StuccoMetrics R
Jeff Bowlsby CCS, CCCA
Exterior Wall and Stucco Consultant
Licensed
California Architect
Essential Stucco Principles
|
Webpage Quicklinks Stucco
Principle 1: Stucco wall cladding is a System consisting
of Assemblies, Subassemblies and Components Stucco
Principle 2: Stucco wall
cladding is a complete and separate system from the WRB and drainage cavity,
flashings, thermal insulation, and substrate support systems Stucco Principle 3: All
stucco is not the same Stucco
Principle 4: Stucco is for walls, not roofs Stucco
Principle 5: Stucco is dynamic
not static Stucco Principle 6: Architecture, construction type,
occupancy, aesthetics, or geographic location do not determine stucco
requirements Stucco
Principle 7: A stucco movement condition determines the
stucco movement joint assembly, subassembly and component required Stucco
Principle 8: Stucco lath accessories are not stucco
subassemblies Stucco
Principle 9: Use
of stucco movement joint subassemblies are
no guarantee against cracking Stucco
Principle 10: Understanding the distinction and
importance of a Weather-Exposed Surface is critical to designing,
constructing and inspecting stucco wall cladding Systems, Assemblies
Subassemblies and Components Stucco
Principle 11: Form and Function
should be complementary, they are not adversaries Stucco
Principle 12: Stucco wall cladding does not exist in
isolation |
|
This webpage describes a few essential,
generally applicable stucco principles that are not specifically identified
as principles in stucco industry resources, and as such are not well
understood or implemented. Essential
stucco principles are not absolutes but are generally true in most
circumstances. Visit the StuccoMetrics Reference Archives
webpage for cited references and further information. |
|
Everyone one who has experienced, specified,
constructed, inspected or evaluated stucco has an opinion about stucco – what
it is and should be, how it is designed and constructed, how it should
perform, how it should look, etc.
Independent of the multitude of factors and considerations that affect
and determine an opinion regarding stucco, what are the basic and essential
principles that are universally true about stucco, in most conditions and
circumstances that we can use to guide us in how stucco is designed, how it
relates with other exterior wall cladding systems, assemblies, subassemblies
and components, how it is constructed, how it performs and is evaluated? Without a mutual baseline understanding and agreement on a set of
basic essential stucco principles, general consensus within the stucco
industry will be difficult to achieve.
The stucco industry needs general consensus on essential stucco
principles as a common ground, to have the capacity of moving forward to
address the new and increasingly challenging stucco issues we face daily, and
into the future. Without a mutually agreed upon basis of essential stucco
principles, we could make decisions and form opinions based on false
conclusions such as: ·
A “stucco cladding
system” is an entire assemblage of all components outboard of the framing and
sheathing ·
Stucco stands on its own and is independent of
other building conditions ·
Because stucco variants look the same, behave the same, feel the same …
they are the same ·
Stucco can be used anywhere on a building exterior
with the same results ·
Stucco is inactive and inert ·
Stucco functional requirements
and performance characteristics are variable and determined by the buildings
architectural vocabulary, the use or occupancy of the building, the desired
aesthetics, or the buildings regional location ·
Stucco joints are mostly
decorative because all stucco cracks anyway ·
Stucco accessories can be used in different ways with little impact on
stucco performance |
|
An understanding of essential stucco
principles can be a guide for determining how stucco is specified, detailed
and constructed, how stucco performs, and how stucco is evaluated when
scrutinized. Stucco principles are an
important baseline for knowledge about stucco. |
|
Stucco Principle 1: Stucco
wall cladding is a System consisting of Assemblies, Subassemblies and
Components The good ole days when stucco was just
a plaster trowelled onto a masonry base are long gone especially when it
comes to stucco on lath on a framed substrate support. It is helpful to consider contemporary
stucco wall cladding as an overall System, segregated and modularized into
multiple, separate but interrelated Assemblies, Subassemblies, and Components
functioning together that when combined, resolve to create a singular stucco
wall cladding System, as follows: ·
A
Component is a separate individual part in isolation. Components have no function apart from
their contributing function when they are integrated into a Subassembly. è Components are items such as a weep
screed drainage flashing, a corner bead lath accessory or a reinforcement
fabric. ·
A
Subassembly is a separate individual configuration of multiple Components
that when combined together create a functional Subassembly. Subassemblies perform functions such as a
foundation drainage function, an external corner plaster reinforcement
function or a crack minimizing function. è Individual Subassemblies can perform
several different functions simultaneously.
