How to Stucco a House: Everything You Need to Know
Stick to this how-to guide for a beautiful stucco finish
- Trowel
- Darby or straight edge
- Metal snips
- Raking tool
- Hammer
- Grade D waterproof building paper or drainage house wrap
- Scratch (base) coat stucco
- Brown coat stucco
- Finish coat stucco
- Galvanized metal lath with at least ¼ inch furring or woven wire stucco netting
A stucco exterior offers durability, longevity, and beauty to your home. Learning how to stucco a house is a huge undertaking and requires special tools and techniques. But if you have the specialized skills and time, you can apply this house siding option yourself using our step-by-step guide.
Working with stucco can be a time-consuming process that requires precision. If you don't have prior experience with this type of project, consider contacting a pro to ensure the job is done well.
Prepping to Stucco Your Home
Proper preparation is essential for a high-quality stucco finish with long-lasting results. Carefully plan out the project based on weather and your schedule.
Look at the Weather Forecast
The ideal weather for applying stucco is when the temperature falls between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit with minimal wind. Mild weather and cooler temperatures ensure the stucco cures well.
If the weather forecast predicts the temperature could drop below 40 degrees or rise above 90 degrees Fahrenheit in the next week, delay the project. If your stucco mix feels warm to the touch after mixing it, it’s too hot to apply. You can store mixed stucco under a tarp to preserve it until the weather cooperates with your project.
Map Out Your Timeline
Your stucco installation will take at least one to two weeks, depending on the type of framing and the number of coats of stucco you apply.
After preparing the surface for wood-framed and concrete board walls, you need three coats of stucco. The project usually takes two weeks or more to allow for cure time between coats. For masonry walls and poured concrete, you only need two coats, which you can finish in about one week.
Check Local Building Codes
Before starting your project, remember to review your local building codes to ensure you meet the wall assembly and moisture barrier requirements in your area. Guidelines vary based on your climate and type of weather your region experiences.
Preparing the Substrate: Wood-Framed and Concrete Board Walls
Preparing the substrate is an essential, multi-step process if you have standard wood-framed walls, including plywood, gypsum board, OSB, or concrete board. Follow these steps for best results.
Attach a Water-Resistive Barrier
Hang at least two layers of grade D waterproof paper or a drainage house wrap over the entire exterior, keeping in line with your local building codes. Attach the paper with galvanized nails or staples starting at the bottom. Overlap the vertical seams by 6 to 12 inches and the horizontal seams by 4 to 6 inches. Wrap the corners so there’s an overlap of 16 inches on both sides. Seal the seams with the tape provided by the paper manufacturer.
Install Trim Accessories
While following your local building codes, install trim accessories. Cut them to size with metal snips. The edges can be very sharp, so be sure to wear heavy-duty work gloves for this prep step.
Weep screeds: Install weep screeds along the bottom edge of all walls. These are necessary, as they allow water to escape from the wall. Use galvanized nails or screws to secure the pieces.
Casing beads: Place casing beads along the edges of the wall, doorways, and window trim to create clean edges and corners with level amounts of stucco. If you’re applying a three-coat system, your casing beads should be ¾ inch thick.
Galvanized expanded metal lath or woven wire stucco netting: Install galvanized metal lath or one-inch woven wire stucco netting over the entire wall surface, from bottom to top. Aim for a one-inch overlap on the horizontal seams, and two inches on the vertical seams. Secure your lath with galvanized nails or screws placed every six inches horizontally and vertically. Your nails or screws should enter into the studs at least one inch deep.
Control joints: Arrange and secure control joints to create square wall panels no larger than 144 square feet. Stucco shrinks as it cures, and control joints reduce shrinkage and cracking.
Expansion joints: Install expansion joints where there are existing expansion joints, on inside corners, and where the substrate changes. These joints allow for the expansion and contraction of wall panels when the temperature changes.
Corner trim: Secure corner trim pieces to all outside edges to create clean lines and protect exposed stucco.
Preparing the Substrate: Brick Masonry or Concrete Wall
If you're applying stucco to a concrete or brick wall, repair cracks with fresh mortar before starting the project. Wash the wall with a power washer or a mixture of equal parts vinegar and water. Wet the wall thoroughly before applying your first coat of stucco, preferably with a fog spray. The dampness improves how well the stucco adheres to the wall and prevents premature drying.
If your wall is painted, sealed, or too smooth for stucco, you can acid etch, sandblast, or use a brush hammer to roughen the surface. You can also apply a bonding agent on certain surfaces.
Keep in mind that brick and concrete walls only need two layers of stucco, the brown coat and the finish coat, and they do not require waterproof paper or metal lath.
