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Materials & Specificationsaka: exterior plasteraka: EIFSaka: hard coat stucco

Stucco

In Plain English

A cement-based exterior plaster finish applied to walls to provide a textured or smooth surface.

Definition

Stucco is a plaster-like exterior finish material applied in multiple coats over a substrate of metal lath, masonry, or foam insulation. Traditional stucco is cement-based (three-coat system), while newer synthetic stucco (EIFS) uses polymer-modified acrylic coatings. Stucco provides weather resistance, fire resistance, and a variety of finish textures.

Why It Matters in Bidding

Stucco bids hinge on the system specified, since a three-coat cement system, a one-coat system, and synthetic EIFS carry very different labor, lath, and coating costs. Estimators must read the wall assembly carefully because substrate prep, control joints, weather barriers, and number of coats drive both quantity takeoff and the crew time priced into the number.

Example

An estimator takes off exterior wall area in square feet, deducts window and door openings, and prices a three-coat cement stucco system including lath, weep screed, and control joints per the architect's wall section.

Related Terms

CladdingConcrete Masonry UnitFiber CementSubstrate

Frequently Asked Questions

Traditional three-coat cement stucco is labor-intensive with multiple coats and cure time, while EIFS uses lighter polymer-based coatings over foam and often installs faster. Pricing also depends on lath, weather barrier, drainage details, and finish texture. Estimators price the specified system exactly, since the two are not interchangeable in a bid.
Measure gross exterior wall area in square feet, then deduct large openings like windows and doors. Quantify lath, weather-resistive barrier, weep screed, casing beads, and control or expansion joints separately by linear foot. Number of coats, finish texture, and substrate type all factor into the labor portion of the estimate.
Control and expansion joints manage cracking from shrinkage and movement, and their layout is specified on the drawings. Estimators must include the joint accessories and the added labor to install them, because omitting them understates the bid and installing stucco without proper jointing leads to callbacks and warranty claims.

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