As examples, a Soffit Drainage Subassembly (SDS) provides both a wall
drainage function and stucco thickness control function. A Shrinkage Movement Joint Subassembly
(SMJS) provides a shrinkage and thermal movement control function, a stucco
thickness control function and a plaster cold joint elimination function. ·
An
Assembly is the configuration of multiple individual and related
Subassemblies combined together to perform a function. Assemblies perform functions such as a wall
drainage assembly, a building movement control assembly, a shrinkage and
thermal movement control assembly, a finish assembly, etc. è For example, a wall drainage assembly
may include various sealed trim subassemblies, a continuous fabric lamina
basecoat subassembly, a concealed WRB and drainage cavity subassembly and a
Foundation Drainage Subassembly. In
this example each subassembly either contributes to minimizing water entry
into the stucco cladding system, managing water once entered or diverting
water to drain out from behind the stucco cladding system to create an
effective wall drainage assembly. è Another example is that an effective
shrinkage and thermal movement control assembly is not based on a singular
Shrinkage Movement Joint Subassembly (SMJS).
Its effectiveness to the stucco wall cladding system is based on the
combined functionality of multiple Shrinkage Movement Joint (SMJS)
subassemblies working together, which depends on the range of individual SMJS
locations, materials, geometric configuration and panel sizes created between
adjacent SMJS. ·
A
stucco wall cladding system consists of the combination of various
Assemblies, Subassemblies and Components, where each performs separate
functions, and which combine to function together to create an overall stucco
wall cladding system. Stucco
Principle 2: Stucco
wall cladding is a complete and separate system from the WRB and drainage
cavity, flashings, thermal insulation, and substrate support systems A stucco exterior wall cladding
assembly consists of lath and lath accessories (when stucco is on a framed
substrate support), portland cement-based stucco base coats and a finish
coat. Although related to the stucco wall
cladding system, the WRB and flashings, air barrier, drainage provisions, and
thermal insulation serve different functions in a stucco wall cladding
system, are separate systems from the stucco wall cladding system and may be
designed, specified, installed and evaluated by different entities other than
the stucco craftsman. The WRB and its
flashings, drainage provisions and insulation should be envisioned, designed,
specified, installed, inspected and evaluated as continuous and discrete
systems from, but selectively integrated with, the stucco wall cladding
system. Stucco
Principle 3: All stucco is not the same Broadly speaking an exterior stucco wall
cladding system is, depending on a variety of conditions, a series of
different materials, configured as assemblies, subassemblies and components
that serve different purposes, over a substrate support. Each layer, material, assembly, subassembly
and component has something beneficial to offer the greater stucco wall
cladding system. The characteristics
of each layer, material assembly, subassembly and component in the stucco
wall cladding system, determines the performance and aesthetics of the specific
stucco wall cladding system. Stucco
wall cladding systems can be assembled with almost innumerable variations to
create a variety of different systems that function in different ways, with
different aesthetic characteristics. Stucco consists of a broad family of
assemblies, subassemblies and components that can be combined in various ways
to create a range of stucco wall cladding systems, each with different
functional and aesthetic characteristics.
With stucco there are many alternatives to creating effective stucco
wall cladding systems, some with definite absolutes, and an exception or two
can usually be found for every condition.
With no other qualifications indicated, to remain objective, general
discussions about stucco can only assume minimum quality stucco systems and
conditions such as non-corrosive environments, cement finish coats or basic
portland cement-lime/sand mixtures without fibers or admixtures. Commentaries offered are generally
applicable suggestions and not recommendations which can only be made in the
context of a specific stucco work, are not absolutes, and may or may not be
applicable to all circumstances.
