I just put new vinyl siding on my house and now would like to apply a stucco finish over a brick veneer on my foundation. Is it necessary to put a wire mesh between the brick and stucco or will it do fine applying it directly to the brick as long as everything is solid (no loose mortor or brick)?
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Is it necessary to put a wire mesh between the brick and stucco
"Necessary" will be a hard call.
I, personally, can't imagine skipping lath any more than I could imagine skipping the "brown" and scratch coats that go with the lath.
Remember to treat the transitions at the top and bottom of the wall with the respect they are due. Letting water in at the top is as bad as not setting it "loose" at the bottom--flashing and expansion joints are really required, and need planning in advance.
Soak the brick before applying the brown coat. Don't let it cure in direct sunlight.
If it's block, you always mesh it. Brick is not totally necessary but I would.
Any kind of joint lines underneath that comprise different materials are subject to movement due to different absorption of heat/cold and moisture. The mesh ties the third material into one unit and you avoid seeing the joint lines eek through from the sub material.
Think of the brick as sheet rock, the mesh as tape, and the stucco as joint comp.
Make sure you do all proper expansion joints and flashing first.