concrete or Masonry

1
Prepare the wall's surface. You may apply stucco directly over these rigid, solid surfaces, but only if the surface is roughly textured and absorbent. If the wall does not absorb a sprinkle of water, or if there's obvious surface contamination, wash the surface thoroughly. If the wall is coated in paint or sealer, or if it's too smooth to support stucco, try one of the following treatments:^{[23]
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- Acid etching.
- Sandblasting.
- Bush hammer or roughing machine (for unpainted, smooth surfaces).^{[24]
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- Applying a bonding agent, referring to specific product instructions. Do not use a bonding agent over water-soluble paint.^{[25]
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- If there is any doubt that the wall can support the stucco, apply the stucco as you would to a stud wall, attaching metal lath and plastering over it.
2
Wet the surface. Wet the wall right before you apply the first coat of plaster, preferably with a fog spray. This improves the suction bond and reduces the amount of water the wall absorbs from the plaster, preventing premature drying. The surface should be damp, but not soaked.^{[26]
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- Delay the job if the next week of weather involves freezing temperature, hot weather (above 90ºF / 32ºC), or high wind. These conditions will interfere with the curing process.
3
Mix the scratch coat. This coat should be 1 part cement material (including lime) and 2¼ to 4 parts sand.^{[27]
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Research source} Plastic cement, which has been pre-mixed with lime, is usually the easiest to mix and work with. Combine this with plaster sand from a dry material yard.
- Only add enough water to allow you to trowel the plaster, or it may sag or fail to stick to the wall.
4
Apply and score the scratch coat. Trowel on a layer ¼ inch (6.4 mm) thick.^{[28]
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Research source} Score this with shallow, horizontal lines using a notched trowel, keeping the tool perpendicular to the wall. These grooves will help the next coat bond onto the surface.
- Acid-etched surfaces (among others) may not be quite rough enough for a strong bond with this method. Instead, dash on the scratch coat using a cement gun, or by whipping it on with a fiber brush or whisk broom. This forces out air to create a stronger bond.^{[29]
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- Some builders combine the scratch coat and brown coat into one base coat. If you choose to do this, plan on a total stucco thickness of about ⅜ inch (9.5 mm) for cast concrete, and ½ inch (12.7 mm) for unit masonry.^{[30]
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  Research source} Allow about ¼ inch (6.4 mm) of this thickness for the finish coat.^{[31]
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5
Apply the brown coat after a few hours. With modern cement on a rigid surface, there is no need to wait for the scratch coat to cure completely. For a stronger bond, trowel on the second, "brown" coat as soon as the scratch coat is rigid enough to resist cracking, usually after 4 or 5 hours.^{[32]
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Research source} Rod and float this surface until it is level and ¼ inch (6.4 mm) thick.^{[34]
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- The brown coat mix should contain 1 part cement materials and 3 to 5 parts sand.^{[35]
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- It may help to compact this layer with a shingle float.
6
Keep the brown coat moist while it cures. Over the next 48 hours, it is critical to keep the stucco moist. If the relative humidity of the air is below 70%, you will need to mist or fog the surface once or twice a day.^{[36]
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Research source} Wait at least 7 days for the brown coat to cure, wetting periodically if it begins to dry prematurely. Some organizations recommend 10 or even up to 21 days of drying for even more crack resistance.
- In extremely hot or windy conditions, put up a windbreak and sun shade. You may even need to cover the moistened surface with polyethylene.
7
Put on the finish coat. The decorative finish coat contains 1 part cement materials and 1½ to 3 parts sand.^{[37]
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Research source} Optionally, it may include pigment as well to add color. Trowel and float this on in a thin layer, about ⅛ inch (3 mm) thick.^{[38]
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Research source} Allow it to cure completely before painting (if desired), following the same moist curing instructions above if the weather is hot.
- If you’re not experienced with applying textured finishes, a texture roller is a great option for achieving high-quality results. Apply the roller evenly over the final coat.

Expert Q&A
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Question

How can I keep stucco from cracking?

Nick Yahoodain
General Contractor
Nick Yahoodain is a General Contractor and the CEO of Advanced Builders & Contractors in Los Angeles, California. With over 16 years of experience, Nick specializes in large residential projects such as new construction, developments, major renovations, additions, and hillside construction. Advanced Builders & Contractors is a member of the BBB, is licensed by the Contractors State License Board, and is fully bonded and insured. Advanced Builders & Contractors has been featured on NBC News, Elle Decor, Architectural Digest, and Voyage LA.

Nick Yahoodain

General Contractor

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

One thing you can do is while you're framing the wall, put some sort of a screen up while it's still open. That will make the stucco more flexible, so it's less likely to crack if there's a shift in the earth under your home.

Warnings

If your house has vents along the bottom or a lattice that provides ventilation for a crawlspace under the house, make sure not to cover the ventilation with stucco. The stucco will trap moisture under your home and cause the floors and joists to rot.

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