Phoenix homeowners are finding that stucco can be a durable solution for remodeling both inside and out. For the past few years, Stucco Phoenix has found its way into almost every renovation project – not just in the desert heat of Phoenix, but throughout America’s sizzling hot cities, including Miami, Houston, Dallas, San Diego, Tucson, and New Mexico. The value of homes with stucco exteriors has held steady over time, even while other types of siding may have fallen in value.
Stucco’s use in construction is most prevalent in the Western United States and Florida and has gained popularity with all house types. Its durability and workability are not limited to any particular style or type of home design.
The most noticeable advantage is probably stucco’s long lifespan. An adequately installed stucco exterior will last 50 years plus, with little or no maintenance required during that time frame. It can withstand hurricane-force winds, heavy rains, lightning strikes, hail, high heat/low cold extremes, moisture absorption from waterfront locations, and soil expansion without cracking. It is ideal for anything you want to protect from the elements.
Stucco Provides Excellent Fire Protection
An adequately installed stucco exterior will provide excellent protection to your home. Stucco has a much greater fire resistance than most people think, and it gives a great deal of safety to your family in case of wildfire or arson. Three layers of gypsum drywall (three/8 inch) separated by two layers of 4-inch stucco were subjected to severe heat exposure; both materials survived without structural damage, while wood surrounding them inside and out was completely burned away. Wood studs not covered with drywall near the test area partially ignited but did not spread to other regions of the structure, providing another level of safety against fire penetration.
Although stucco can be applied directly over many old surfaces such as brick veneer and wood siding, the character must have a means of being water-proofed during preparation. Most old brick surfaces are very porous and absorb too much moisture, causing excessive cracking if stucco is applied directly. Additionally, the mortar may not be adequate to allow for proper base installation without showing signs of distress.
Stucco is nothing more than an exterior type plaster with cement added, making it more resistant to weather elements. Its strength comes from its bonding ability that fuses all parts into one solid piece. The three major components are sand, lime, and Portland cement. These three are blended in specific measured proportions, after which other ingredients are added according to manufacturer specifications before application begins.
Different Kinds of Stucco, Their Compositions and Uses
Lime Stucco: It is done with natural lime exposed to the weather. It’s widespread in warm regions where there’s plenty of sunshine. The disadvantage is it turns back into a jelly-like substance if water gets through to the other side, which may cause collapse. It has no strength against humidity but makes an excellent sound absorber because of its jelly-like quality. They are commonly used in California for outdoor work where there’s not much danger of freezing or excessive wetness—used extensively throughout Latin America.
Concrete Stucco: It is made by adding portland cement and other ingredients, including various types of sand, gravel, crushed rock, and diatomaceous earth, to manufacturer specifications before application begins.
Concrete stucco may be colored or stained. It can also be painted, but most paint eventually peels from the surface as exposure to water, and ultraviolet light deteriorates. In areas where moisture does not tend to accumulate, such as the desert climate of Arizona, concrete stucco systems are preferred by homeowners who wish artificial aging added to their new home for rustic appeal before moving in. Stucco is a common material for high-quality homes in Arizona because of its resilience, affordability, and original look.
Brick Stucco: It is a type of stucco applied to brickwork. Today, it is often used to give a faux stone appearance on log cabins and other wooden structures.
Stucco is also popular in Southern California, where its resemblance to adobe led to the development of the Southwestern style of architecture. San Diego, Los Angeles, Miami, Houston, Phoenix, etc.