Mix the Base Coat Stucco
Start by mixing a bag of base coat stucco following the manufacturer’s instructions in a wheelbarrow or mixing trough. Use just enough water so the stucco sticks to your trowel but doesn’t sag when you hold it at a 90-degree angle. Always mix with cool water, so the stucco doesn't dry out too quickly.
If you’re applying the stucco to a concrete or masonry wall, skip the scratch coat, and start with the brown coat.
Apply the Scratch Coat Stucco
Photo: wuttichok / Adobe StockUsing a square trowel, press the stucco into the metal lath with firm pressure and at an angle. Start at the bottom of the wall and work your way up.
With a darby or straight edge, screed the stucco into the wall using a back-and-forth motion across the surface. Aim to create a level covering of ⅜ inch thickness over the entire area. The metal lath should be completely covered with stucco.
Once the stucco becomes thumbprint hard (your thumbprint remains in the stucco when you press it), create horizontal grooves across the entire area with a racking tool or notched trowel. Keep your tool perpendicular to the wall during this process. The grooves should be about ⅛ inch deep, giving the next layer of stucco a strong surface to adhere to.
Let It Cure
Allow the scratch coat to cure for 48 to 72 hours before applying the next layer. To reduce cracking and shrinkage, mist or fog the area with water twice a day to keep it wet, especially if you live in a dry, hot area. You can use a gentle hose sprayer or a light sprinkler. If the stucco dries out, the next layer won’t adhere properly, so maintaining it during the curing process is essential.
Spread the Brown Coat
Once the curing step is complete, it’s time to move on to applying the brown coat. Mix the brown coat stucco according to the manufacturer’s directions. With a square trowel, apply the brown coat directly onto the scratch coat at an angle, working from bottom to top.
Using a straight board or darby, level the stucco to create a layer that’s about 3/8 inch thick. Fill any voids on the base coat. If you completed a scratch coat, the two coats together should be about 3/4 inch thick. Once the brown coat loses its sheen, smooth the surface with a stucco float.
Let It Wet Cure
Allow the brown coat to wet cure for at least seven days. Mist or fog the area with water to keep it wet for the first 48 hours. If it’s very sunny or windy, put up a sunshade or windbreak to allow the stucco to cure without interference.
Cover With the Finish Coat
Mix the finish coat based on the manufacturer’s instructions. Most finishes come in gray or white, but you can add a colorant to the finish mix if you wish.
With your trowel, apply a 1/8-inch finish coat to the wall. Start from the bottom and work toward the top. Apply a thin, even layer to achieve consistent coverage and color.
Float the surface to make it smooth or apply a decorative texture, such as a heavy lace, light lace, or dash. Consider using a texture roller for an easier finish. Practice your finish on the backside of the house in a discreet area before moving to the front of the house. Look at the texture from at least 30 feet away to decide if you enjoy the look or want to change your technique. Flatten the final texture with a trowel.
Wet Then Dry Cure
Use a water mist to keep the surface wet for at least three days, then let it dry cure until completely dry.
DIY Stucco vs. Hiring a Pro
DIY stuccoing an entire house is a giant project that can span weeks due to cure times between coats. It also requires specialized tools and techniques for a quality finished look that can be difficult for inexperienced homeowners to achieve.
Due to the technical aspects of the job and the time involved, hiring a pro is almost always the best option. The typical cost to stucco a house falls between $2,190 and $9,015, though prices can go up to $23,000. The cost of labor usually costs $2 to $3 per square foot. Hire a local stucco contractor to handle this tricky, time-consuming job for you to ensure it’s done safely and efficiently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Due to application and cure times between coats, stuccoing a house takes approximately two weeks. Applying the stucco takes an average of 50 work hours, and it’s often helpful to have at least two people working on the stucco to ensure even coats, coverage, and coloring.
You can apply stucco to wood by wrapping it with grade D waterproof paper, installing trim accessories such as metal lath, control joints, weep screeds, casing beads, and expansion joints, and applying the stucco in three layers. You’ll need a scratch coat, brown coat, and finish coat, all applied with a trowel and screeded with a darby or straight edge.
Yes, you can apply the stucco yourself, but it is an extensive project, especially on the exterior of a whole house. DIY stucco is better suited for repairing stucco siding or siding a smaller building, such as a shed or garage. Stuccoing a house is a difficult and time-intensive DIY project, but if you’re up for the challenge, you can cut down on costs doing it yourself.
There are many different siding options, so you’ll need to weigh your priorities in terms of budget, aesthetics, insulation, and other factors. Many people looking for an alternative to stucco consider fiber cement, stone veneer, brick, and vinyl. Wood is another affordable option that requires less maintenance than stucco.
