Stucco Installation and Stucco Refinishing, Orlando FL

With its durability, longevity, and attractive aesthetic, stucco is a highly trusted choice for the outer surface of homes or buildings. Although it can be challenging to install correctly, the impressive results reaped from proper stucco installation are worth every minute spent on preparation. To assist you in your project's success, we've put together this concise overview of our proven methodologies for installing stucco siding:

Pre-installation Preparation

Before you begin the installation process, ensuring that the surface area has been adequately prepared is crucial. It includes cleaning and repairing any damage on the substrate and ensuring it is even with no visible obstructions.

Lathing

Following installation, lath augments the substrate for reinforcement and fortification. This layer can be constructed from metal or woven mesh and fastened with either screws or nails.

Scratch Coat

The initial stucco cover placed on the lath called a "scratch coat," must have deep grooves to support additional layers. Typically, this scratch coat should measure 1/4 to 3/8 inches in total depth.

Brown Coat

The second layer of stucco, the brown coat, is composed of sand and cement to offer an extra level of protection with a thickness between (407)-807-6526 inches. This unique combination creates its signature earthy hue, which can easily liven up the exterior of any home or building.

Finish Coat

The final stucco application, the finish coat, is only 1/8 inch thick but offers a variety of textures to choose from – smooth, rough, or sand-textured. You can then go on and decide whether you want to paint it or leave its original hues, depending on how unique you'd like your project to be. With all these possibilities, there's no doubt that your finishing touch will make your work stand out.

The Obstacles that Stucco Installation Can Solve - and How!

Although stucco is a challenging and long-lasting finish, it can still be vulnerable to issues appearing over the years. Stucco problems and their solutions include:

Cracking

Cracking is one of the most common problems with stucco and occurs for many reasons, including:

• Excessive shrinkage during the curing process
• Movement of the building due to settling or seismic activity
• Expansion and contraction due to temperature changes
• Poor application or mixing of the stucco

It is critical to adhere to the correct installation methods, such as blending the stucco properly and allowing ample time to cure so that cracking does not occur. In cases where cracks have already formed, stucco crack repair may entail filling in the affected area or reapplying new stucco on top of the damaged spot.

Color Variations

Stucco can also experience color variations, which may result from a variety of factors, including:

• Exposure to sunlight and weathering
• Use of different batches of stucco mix
• Improper mixing of the stucco
• Use of other application techniques

It's vital to retain the same batch of stucco mix and apply it uniformly during installation. However, if there are color discrepancies, you can use a fresh coat of paint in a consistent shade or another layer of stucco.

Water Damage

Stucco can also be susceptible to water damage, which can cause a variety of problems, including:

• Cracking and peeling of the stucco
• Growth of mold and mildew
• Damage to the underlying structure of the building

Protect your windows and doors from water damage by installing a moisture barrier around them. Additionally, it is crucial to use proper flashing for maximum protection - this will be especially beneficial if you have already suffered from water damage. In this case, you should undertake stucco repair or replacement. Identify any potential moisture sources that may cause further damage.

Reviving the appearance and strength of your stucco walls is possible with a quality refinishing job. The usual procedure usually involves the following:

• Pre-refinishing preparation.
• Cleansing.
• Patching up damaged areas.
• Skim coating for evenness in texture and color.
• Painting for that finishing touch.

Pre-refinishing Preparation

Before performing a refinishing job, you must identify any issues you must address before continuing, such as cracks or water damage. Repairing the identified areas will enable you to move forward with the refinishing process confidently and successfully.

Surface Cleaning

Stucco surfaces must be spotless for proper maintenance. To achieve this, you must wipe debris away using a power washer or other suitable cleaning devices, depending on the degree of filth and staining.

Patching

A flawless exterior requires a stucco patch. Filling in any holes or cracks with a high-quality patching compound will guarantee that the surface appears even and polished when covered with a skim coat.

Skim Coating

Adding a thin layer of plaster to the stucco surface helps create a finished, more polished look by masking any irregularities. Applying this skim coat is best done with either trowels or drywall knives for optimal results.

Texture Matching

Refinishing stucco with the same texture as before is achievable through specialized tools and techniques that vary depending on the extent of the refinishing and the given texture.

Painting

Putting on the finishing touches, the last stage of stucco refinishing involves a fresh coat of paint to give your surface a renewed aesthetic.

Stucco refinishing can be a cost-effective solution to spruce up your home or building's facade without needing a complete replacement. For the best results, you must partner with an experienced professional among stucco companies with expertise in proper preparation, application, and finishing techniques to ensure a durable, long-lasting finish.

Solve All Your Stucco Problems with Proven Professional Refinishing Solutions

Stucco refinishing is a great way to restore and improve the appearance of your stucco exterior, but it can also be susceptible to problems over time. 

Peeling Paint

Stucco refinishing struggles with frequent cases of peeling paint, which a variety of aspects, such as weak adhesion to the stucco surface, moisture retention, and inadequate preparation, can cause. Proper cleaning and priming processes can prevent this issue from occurring in the first place. If the painting has already begun to peel off, one solution may be stripping away what exists now and applying a new layer that will adhere properly.

Cracking

Structural shifts, improper blending of materials, or faulty application can cause cracks in stucco. To help avoid splitting and cracking, guarantee that the appropriate mixing and application strategies have adequate curing times between layers. If a crack has already appeared on the surface, you may need to fix the fracture area before applying fresh stucco.

Texture Mismatch

Moreover, stucco refinishing can result in texture inconsistencies which can arise when the newly-applied finish layer does not mirror the existing texture. It is vital to use the same instruments and methods on future projects as on existing stucco to prevent such an issue. When a mismatch has emerged, one potential solution may involve layering with new stucco of similar textures for reattaining visual harmony.