Portland cement stucco – a cladding made of sand, cement, and lime – has been used to beautify and insulate buildings around the world for centuries. Applied in two or more coats to surfaces including masonry and concrete walls, the material is durable but breathes, allowing water vapor to escape. Foam shapes such as cornices, quoins, or window surrounds can be added and finished with a cement or acrylic coat in a wide variety of colors and textures. It is, according to the Portland Cement Association, a proven system that works in all climates.
Over the last century, enhancements such as crack-suppression membranes, foam insulation, and rainscreen as well as new products, such as exterior insulation finishing systems (EIFS) and polymer-based (PB) systems, were introduced. What was once a fairly straightforward product category is now a bewildering array of assemblies, systems, terminologies, standards, and applications methods. What can your clients reasonably expect?
The Stucco Manufacturers Association cuts through the clutter during World of Concrete Jan. 22 through 25, 2019, with STUCCO LIVE! Nine popular assemblies, including continuous insulation and rainscreen systems, will be used to demonstrate what’s available and how to best install and maintain the material. There will be particular emphasis on eliminating water intrusion from the slab and foundation and installing moisture prevention barrier systems.
Attendees will learn about the two ASTM standards governing construction:
- C1063, Standard Specification for Installation of Lathing and Furring to Receive Interior and Exterior Portland Cement-Based Plaster
- C926, Standard Specification for Application of Portland Cement-Based Plaster.
In addition to the basics, attendees who stop by Booth C3055 in the Las Vegas Convention Center’s Central Hall will hear about industry trends from their peers and instructors.
Instead of a generic blend of products from unknown sources, plasterers are increasingly using engineered mixes. Designed to meet established performance criteria and blended at a factory under strict quality controls, the mixes increase productivity and limit liability. Stucco accounts for 25% of cladding in the U.S., and plasterers who supplement hand tool application with machines are making stucco more affordable in regions where it hasn’t been a traditional cladding.
