When you are building your custom home in Austin, you may consider using stucco. This construction material is made out of cement, builder’s sand, hydrated lime, and water. It is similar to plaster. Many residential and commercial buildings utilize stucco in both the interior and exterior because of its textured style. Plus, stucco has the benefits of being resistant to fire, termites, and noise. Still, despite its durability, this construction material comes with a lot of potential faults. Find out more about what it would mean to have Austin custom home builders seal your new house with stucco.
What Finishes Can Stucco Have?
Following the final coat of stucco, you have several options for finishes. First, there is a cement finish. Cement is mixed with sand and water, then has color added to it. You are able to pick any shade you want. Another stucco finish is acrylic. It is made in a similar way to cement, but also had pieces of crushed stones mixed in. Acrylic colors are often more vibrant. Variants in textures and styles include the cat face finish (a smooth surface with rough areas), the sand finish (a delicate texture achieved by a foam float), and the Santa Barbara finish (a semi-smooth surface often used on Spanish-style homes). Chat with your Austin custom home builder to determine which one is right for you.
How Labor-Intensive is Stucco Application?
When you work with Austin custom home builders, they are well-versed in applying stucco. This is a good thing because the specialized job of stucco application needs a skilled contractor. Even ambitious DIYers should steer clear from this task. Because stucco is installed in layers, it is a time-consuming and labor-intensive process. The contractor will gradually build up the thickness of the siding. What this means for you, as the homeowner, is that labor costs might be higher than other siding methods. After stucco has been applied, you are going to need to maintain it by regularly cleaning the porous material. With a little care, you can keep your stucco looking distinctive well into the future.
What are the Signs of Stucco Failure?
Testing for moisture in your stucco can be a bit of a burden. You have to drill small holes through the side of your house for the sake of exterior probe testing. Once those holes are drilled, you will use a moisture probe to check inside of the wall for water content. Otherwise, you could go a more high-tech route with video scope testing or utilizing an infrared camera. The problem is that both of these options are quite limited compared to the more reliable exterior probe testing. So, before you start drilling, note that your stucco might be defective or damaged if it has these symptoms:
Leaks in the Siding
Although a benefit of stucco is that it is moisture-resistant, beware of moisture intrusion. This could be a sign of deficiency in your home’s exterior, which can be handled by Austin custom home builders. Because stucco homes are prone to water retention, they may gradually experience water damage.
Photo by Erik Mclean on Pexels
Missing or Aged Caulking
Keep an eye on the state of your home’s windows and doors. How does the caulking look around the interior trim? If the adhesion is no longer present or the caulking is dried, the area will have a higher probability of air and water intrusion.
Rot Near Fixtures
If you find that there are entire missing pieces of stucco, that is a significant problem. The same goes for any cracks and stains, or if the stucco turns black. This indicates that water has likely entered the wall cavity, which could cause damage to your electrical outlets and pipes.
Incompatibility with Wood
Austin custom home builders recommend not building wood-framed chimneys if you are wanting to use stucco. Although many homes have attempted the combination, the two materials simply do not get along. Still, for those committed to installing stucco over wood, know that it is a large undertaking that could cost a lot more to fix if not handled correctly.
What Happened with the Florida Stucco Lawsuits?
Did you know that the majority of Florida homes are covered in stucco? Given the possibilities of stucco failure when not applied properly, this could mean a mass amount of damage across communities… And that is exactly what happened. Back in 2016, it was reported by Action News Jax that builder KB Home agreed to pay approximately $23 million in a settlement. This settlement was over the company’s alleged violations of the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, which came down to problems with stucco. Thousands of homeowners and commercial property owners across Florida had fallen victim to defective stucco installation. By the time they noticed the signs of failure, the damage was already done.
Do Homeowners in Austin Commonly Use Stucco?
You want to get a good return on investment when it comes to home siding. It is a big decision when working with an Austin custom home builder. One of the most highly sought-after exteriors in the Austin area is wood, despite its expensive maintenance cost and product price. Wood has a high insulation value and provides natural cooling, making it perfect for the typically sunny, warm weather of Austin. Other popular materials include fiber cement and vinyl. With stucco’s average lifespan lasting for decades, it finds itself among the top the top choices. Despite this construction material’s shortcomings, a skilled stucco installer can help you reap the benefits.