Consultation with licensed and experienced stucco professionals is
recommended in any stucco endeavor for recommendations most applicable to a
given circumstance. Stucco
Principle 4: Stucco is for walls, not roofs Stucco is a durable portland
cement-based exterior wall cladding material and system but every
construction material and system has limitations. Stucco is most appropriate for vertical and
near vertical wall surfaces that are not subject to hydrostatic pressures or
significant dirt accumulations. Roofs
include weather exposed surfaces that are below 60 degrees from horizontal,
are sky facing and subject to far more extreme environmental conditions than
vertical and near vertical surfaces, due primarily to greater water, thermal
and ultraviolet exposure along with the additional effects of water
accumulation and gravity forces. Walls
are not roofs and the use of a stucco system should be avoided on roofs or
roof like surfaces such as the tops of parapet walls or recessed window sills
for optimum stucco performance, durability reasons. The portland cement stucco binder erodes
over time in the presence of flowing water and durability is reduced with
stucco finishes and joints in low-slope conditions.
Portland
cement binder erosion, aggregates exposed. This is not to say that stucco has not
been used on low-slope, weather exposed surfaces and when it has, special
considerations, conditions and accommodations have been made.
Stucco
cladding as office building roof Santa Clara, CA
Stucco
cladding with “control joint”, at parapet wall cap. Parapet wall below is solid concrete, framed parapet
cap is steeply sloped San Francisco, CA
Stucco
cladding as parapet wall cap Sacramento, CA Stucco
Principle 5: Stucco is dynamic not
static A stucco
wall cladding system is, as is the case for all building materials, a dynamic cladding from the moment it
is applied. Portland cement shrinkage
causes volume loss resulting in stucco movement. Ambient temperature variations cause
thermal expansion and contraction resulting in stucco movement. Building substrate support segments may
include dynamic joints that segment the building for building movement
purposes, resulting in stucco movements.
Stucco movements need to be accommodated or cracks will occur. To understand stucco behaviors, one
must understand its inherent dynamic behavioral characteristic of shrinkage
as it cures and hardens, its behavioral characteristic of expansion and
contraction resulting from variations in ambient temperatures while in
service, and building substrate support movements that affect the stucco wall
cladding system. Stucco consists of three primary
components when on framed substrates:
stucco mortar made primarily of sand aggregate and portland cement
(and water), and lath and lath fasteners.
For a typical portland cement-based plaster mixture consisting of a
1:4 cement:sand ratio, that plaster is 80% sand and 20% cement. Combining the components creates a new composite
material, forming a monolithic, homogenous, cementitous membrane with an
embedded foraminous lath that is mechanically fastened to the support
substrate. Shrinkage occurs with water volume loss
in the cement paste only, the aggregate and lath does not shrink, they are
just along for the ride. The lath,
lath fasteners and aggregate are restrictions to shrinkage and thermal
movements. The new composite material possesses a new set of physical and
performance characteristics which is the resultant combination of the
physical and performance characteristics of its individual interrelated
components. As a brittle
material, a stucco wall cladding system is subject to either comparatively
small or large movements. All
movements affecting stucco must be accommodated or cracking will occur. Small movements include shrinkage and
thermal movements, and are accommodated with any stucco movement joint (SMJS,
PMJS or BMJS) subassemblies because the lath terminates at these joint
subassemblies. Larger movements can
only be accommodated by PMJS or BMJS subassemblies located at the substrate
support movement location, because the substrate support is separated and
discontinuous at these stucco movement joints. Stucco
Principle 6: Architecture, construction type, occupancy,
aesthetics, or geographic location do not determine stucco requirements At weather-exposed soffit corners some would rather not use a
Soffit Drainage Subassembly (SDS) because it exposes a metal drip edge which some
may consider aesthetically objectionable.
