Stucco Siding
Written by Elizabeth Wood
Editor In Chief, United Home Improvement

Stucco siding is a durable material made of a cement mixture, consisting mainly of water, sand and lime. Like vinyl, it is a resilient material that requires very little maintenance. It is also fireproof, waterproof and weatherproof. However, it is permeable to water vapor. For this reason, some stucco is made with an acrylic finish to guard against moisture escaping from the walls. An acrylic finish will increase the longevity of your stucco siding for up to 50 years.

Typically, a stucco application consists of two to three layers of various cement mixtures, applied over a wire mesh. The wire mesh is attached to the sheathing and studs of the house. Alternatively, stucco can also be applied over an Exterior Insulation and Finish System (EIFS). (EIFS) are multi-layered exterior wall systems that provide superior energy efficiency, durability and offer much greater design flexibility than other cladding products.

Although stucco requires very little maintenance, it is still important to check for cracks. If you catch a crack when it is still very small you will be saving yourself a lot of time and money. The larger the crack becomes, the more extensive the repair work becomes due to the layering involved. For small cracks, a paint-able caulking can be used.

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