Stucco is a durable finishing plaster used on the exterior of buildings, traditionally made with lime, sand, and water. It can be colored and textured, but cheap synthetic versions are less durable. Stucco helps regulate temperatures and is ideal for warm regions if made with high-quality materials.
Stucco is a type of finishing plaster commonly used on the exterior of buildings, which has been used in construction for centuries in various forms. Although it can also be used indoors, specially designed interior plasters have replaced it for interior use in most regions. In ancient times, interior stucco was made by mixing marble dust, lime and water to create a smooth plaster that could be shaped into elaborate scenes and painted. The Spanish, Greek, and Missionary-style architecture features stucco that helps reflect the heat and keep the homes cool.
A variety of materials can be used to make stucco. The traditional material uses lime, a substance obtained by firing limestone in kilns so that it calcifies, along with sand and water. These elements are mixed into a paste which can be spread over a surface or moulded, as was common with interior stuccos. Stucco made in this way is durable, strong and heavy. Since lime is somewhat soluble, cracks in the plaster will heal on their own, as the lime will drip to fill them when moistened. Most commonly today, stucco uses finely ground Portland cement, sand, and water, resulting in a less durable form that breaks easily.
Stucco can be applied to a structure such as wire mesh or wood, or it can be plastered over brick and masonry, as long as they are roughened beforehand. Classically, this plaster is white, as can be seen in Spanish and Greek architecture. It can also be colored with the addition of pigments, as was done on US ranches in the 1960s and 1970s. Once applied, the grout can be scraped smooth or textured with a tool or the introduction of rocks or vegetable matter.
Classic stucco is usually sturdy for the life of the house. Cheap synthetic replacements, however, are not. Stucco homes sometimes have problems with rot in the underlying wood or cracks. For this reason, a house made of this material should be carefully inspected before buying. If a new home is being built with stucco, it’s cost-effective to spend more on high-quality material so the home doesn’t have to be repaired later in life. Especially in warm regions, it’s a great building material because it helps regulate temperatures when the house is built well.
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