Instead they will just use external corner reinforcement which creates
a stucco bucket or water trap condition that can cause long term concealed
deterioration of the substrate support.
An aesthetic victory at the expense of function and
serviceability. Others suggest that
stucco movement joint subassemblies are not needed on residences or small
buildings or in certain geographic locations, or that they are only needed on
commercial and larger buildings, as if the inherent characteristic of
portland cement-based plaster shrinkage and stucco thermal movement is
somehow determined by the building occupancy, or by the city the stucco
installation is located in. Various factors
such as the architectural style, commercial vs. residential, warehouse vs.
hospital, English cottage style vs. contemporary are in some venues suggested
criteria used to determine when/where or even if stucco movement joint
subassemblies are appropriate. Still
others question the need for Foundation Drainage Subassemblies (FDS) in arid
locations. In reality the functional
requirements for stucco movement joint subassemblies, and drainage subassemblies etc., as
defined in ASTM C1063 wherever it is in effect, applies to all stucco wall
cladding systems on framed building structures over a WRB, should not be
considered as optional because they provide functional solutions to potential
functional problems. Architectural style, construction type, occupancy,
aesthetics, or geographic location is for the most part, irrelevant criteria
for determining stucco functional requirements. Stucco
Principle 7: A stucco movement
condition determines the stucco movement joint assembly, subassembly and
component required Stucco
movement joint assemblies, subassemblies and components are arguably the most
misunderstood subjects in stucco since the time of their inception in the
1950’s. In part the difficulties
relating to stucco movement joint assemblies, subassemblies and components
are related to terminology, but also to a misunderstanding or lack of
knowledge about the purpose and functional requirements and capabilities of
stucco movement joint assemblies, subassemblies and components. Some struggle to understand the various different stucco
movement joint subassemblies - if, when and why they are needed, and their
requirements for the assembly to function correctly. Stucco movement joint subassemblies and
their requirements to function correctly, are not difficult to understand if
one understands the various mechanisms of stucco movement. The key to understanding stucco movement
joint subassemblies is in understanding a buildings’ stucco substrate support
movement and the stucco/lath composite material movement characteristics. Without a clear understanding of why and
how these movements occur, and how they relate to and affect stucco
performance, confusion, misunderstanding and disagreements will persist, and
stucco performance will suffer. And
stucco cracking will continue. And
building owners will be disappointed.
And stucco wall cladding may actually disappear from the marketplace
if we as an industry do not address and resolve the issues, and design and
construct stucco correctly. Let us get
on the same page, and agree that stucco movement subassemblies can be a
useful counteraction to stucco loading conditions. To understand the resultant movements, a review of building
support substrate and stucco material loading conditions causing those
movements is in order. Solid mass
masonry or mass concrete building structures as a stucco substrate support
imparts movements of very small dimensional magnitude. Solid mass masonry or concrete buildings
are relatively stable as a substrate for stucco wall cladding, do not deflect
significantly with vertical or lateral loads, shrinkage has already occurred
when the stucco is applied and they do not move significantly with ambient
thermal variations. Portland
cement-based stucco has thermal coefficients similar to or identical to solid
mass masonry or concrete support substrates, so when stucco is
directly-adhered to solid mass masonry or concrete building substrate
supports, the stucco continuously bonds with the substrate support and has
similar or identical behavior as the substrate support. As a result stucco cracking in these
conditions is generally atypical. No
substrate support movement in these conditions means no stucco movement joint
subassemblies are required. If and when
installed on solid mass masonry or mass concrete building support substrates,
stucco movement joint lath accessories only perform a plaster ground screed
(thickness) function, decorative function or work termination function and do
not accommodate building substrate support movement, because there is no
movement that occurs. Stucco movement
joint subassemblies on solid mass masonry or mass concrete building substrate
supports are only functionally necessary to accommodate substrate support
movement, where an expansion joint in the building substrate support occurs. Framed building structures as a substrate support
for stucco experience movement and behave entirely differently than solid
mass masonry or mass concrete buildings.
