Stucco is a Portland cement plaster used on the exterior walls and ceilings of residential and commercial buildings. The builders mix sand and Portland cement materials with water to form plaster. It is then applied when wet on the surfaces using machine spraying or manually and left to harden slowly into a dense solid. Homeowners use it in the decoration of less appealing walls and construction of stucco ceiling while architectures use it in building sculptural and artistic materials.

Traditional Versus Modern

There are two forms of application; traditional and modern stuccos. The traditional formation consists of sand, lime, and water and the applicators use it in three stages. They apply the first two layers manually or by spraying, and the third coat involves spraying, hand-texturing, or toweling smooth. The modern stucco consists of a mixture of Portland cement, water, lime, sand, and other additives such as synthetic acrylics. It involves the application of the base layer and a thinner finish layer.

The professionals reinforce it with plastic, wood, or wire mesh lath to prevent cracking as well as improve the strength and flexibility. The lath supports the wet plaster until it cures. Additionally, the applicators also include an asphalt-saturated paper to protect the lath (mostly wood) from moisture and allow easy passage of water vapors from the room.

Cornice Moulding

A trim occurs between a stucco ceiling and the top of the interior wall. The best way to make the trim attractive is by installing a beautiful cornice molding that allows a smooth transition from the ceiling to the wall. The cornice moldings not only give an interesting effect and elegant finish but also hide the imperfections and poor drywall job. The applicators will always put a masking tape at the area around the room to leave a space for the application of a cornice molding.

Popcorn Ceiling

Stucco ceiling is also known as popcorn ceiling and has been on the market since the 1930s. The popcorn ceiling repair is one of the most sought after services in Canada especially for the houses that contain asbestos. Popcorn ceilings and stucco walls are noise, mold, fire, and rot resistant. They also require less energy to keep the temperatures low. However, most of the houses constructed in 1930’s may have asbestos, which is dangerous for your health. It is, therefore, ideal to check for asbestos before settling in a house with a stucco ceiling finish.

Application of Stucco

Applying stuccos on surfaces may appear as a simple procedure that everyone is capable of accomplishing. However, it is advisable to hire a professional to ensure that the application meets the standards set by the Canadian Standards Association. A wrong application may lead to cracking, bulging, and separating of the layer, or allowing rain and water to permeate through the timber.