There are numerous easy methods to side or to clad your home with and so stucco siding is one of the most popular siding technique that one can choose from, due to several reasons. Just like the bricks, stucco is simply a manufactured siding product that employs natural materials to provide a very beautiful and a unique appearance to the building.This type if siding is often found on some Spanish and Mediterranean style homes or some mission style houses. The ingredients that are used to prepare stucco comprises of silica sand, lime, water and of course portland cement. Hence, stucco or render is simply a mortar mixture that is made of aggregate, a binder and then mixed with water, while in some occasions it is also blended with other ingredients such as vinyl materials to offer a more aesthetic finish. To form the stucco siding, stucco is applied when wet and later on hardens to a very dense solid. It is therefore used not just as a structural coating for walls and the ceilings but also as a decorative, sculptural and as an artistic material in various architectural structures.
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Stucco siding Advantages
Most stucco comes in natural tones and in vertical panels. Actually, when stucco is applied perfectly and correctly, it blends so seamlessly that it can almost be mistaken for some concrete stucco and rather not as a siding. The stucco siding therefore offers lots of advantages and benefits, save from the few disadvantages that it exhibits. The stucco siding is known to be stronger than most types of sidings out there, it offers a beautiful finish, it is easy to work with and is very durable as researches indicates that it can not only withstand earthquakes, but it is also known to be both fireproof and on the other hand offers a suitable insulation against colder or hot climate. It is thus very versatile and can play a significant role in saving the cost of energy not to mention the fact that it gives a lower level of maintenance to the building.
Therefore, when one is looking for a very innovative and an attractive exterior that will bring an enviable air of quality and style to their home, stucco siding finish offers precisely the best option. With a rough texture and of course a wide array of color selection, a number of professionals will be able to create a stucco exterior that will both fit any style and color of your choice and of course that which will stand over time while staying beautiful for the longest period.
Stucco siding problems:
Unfortunately, stucco siding has always proved to pose some other problems such as being one of the most expensive siding options, it is also one of the heaviest and actually even more difficult to apply due to its heavy weight. Moreover, it requires lots of work to prepare and to apply, just as a number of homeowners do not find it not as so much as water resistant. The siding therefore is prone to accumulating water behind it and thus can be expensive to replace and to repair as well.
Installation:
Basically, stucco siding installation is applied in three coatings over a lath base to offer a durable, solid and of course a seamless home exterior. However, sometimes due to its complicated installation method, it is necessary that you employ the service of a professional to save you both the time as well as the aggravation. In fact, some stucco materials require that you enlist the service of a certified constructor, who has demonstrated both knowledge and competence increasing the most desirable finish and appearance. But sometimes with the basic home improvement skills, you can easily apply the stucco siding by yourself. In applying the stucco siding installation,you must first give the exterior surface of your house a very proper cleaning to get rid of any dirt or debris as well as to clean the ground off any obstructions, ensure you have enough stucco, wrap the designated area in a builders paper and then in a layer of a stucco lath or some inexpensive stucco lath.
Mix the stucco thoroughly to a muddy mixture for use, then trowel the stucco siding and spread it onto the building in some circular swipes.When using the stucco lath, apply some pressure to force the stucco into the mesh to bond solidly on the surface until the entire surface is covered,apply it until the uneven spots are leveled.Rake the stucco siding to form your desired design, allow the stucco to cure for about 6 weeks before you paint it.
Stucco vs vinyl siding:
Much as stucco siding do not come in as many options like other types of vinyl siding, there exits mainly 4 types stucco siding panels which include the cedar groove vertical siding, the cedar no groove, the stucco vertical as well as the smooth vertical siding. On the other hand the vinyl sidings come only in the horizontal styles. The stucco siding and the vinyl siding therefore varies both in cost and style as well as in their level of maintenance. First of all, the vinyl siding presents one of the least expensive and cost effective choices both in its installation and in its repair, it is fairly easy to install and is much more durable than the stucco and requires little overall maintenance.On the other hand the cost of stucco siding can be substantial. Additionally the stucco can easily develop holes and attract stains over time.
On the other hand both the stucco and the vinyl siding offers an excellent insulation from severe weather as both of them look sophisticated and attractive.Although the stucco is known to have a more natural and a rough look, whereas the vinyl presents a more clean and a manufactured look. In another contrast the vinyl sidings comes in several colors, while the stucco is mainly known to be available in neutral colors like brown,beige and in white.Therefore those that wants vinyl sidings tend to have not just several options and advantages available to them but also rather more easy to maintain and clean,durable siding panels and of course an inexpensive to fix siding and cladding panels.
Synthetic Stucco siding :
Although real stucco siding tends to be heavier, the synthetic stucco may look real and authentic but is rather lighter. Similarly, walls made of real stucco siding sounds solid when tapped and are less likely to suffer damage from some hard blow. Synthetic stucco such as the EIFS can easily suffer from wet conditions and can easily suffer from wet or moisture conditions. However, in general several synthetic stucco sidings are known to be quite durable.
Stucco Siding removal:
There comes a time when you might need to remove the stucco siding from your home due to various reasons, although the process can be tedious, labor intensive and of course long, it is important that you remove the clad carefully and without any complications.Basically, you will need the right tools such as a hammer,a pry bar, a circular saw with a carbide blade as well as safety tools such as gloves, boots, eye protection and a face mask. Be careful during the removal of the cladding lest you injure your self or course unnecessary damage to the entire building. You can always first start removing the stucco in small sections, as you progres to larger portions. Follow the layer of the stucco lath and do that with your hammer,a chisel and a pry hammer as well as with the shovel to take of larger sections.
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