Building structures and materials are exposed to and must accommodate
various structural and physical forces (loading conditions) and their related
deflections or movements to function as intended. Gravity loads cause vertical building
movements such as beam and floor slab edge deflections. Wind and seismic loads cause lateral
building movements such as inter-story drift and wall panel racking. Portland cement-based plaster as one of the
few exterior wall cladding materials applied as a wet material, experiences
shrinkage movement as the plaster cures and hardens. Daily and seasonal ambient thermal
variations cause expansion and contraction movements within all building
construction materials including stucco that is exposed to daily and seasonal
temperature variations. Each of these
movements must be anticipated (designed) and accommodated (constructed) in
some way or the building and its cladding material will not function as
anticipated. Building structural substrate support movements,
resulting from loading conditions occurring either vertically or laterally,
as a substrate support for stucco, are accommodated with BMJS or PMJS
subassemblies. Stucco shrinkage
movements and thermal movements are accommodated with SMJS
subassemblies. BMJS and PMJS
subassemblies also accommodate stucco shrinkage movements and thermal
movements because the lath terminates at and is not continuous through these
joint subassemblies, but shrinkage movements and thermal movements are not
the primary function of BMJS and PMJS subassemblies. Stucco
Principle 8: Stucco lath accessories are not stucco
subassemblies Conflictingly,
in the stucco industry the same term is
often used confusingly to describe both a lath accessory component and a
subassembly. If we learn to think in
terms of creating subassemblies and assemblies and not just bolting component
parts onto a wall, stucco quality, performance and durability will
improve. Some examples include: ·
A
stucco “expansion joint” lath accessory is not a stucco BMJS subassembly ·
A
base of wall weep screed accessory is not a Foundation Drainage Subassembly ·
An
external corner reinforcement lath accessory is not an External Corner
Subassembly ECS) On Stuccometrics.com the
terminology used refers to the overall stucco Assembly as a default, unless
specifically indicating a lath accessory item. So the term a “control joint” is a
subassembly, and a “control joint” lath accessory is the lath accessory
component of a “control joint” subassembly.
An unfortunate tendency in the stucco industry today is to view lath
accessories as just Component parts to be bolted onto a wall, often without a
complete understanding that lath accessories are one of several Components of
functioning stucco subassemblies, and how those subassemblies are intended to
function. Stucco Principle
9: Use of stucco movement joint subassemblies are
no guarantee against cracking The number and diverse types and variables
in stucco wall cladding systems, stucco movement joint subassemblies and
installed conditions is large enough that it is impossible for design and
construction professionals to design or assemble a perfect, flawless stucco
wall cladding system. Notwithstanding
that realistic fact, material and installation standards exist that define an
achievable, minimum standard of quality for an exterior stucco wall cladding
system. Where the characteristics of a
given stucco wall cladding system satisfy Minimum Stucco Industry Standards,
then the resulting system will perform acceptably, although perhaps not
perfectly. Where the characteristics
of a given stucco wall cladding system do not satisfy Minimum Stucco Industry
Standards, then the resulting system may not perform acceptably. Exceeding Minimum Stucco Industry Standard
requirements whether in design, materials or installation can be beneficial
to an exterior stucco wall cladding system. Stucco Principle
10: Understanding the distinction and
importance of a Weather-Exposed Surface is critical to designing,
constructing and inspecting stucco wall cladding Systems, Assemblies and
Subassemblies and Components The term Weather-Exposed Surface (WES) has been defined in the building
codes as a guiding principle since 1967, and has remained virtually unchanged
ever since. Those involved with
designing, constructing and inspecting stucco wall cladding systems need to
be intimately familiar with the definition as it applies to exterior building
stucco wall cladding systems. WES
informs decisions on where WRB membranes and drainage screeds are required
and where they can be omitted. It
implies the in-service weather conditions that the stucco wall cladding
