Stucco - Traditional or Synthetic?
You've made the decision to stop painting your home year after year after year. You're considering the classic look of a stucco finish but you're not certain because you may have heard some stories on the news or from friends about problems with synthetic stucco finishes. Recent television programs such as Dateline's "Is your home crumbling around you?" and About Your House with Bob Yapp's "The Walls Around You" covered the controversy surrounding synthetic stucco. Many homeowners across America are facing a serious problem resulting from the application of synthetic stucco to their homes-the walls beneath their synthetic stucco finishes are deteriorating due to trapped moisture. Some homeowners mistakenly believe that all stucco is the same and can lead to the same unfortunate problems encountered by others. This is untrue.
If you are considering a stucco finish for the exterior of your home, there are two main types of stucco systems available on the market today: traditional stucco, the type that Garden State Brickface offers, and synthetic stucco. What are the differences between the two?
Traditional Stucco
Traditional stucco as offered by Garden State Brickface is a Portland cement based product. The process is the same whether you choose the look of Stucco, Brickface, or Stoneface. First, the exterior of your home is inspected. Stucco, Brickface, or Stoneface can be applied over existing brick, clapboard, shingles, and most exterior finishes. The encapsulation process of stucco is a preferred method for applying a new exterior surface to homes with asbestos shingles. Leaving the existing siding on your home can add to the insulation value, but sometimes the condition of the existing siding is so poor that it is preferable to remove it.During the preparation stage of the work, the first step is to install an asphalt vapor barrier to the exterior of your home if it is wood frame. Next, heavy weight galvanized steel lath is affixed to the structure; this forms the base to which the cement adheres. The surface of your home is now correctly prepared to hold the masonry product. The first coat of cement which is applied to the home or building is called a scratch coat. This coat, approximately ¼" thick, seals and fills all cracks, cavities and mortar joints that may have deteriorated over time or weakened the structure. After the scratch coat is applied, one to three layers of cement or finish coats are applied depending upon the product selected.
At Garden State Brickface, the color pigment is mixed throughout the cement in our patented cyclo-blend mixer to ensure even color distribution. You never need to paint the exterior or touch up again because the color is mixed evenly throughout the cement. After the final finish coat is applied our artisans craft and sculpt the desired design and texture into the cement. Masonry products provide a natural insulation value and prohibit deep-water penetration-they allow your home to breathe naturally making it cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.
Garden State Brickface Windows & Siding offers you a Traditional Stucco Product. Traditional Stucco permits vapor and moisture to pass through the product naturally and provides adequate ventilation. The condition of the substrate of your home will remain as it is the day the new masonry exterior is applied. Garden State Brickface offers a residential lifetime guarantee for its entire line of masonry products. You can select from a wide variety of styles, colors, and textures. Garden State Brickface uses the highest quality materials and carefully controlled formulas. Plus you can add decorative detail such as keystones, quoins, and masonry Tudor board. All masonry work is custom designed and the Garden State Brickface professionals will work with you to achieve the desired look for your home or building.
Synthetic Stucco
Synthetic stucco was brought to the market in the mid to late 80's. It is also referred to as EIFS or Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems. The process for creating a new synthetic stucco exterior to your home or building begins with applying a layer of tarpaper. The next step involves affixing Styrofoam insulation to the exterior, most often it is glued onto the exterior but it can be attached with plastic fasteners. Once the foam is in place fiberglass mesh is embedded over the foam. The fiberglass mesh gives the surface some impact resistance and forms the base to which the acrylic modified cement layers will adhere.The next step is to caulk and fill any openings around the doors, windows, or other areas where moisture might be able to seep through. Once the sealing process has been completed, a paper-thin layer of acrylic modified cement is applied as a scratch coat and then another thin layer of acrylic modified cement as a finish coat. Texture and design are created in the final application stage. Most synthetic stucco system failures were due to trapped moisture that caused rotting of the substrate. It is extremely important when selecting a synthetic stucco product to select a system that allows for proper drainage. It is equally important to select a contractor who is extremely skilled and certified in the correct application of this product.
