How to Stucco Your Walls

Stucco walls have always added a touch of elegance and sophistication to the home. While they are very popular, they are not as widely-used as one might imagine; many are intimidated by the stucco process and believe that they are unable to do it unless they are professionals. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth – it’s quite easy to stucco a wall, provided you have the correct tools and supplies, a little imagination, and the time to complete this task. Done right, you can even find that applying stucco to your walls can be an interesting and creative pastime.

Before you start your project, take into consideration the type of wall that you are going to be applying stucco to, as there are different techniques, depending on the kind of wall that you intend to cover. Also, take into consideration the amount of traffic and handling that your wall will receive. Stucco may not be the wisest choice for a young boy’s room or for a kitchen where someone might have to clean up spills and splatters.

How to Stucco Masonry

If the wall that you intend to stucco is made of cement blocks, stone or brick, you will want to treat the wall with a concrete bonding agent and allow this to dry thoroughly before continuing on. Once it has dried, you will then be ready to apply your stucco. This is perhaps the easiest type of wall, because it takes very little preparation time and the stucco is applied directly to the wall.

Begin by applying a Ã?¼ to Ã?½ inch layer of the stucco onto the wall. This will take a little time to cure or harden slightly, before you can continue on. Called a “scratch coat,” this thin layer of stucco will then be scratched 1/8 of an inch and then allowed to harden for anywhere from 36 to 48 hours. The wall should be misted, periodically during this time, in order to keep the stucco face moist until you can add the next layer.

Once this curing period is over, the finishing coat of stucco is then applied over the scratch coat. This finishing coat should be at least 1/8th of an inch thick and can be up to �¼ of an inch, but no more, or you risk having problems with improper hardening and cracks. You can then add whatever finish or design that you would like to add to this project and then let it cure for another 36-48 ours with occasional misting for the best results.

Stucco for Wood Walls

There is a slightly different technique if you wish to apply stucco to your existing wood walls. The first thing that you will have to do is purchase some roofing felt and nail it up over your wall, then affixing 17-gauge metal netting over top of this. Over the felt and netting is where you will spread your scratch coat of stucco, making sure to carefully work the mortar into and around the wire. Just like the masonry stucco, you can now follow the masonry steps, scratching the first level as you desire and, after 36-40 hours later, applying your finishing coat. Should you wish to paint, however, you should wa

Stucco is a beautiful alternative to more traditional options, such as wallpaper or simply painting your rooms. Surprisingly easy to do, it adds to visual appeal and will definitely gain attention from company that comes to visit. The key to a good stucco job is simply misting, to keep it moist while it cures, and taking your time – as with any great art piece, it will blossom when filled with creativity!