Many factors go into the stucco cost of your house. Some of these factors include: the size of your home, the texture, and your location. If your walls are taller than 14 feet, scaffolding will be needed, which will add to the price. You may also need a building permit.
Materials
Stucco Charleston SC comes in a variety of materials. The base and finishing coats can be made of cement, acrylic, or fiberglass, and they can be reinforced with mesh. The costs vary depending on the material, as well as other factors, such as the size of your home and whether you want a colored finish. The average cost for a stucco house ranges from $5 to $6 per square foot. This doesn’t include the cost of labor or building permits. The amount of work required to install the stucco also affects the price, as does the need for scaffolding.
The stucco construction process begins with the base coat, which is typically made of Portland cement mixed with sand. This layer is designed to protect the substrate material from rough weather conditions and absorb water in case of flooding or leaks. The base coat is usually applied in a 3-coat system, which also includes a foam layer.
Once the base coat has been cured, the final layer can be applied. The final coat is a mixture of one part cement and 1 1/2 to 3 parts sand, and it may contain pigment for color. It is troweled and float onto the wall, and it’s recommended that the coat be allowed to dry completely before painting (if desired).
In addition to being beautiful, stucco provides insulation and helps reduce sound transmission, which can be helpful for homeowners who live near busy roads. It can also improve a home’s energy efficiency, allowing it to stay cool without using as much energy. However, it can be more difficult to maintain than other sidings, and it’s important to check for cracks regularly. Cracks can be caused by several things, including changes in temperature and humidity, leaking pipes, foundation shifts, and incompatible repairs.
While stucco is a popular choice for exterior walls, it’s not the best option for every house. It requires a lot of energy to make, and it’s not as durable as brick. It can also be less eco-friendly, as it uses natural materials and must be transported long distances. It can also be brittle and is not suitable for certain regions, and it can be damaged by heavy winds.
Labor
Stucco is a long-lasting and durable building material that requires specialized skills and knowledge to install properly. It can add a natural, earthy essence to homes of all styles, and it can be applied to many different types of surfaces including brick, wood frames, concrete, or steel. It can also be painted and textured to suit any style. However, stucco can be more expensive than other siding options because it takes more time to do and the labor involved is higher.
The first step in determining how much it will cost to stucco your home is assessing the condition of your existing plaster or masonry finish. If it is in poor condition, the prep work included in the project will increase your total cost. It is also important to consider how long you want your stucco project to take, especially if it will be a new installation or a re-coat of your current finish. Weather can significantly affect the timeline for your project, and may even delay it if necessary precautions are not taken due to COVID-19.
There are several different types of stucco available, and the costs will vary depending on the materials used. Traditional stucco, for example, is made of cement, lime, and sand, and is typically applied in three coats over a lath base that includes water-resistant paper and wire mesh or fiberglass. It can be more expensive than other types of stucco, but it is very durable and better at keeping moisture out of a home.
Other types of stucco are more lightweight and easier to install, but still offer a high-quality look. EIFS, for instance, is the latest development in stucco and is a very durable option. It is a combination of many thin layers over foam insulation and is designed to resist moisture, making it an excellent choice for areas with harsh climates.
Although stucco does a good job of repelling moisture, it can become saturated with rainwater and cause problems in the building structure. These include lintel and window frame settlement; wood lath rot; moisture migration through the building envelope; and rising damp. These problems can be avoided by ensuring that the stucco is well-installed and maintained, and by protecting it from direct sunlight.
Scaffolding
The cost to stucco a house depends on the size of the surface and the type of finish you desire. The price per square foot includes the cost of the materials and labor. The average cost is around $5 to $6 per square foot for cement stucco and $10 to $12 per square foot for acrylic or mesh. It is also important to consider any preparations that might be needed for the job. For example, if the building designs include extremely high walls, scaffolding may be required to work on them. This will increase the total costs of the project.
Stucco can be a practical and beautiful choice for homeowners who want to renovate their homes. However, it is important to know the limitations and disadvantages of this material. For example, it can be prone to water infiltration and is not recommended for all climates. Additionally, it requires more frequent upkeep to patch holes and cracks. Additionally, it is porous, and substances such as tree sap can discolor it over time.
A new form of stucco, called Synthetic, is becoming more popular and is usable in more climates. It is more flexible, thinner, and more durable than traditional stucco. In addition, it can be used in conjunction with insulation to provide additional energy efficiency.
Before stucco can be applied, the framing must be protected from moisture damage. This can be accomplished with a waterproof barrier such as asphalt-saturated paper or one of a variety of manufactured plastic-based sheets known as stucco wraps. These barriers must protect the wood framing from rain and other weather elements while allowing water vapor to escape.
Another protective measure is to install a Driwall rain screen over the WRB. This is a sponge-like layer that is placed over the wall to absorb moisture, which it then channels down through the weep screed and out into the drainage system.
The final step is to install E-Z Beads, which create flexible strip seals along windows and doors. These are a vital part of the watertight system. They help keep water from entering the frame and causing rot or mold.
Tabby shell
Before bricks and concrete, tabby shell was the go-to construction material for many structures in Beaufort and the surrounding coastal areas. It’s made of a simple mix of lime (cooking whole oyster shells in a kiln to create quicklime), sand and water mixed with burnt oyster shells. The resulting mixture was used like a concrete to build walls, foundations and other structures throughout the Lowcountry region. The recipe was simple and readily available because oyster shells were plentiful along the shore and Native American “middens” – prehistoric heaps of discarded shells – provided the lime needed for the process.
While it was an arduous building technique, early settlers quickly adopted it because they found it cost-effective and less time-consuming than bricks. It was also easy to work, as it could be molded into forms to create walls and other structural components. And it was durable enough to stand up to the stormy, hurricane-prone southeastern coast.
Today, the look of traditional tabby concrete can be emulated with a modern mix that includes crushed oyster shells, water and Portland cement. The result is a lightweight, versatile material that can be colored to create a variety of design options. We’ve used it in modern pool decks and driveways, for example, adding a pop of color that looks great against greenery.
The most authentic examples of historical tabby can be found in ruins scattered across North Florida and the southeastern coastline. They include plantation houses and other commercial buildings, as well as many historic forts. Some have been restored to showcase their architectural significance, while others have simply worn away, revealing the raw oyster concrete underneath. These skeletons offer a rare opportunity to explore the building methods of an early age. Their raw, rustic beauty recalls the Japanese aesthetic of wabi-sabi.
While the use of true tabby has diminished, it continues to be a popular choice for hardscape in Southwest Florida. It’s a beautiful way to bring a distinctive Charleston style into your landscape design. The light gray concrete stays cool on hot days and the crushed oyster shells add a unique texture and visual appeal to your project.