system may be subjected to, dependent on its location on a building. Stucco Principle
11: Form and Function are
complementary, they are not adversaries Form and Function in architecture are
eternally debated including in the context of a stucco wall cladding
system. Perceived justifications that
might seem to allow Form to trump Function are not advisable and short
sighted. Fundamentally, a stucco wall
cladding system on framed substrate support buildings require a range of
characteristics such as drainage assemblies, movement joint assemblies, small
dimension stucco panel areas and sealant-filled perimeter joints with
adjacent dissimilar materials expressed at the surface. Stucco wall cladding systems installed on
low-slope sky-facing Weather Exposed Surfaces is not a best technical
solution for a stucco wall cladding system to be durable and serviceable long
term. Stucco is one of the most
versatile exterior wall cladding solutions for exploring aesthetic expression
using the wide range of finish coat colors, textures and embeddable materials
available, none of which preclude satisfying the stucco wall cladding systems
functional requirements. If these and
other functional necessities for the stucco wall cladding system are not
acceptable, the best technical solution is to construct the building walls
from solid masonry or concrete where these conditions are not essential. When using Form to express Function, the
best design will view them as complementary - res ipsa loquitur - let the stucco speak for itself, let it be
what it needs to be. Stucco Principle
12: Stucco wall cladding does not exist in
isolation At
the same time a stucco wall cladding system is both a subassembly of a larger
building assembly (a building or building enclosure system), and a composite
system of interrelated,
multiple, and different smaller assemblies, subassemblies and components,
each serving a specific purpose, assembled in specific configurations that
function together to make a complete, functional, aesthetically pleasing
exterior wall cladding system. To understand a stucco wall cladding
system on a framed substrate support building as a subassembly of a building
and its enclosure system, one must understand the relationship of the stucco
wall cladding Assembly to the building and its enclosure system – how do the
adjacent systems interface? A stucco
wall cladding system is stucco mortar on a lath that is fastened to the
building substrate support by way of mechanical fasteners. Wind loads are imparted from the stucco
wall cladding system to the substrate support framing. Each fastener functions to secure the
stucco wall cladding system to the wall, but also contributes a risk of water
intrusion, and restrains shrinkage and thermal movement which may cause
cracks. At stucco panel perimeters,
the stucco wall cladding system terminates and then another enclosure
assembly, system or component continues on, which requires them to interface
to create a continuous building enclosure.
Continuity occurs primarily through overlapping waterproofing elements
for continuity, integrated drainage flashings with the WRB and sealant-filled
joints. Continuity of the building
enclosure from one system to another is essential to the long term
serviceability of the building enclosure system, which does not depend upon
the termination of one system or another. To understand stucco as a composite
system of interrelated, multiple, and different smaller assemblies, one must
understand the purpose and function of each assembly and what each
contributes to the greater stucco system to make a whole. Stucco subassemblies include stucco
movement joints (BMJS, PMJS and SMJS) stucco drainage (foundation, soffit and
designated), stucco panel edges and corners, decorative joints, etc. Taken together, stucco assemblies need to
both function independently and work together make a complete stucco system. Stucco subassemblies can be
deconstructed further. A stucco
subassembly consists of interrelated, multiple and different components, but
is not just a discrete lath accessory component itself. For example the Soffit Drainage Subassembly
(SDS) is not just the soffit drainage screed lath accessory in isolation by
itself. A Soffit Drainage Subassembly
includes not only the soffit drainage screed lath accessory and its
fasteners, but also the WRB, often SAF, lath and its fasteners, the adjacent
stucco base coats and finish coat components – and most importantly, how they
are interrelated and configured to fully function together as a stucco
subassembly. Assembling all the
correct components but putting them in the wrong relationship with each other
may create a dysfunctional subassembly.
