Everything You Need to Know About DIY Stucco

Stucco is a popular exterior siding material made from cement, sand, water, and lime that is applied wet and hardens into a stone-like finish. Learning how to stucco a house or wall can save thousands of dollars in contractor fees if you have the time and patience for this multi-step process. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk through everything required to DIY stucco, from the supplies you’ll need to prepare the surface to apply the scratch, brown, and finish coats. Read on to learn the ins and outs of stucco so you can get the long-lasting, beautiful exterior finish you want!

Why Choose Stucco?

Before jumping into the how-to, let’s look at why stucco is a smart choice for your home’s exterior:

• Extremely durable and long-lasting when properly installed and maintained
• Available in a wide range of colors and textures to fit your style
• Low maintenance compared to other sidings like wood or vinyl
• Fire-resistant and insect/rodent resistant
• Energy efficient with high R-value insulation when installed with foam backing
• Can cover imperfections in walls for a smooth finished look
• Provides excellent curb appeal and resale value for homes

The biggest downside to stucco is the high upfront cost, especially if hiring out installation. But doing it yourself mitigates this, and stucco siding will easily last 50+ years, saving you money in the long run.

DIY Stucco Supplies & Tools Needed

Supporting a house is a big project, so having all the necessary supplies and tools is important before starting.

Here is a comprehensive list of everything you will need:

Supplies

• Stucco mix (pre-blended or purchase separate cement, sand, lime)
• Concrete bonding agent
• Metal lath (galvanized expanded metal or woven wire stucco netting)
• Weep screeds
• Building paper or house wrap
• Staples/galvanized nails
• Control joints
• Foam backing (optional)
• Caulk
• Paint primer & exterior masonry paint

Tools

• Putty knives & trowels
• Groover tool
• Screed
• Spray bottle/hose
• Bucket
• Wheelbarrow
• Texture rollers
• Drill
• Hammer
• Utility knife
• Tape measure
• Level
• Safety gear (gloves, goggles, mask)

This may seem like a long list, but having the right supplies and tools will make the stuccoing process much smoother. Don’t cut corners here!

How to Apply Stucco to a House

Applying stucco is a multi-layer process requiring prep work, a scratch coat, a brown coat, and a finish coat. Follow these steps to DIY stucco siding correctly:

Prep the Surface

First, make sure the surface is ready for stucco. Stucco can be applied over masonry, concrete, brick, cement fiberboard, OSB, and framed walls sheathed with plywood or OSB.

• Repair any damaged areas of the surface
• Install house wrap if needed
• Add foam insulation boards if desired
• Apply building paper over the entire surface

Install Weep Screeds & Control Joints

Weep screeds allow moisture to escape from the stucco, preventing cracks and damage. Use a screed and level to attach weep screeds horizontally along the bottom of the walls. Install control joints vertically to divide the wall into sections no larger than 144 square feet.

Attach Metal Lath

Starting at the bottom, attach your metal lath over the building paper with galvanized nails or staples. The lath provides tensile strength and a key for the stucco to adhere to. Overlap horizontal seams by at least 1 inch.

Apply First Coat (Scratch Coat)

Mix stucco according to the manufacturer’s instructions in a wheelbarrow or mortar mixer. Apply a 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick base coat with a trowel, working from the bottom up and pressing firmly into the lath. Score the surface horizontally when semi-dry to form scratch marks. Let cure for 2-4 days.

Apply Second Coat (Brown Coat)

Mix and apply a second, 3/8-inch thick brown coat and float to a smooth, level surface. Wet cure for 48 hours by misting periodically with water.

Apply Finish Coat

Finally, trowel on a 1/8 to 3/16 inch finish coat once the brown coat has cured. Use a texture roller to achieve your desired look – smooth, knockdown, skip trowel, etc. Paint when fully cured in 7-28 days.

Proper curing time is crucial – allow each coat to cure before adding the next! With good weather and patience during curing, you can get beautiful, long-lasting stucco siding by DIYing.

DIY Stucco Tips & Tricks

Follow these tips for the best DIY stucco results:

• Consider hiring a pro just for stucco mixing to ensure proper ratios and workability. Pre-blended mixes simplify this step.
• Keep stucco moist for the first 48 hours while curing to prevent cracking – mist walls, cover with plastic, and avoid direct sunlight.
• Work in sections no larger than 3-4 feet wide to prevent sagging and voids in the stucco.
• Use a groover tool to create indentations whenever work stops for over an hour. This provides a clean edge to continue.
• Score control joints after each coat to prevent surface cracking as the stucco dries and contracts.
• Float each coat smoothly with sweeping strokes. Uneven layers will telegraph through to the final surface.
• Take your time applying the finish coat for an even surface. It’s the coat that makes or breaks the look!
• Consider synthetic stucco for DIYers – it uses acrylic vs. lime and requires less specialized labor.

Get the durable, classic look of stucco on your home’s exterior by following this stucco guide. You can save thousands on your siding project with the right supplies, tools, and techniques. Remember to be patient – proper stucco application and curing take time for maximum longevity. But the hands-on work is worth it for stunning, low-maintenance stucco walls that stand the test of time.

Most Important Things to Remember

• Prepare surfaces properly and install control joints/weep screeds
• Allow full curing between coats
• Keep stucco moist as it cures
• Apply in small sections and use the groover tool when stopping
• Get optimal bond by firmly pressing stucco into the lath
• Float each coat smoothly before applying the next layer
• Take time with the finish coat for best results
• Patience leads to durability!

Conclusion

Getting beautiful, durable stucco siding on your home is achievable as a DIY project if you have the time and patience for proper application and curing. While stucco requires some specialized tools and techniques, this guide has outlined everything you need to know to stucco a house successfully from start to finish. With the right materials, preparation, and layering method described above, you can gain stucco’s benefits – long-lasting curb appeal, low maintenance, and energy efficiency – while avoiding the high installer fees. Keep the stucco damp as it cures, work in small sections, and float for smooth, even coats. Your walls will have that classic stucco look for decades to come!

FAQs

Can stucco be done DIY?

Stucco can be done as a DIY project with the right preparation and materials. While hiring a professional stucco contractor is recommended for large homes, you can stucco a small to medium-sized house yourself. Just educate yourself on proper stucco techniques and plan for the multiple layers and curing time required. Have all necessary tools and use galvanized metal lath for a strong bond. DIY stucco takes patience but saves thousands in labor costs.

Is stucco easy to DIY?

Applying stucco involves multi-step preparation and layering three coats – a scratch coat, a brown coat, and a finish coat. Each layer requires mixing stucco, applying evenly, and allowing time to cure before adding the next coat. Precise ratios and adequate curing time are crucial for durability, so stucco is not the easiest DIY compared to other sidings. However, with the right materials and by following best practices for applying and curing stucco, it is very doable for a dedicated DIYer. Just allow plenty of time and accept that it is a process.

Can you make stucco with cement?

Cement, sand, and lime are the main ingredients for making your stucco. You can create a stucco base coat by mixing Portland cement sand in a 1:4 ratio, hydrated lime, and water. You can then purchase a stucco finish top coat. Making your stucco from cement and sand is cheaper but requires getting the blend right. Pre-blended stucco mixes simplify the DIY process.

What material is used for stucco?

Traditional stucco consists of cement, sand, water, and lime. This wet stucco mixture is applied in layers over metal or wire lath attached to your exterior walls. Synthetic stucco uses acrylic polymers instead of lime and requires fewer steps. Whether traditional or synthetic, having the right materials allows you to tackle stucco projects yourself rather than hiring a professional.