Stucco or render is a construction material made of aggregates, a binder, and water. Stucco is applied wet and hardens to a very dense solid. It is used as a decorative coating for walls and ceilings, exterior walls, and as a sculptural and artistic material in architecture.
Stucco siding advantages:
- Durability.
- Stands up well to weather, wind and debris.
- Choice of any color and many textures.
- Can be formed to create decorative enhancements to the exterior.
- Low maintenance.
- Resistant to fire and insects.
- Quiets outside noise.
- Offers some insulation value.
R value
about 0.20 per inchTraditional stucco has a R-value of about 0.20 per inch. This means that stucco provides 20 percent of the insulation value of one inch of wood. Since the typical layer of stucco is usually less then an inch you can see that additional thermal barriers are needed to provide effective insulation
Layers
Three coat is the original stucco process, consisting of paper and wire, a scratch coat, a brown coat, and a finish, or “top” coat. In industry terms — lath, scratch and brown.
Durability
Stucco is a very durable finish material with a typical life span of 50-80 years or more. Although it is one of the most durable surfaces available, it also features the lowest annual maintenance cost when compared to other siding materials. Stucco is a natural material consisting of an aggregate, a binder, and water.
Design and Build Data 