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Stucco Siding
Stucco siding is a durable material made
of a cement mixture, consisting mainly of water, sand and
lime. Like vinyl, it is a resilient material that requires
very little maintenance. It is also fireproof, waterproof
and weatherproof. However, it is permeable to water vapor.
For this reason, some stucco is made with an acrylic finish
to guard against moisture escaping from the walls. An acrylic
finish will increase the longevity of your stucco siding
for up to 50 years.
Typically, a stucco application consists
of two to three layers of various cement mixtures, applied
over a wire mesh. The wire mesh is attached to the sheathing
and studs of the house. Alternatively, stucco can also be
applied over an Exterior Insulation and Finish System (EIFS).
EIFS are multi-layered exterior wall systems that provide
superior energy efficiency, durability and offer much greater
design flexibility than other cladding products.
Although stucco requires very little maintenance,
it is still important to check for cracks. If you catch
a crack when it is still very small you will be saving yourself
a lot of time and money. The larger the crack becomes, the
more extensive the repair work becomes due to the layering
involved. For small cracks, a paint-able caulking can be
used.
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