Cracking the Code: How to Identify the Type of Stucco on Your Home 

What Type of Stucco is on My House?

All of us who own homes want to keep them in good condition on the inside and out. The exterior stucco is another part of home care that is easy to neglect. Because of its durability, energy efficiency, and fire resistance, stucco is a preferred building material for homes and other buildings. Stucco, however, is susceptible to aging, deterioration, and cracking. It’s crucial to know what kind of stucco is on your house in order to preserve it properly. We’ll go over the various kinds of stucco and how to recognize them in this article.

Traditional Stucco

One of the most popular varieties of stucco is traditional stucco, often known as cement stucco or Portland cement plaster. Three coatings of Portland cement, sand, and water are used in its preparation. The second coat, the brown coat, adheres to the first coat, often referred to as the scratch coat, which creates a rough surface. To create a smooth surface, the finish coat, the last coat, is then applied.

Look for a surface with a homogeneous texture and no obvious seams or lines to identify classic stucco. Depending on the intended appearance, the final coat might be either rough or smooth. In addition to being extremely hard, traditional stucco can be challenging to pierce with a screwdriver or other tool.

Stucco EIFS

Exterior Insulation and Finish System (EIFS), sometimes known as Dryvit, is a type of synthetic stucco that gained popularity in the late 1970s. EIFS is constructed of a foam insulation board that is affixed to the building’s exterior and covered in synthetic stucco. EIFS is significantly lighter and easier to apply, yet it can be colored and texture to mimic conventional stucco.

Look for a surface with an uniform texture and no obvious seams or lines to identify EIFS stucco. EIFS, in contrast to conventional stucco, is easily pierced by a screwdriver or other tool. Plastic trim pieces used to provide drainage at grade and roof rakes can also be used to identify EIFS around windows and doors, but the best way to identify synthetic stucco is to knock on it. If it sounds hollow it is likely EIFS.

One Coat Stucco

One Coat Stucco is a more recent variety of stucco that was created in the 1980s. It is sometimes referred to as acrylic stucco or synthetic stucco. In order to create One Coat Stucco, a combination of Portland cement, sand, fibers, and synthetic polymers is used. It is textured and tinted to mimic typical stucco and combines the scratch coat and basecoat into one coat.

To identify One Coat Stucco, look for a surface that has a homogeneous texture, with no visible seams or lines. One Coat Stucco has a softer feel than conventional stucco and can be penetrated with a screwdriver or other tool. It will be much harder than EIFS stucco as the cement and fiberglass of synthetic stucco is about 1/8″ thick (which is the reason it sounds hollow), and One coat stucco is approximately 1/2 inch thick. With traditional stucco being the hardest, and when knocked on, it will be like knocking on the sidewalk or your driveway.

Stucco Board

Stucco board is a sort of cladding material that is widely used in Tudor-style homes. It is a fiber cement siding that is designed to resemble the appearance of traditional stucco. The material is sturdy, resistant to weathering and pests, and gives a measure of insulation to the home. The 4 foot by 8 foot panels are about a half inch thick and wood timbers overlay the joints where the panels meet.

The striking exterior of Tudor-style dwellings is recognized for its steeply pitched roofs, exposed wood, and stucco cladding. Because stucco board delivers the appearance of classic stucco while requiring a considerably speedier installation, it has grown in popularity as a material for Tudor-style residences. In addition, stucco board is a flexible choice for homeowners trying to create the distinctive appearance of a Tudor-style home because it comes in a variety of hues and finishes.

The simplest way to tell if something is stucco board is to check for wood timbers covering the joints where the stucco board panels meet. In contrast to conventional stucco homes, Tudor-style residences frequently have this feature.

Conclusion

It’s crucial to know what kind of stucco is on your house in order to maintain and fix the outside. Knowing what kind of stucco you have will help you choose repairs and improvements that will keep your home looking wonderful for many years to come.