Help I’m confused about “Authenic Stucco”: Why did the very old homes not have any expansion joints, but the newer homes require expansion joints?. Does “Authenic Stucco” require wood lathe toped with wire mesh?
Also does “Authenic Stucco” cost move the brick?
I’m not interested in the “Syenthic Stucco”
Thank in advance
Cloudbuster
Replies
Depends where you are. Round Philly stucco is a bit less than brick (3.50-4.50 per square foot vs. brick maybe 8-9 ish per square foot. I have not priced out brick in a long time)
Real stucco is a 3 coat cementous stucco coating on top of a wire mesh (self furring) and on top of drainage barriers.
If you are going to put stucco on your home and care about it not rotting away, go to buildingscience.com and read as much as you can especially the stuff from Joe Lstiburek. There are articles in many of the trade magazines as well written by Joe.
I think the one that enlightened me was in JLC several years ago.
Not to scare you but dont depend on the contraactors to put the stuff on correctly. Depends where you are. It is a careful orchestration between the framer, window installers, siding and capping contractor and stucco contractor. Then you need to make sure the electric, plumbing, and HVAC contractors dont poke holes that will leak.