For example if the lath in this subassembly does not overlap the solid
vertical flange of the soffit drainage screed component but is located behind
the screed flange, then cracking may occur, drainage over the screed may not
occur, and this soffit drainage subassembly may not function as
required. Stucco lath accessory
components include items such as the foundation weep screed, external corner
reinforcement, SMJ component lath accessory, casing bead, etc., each a
component of a larger stucco subassembly. |
|
These few essential, generally
applicable stucco principles are easy to comprehend and implement, and if
followed will benefit exterior stucco wall cladding systems. |
|
Stucco Best Practices: As manifestations of Stucco Principles: ·
Stucco
Principle 1: Recognize the
interrelationships of individual Components, Subassemblies and Assemblies,
and their functional contributions to the overall stucco wall cladding
System. ·
Stucco
Principle 2: Recognize that a stucco
cladding system is a complete and separate system from, but related to and
selectively integrated with adjacent systems as WRB, flashings, drainage,
insulation, and substrate support. Envision,
design, construct, inspect and evaluate the exterior stucco wall cladding
system as a combined system of discrete, but interrelated separate systems
which includes the substrate support system and additional separate systems
for the WRB and flashings, drainage, thermal insulation purposes as well as
the stucco cladding system. These separate
systems must function independently and to the extent they are interrelated,
must function collectively as an entire exterior wall system. ·
Stucco
Principle 3: Recognize that all stucco is not the same. Envision, design, construct, inspect
and evaluate stucco for what it needs to be or is, based on the particulars
of a given circumstance. ·
Stucco
Principle 4: Recognize that stucco is for walls, not roofs. Stucco performs best on exterior vertical
or near vertical walls and exterior soffit surfaces. Avoid locating stucco on weather exposed
surfaces (WES) sloped less than 60 degrees from vertical. ·
Stucco
Principle 5: Recognize
that stucco is dynamic and not static.
Envision, design, construct, inspect and evaluate stucco in
consideration of its inherent need to accommodate building substrate support
movement, shrinkage and thermal movement. ·
Stucco
Principle 6: Recognize that stucco functional requirements are
not determined by architectural style, occupancy, aesthetics, or geographic
location. A stucco wall cladding
system needs to accommodate various physical conditions and functions such as
drainage, shrinkage and thermal movement, edge terminations, etc., which
requires drainage flashings, movement joints, casing beads and sealant, each
with aesthetic implications. A
functional stucco wall cladding system will accommodate these functional
requirements and make them an aesthetic feature rather than avoid as a
detriment. ·
Stucco
Principle 7: Recognize that a stucco movement condition determines the
stucco movement joint subassembly required. Understand the movement conditions at a specific
stucco wall cladding system condition and implement the appropriate stucco
movement joint subassembly to accommodate the anticipated movement(s). ·
Stucco
Principle 8: Recognize that a stucco wall cladding subassembly consists of more than
just a stucco lath accessory component.
Think of a stucco wall cladding assembly as a series of interrelated
stucco subassemblies, rather than stucco lath accessory components. Lath accessory components can be
mis-specified, mis-detailed, mis-constructed and if so, the stucco
subassembly may mis-perform. ·
Stucco
Principle 9: Recognize that Minimum Stucco Industry Standards are
minimum requirements that may not perform perfectly. Exceeding Minimum Stucco Industry Standard
requirements can be beneficial to an exterior stucco wall cladding system. ·
Stucco
Principle 10: Recognize the in-service
performance requirements of an exterior stucco wall cladding system, as
determined by the definition of Weather
Exposed Surface. ·
Stucco
Principle 11: Use Form and Function in
the context of stucco wall cladding system, as complementary. Explore aesthetics but never at the expense
of functional requirements. ·
Stucco
Principle 12: Recognize
that a stucco wall cladding system does not exist in isolation. Be cognizant of how the stucco wall
cladding system interfaces and integrates with other exterior wall claddings,
fenestrations, penetrations, components, etc., and preserves the functional
and aesthetic integrity of the greater building enclosure and exterior wall
cladding system. |
|
Consultation
with licensed and experienced stucco professionals is recommended for
stucco-related endeavors. No liability is accepted for any reason or
circumstance, specifically including personal or professional negligence,
consequential damages or third-party claims, based on any legal theory, from
the use, misuse or reliance upon information presented or in any way
connected with StuccoMetrics.com. |
Home Page Contact Me Disclaimer