How to Stucco Over Wood? – Complete Guide

This guide is all about stucco. You’ll learn about what stucco is, where it works best, what stucco is made of, and more importantly, how to stucco over wood.

You may not know what stucco is, but you probably have read, seen, or heard about stucco before now.

Usually, stucco is used as a finisher for buildings and homes because stucco has a textured and natural style.

You could add design patterns using stucco within or outside your building with a variety of styles and colors.

So, What is Stucco?

As I’ve stated earlier, stucco is a finisher used on walls or surfaces in order to give it the desired texture and color.

It is sturdy and that’s why it could be used on both indoor and outdoor surfaces.

When considering how to stucco over wood, the first thing you do is add felt to the wood to support the weight of the mortar used by the stucco

An Overview of What Stucco is Made of

Stucco is made from a mixture of sand, cement, lime, and water. Stucco comes in different textures and colors.

It adds texture finish to walls and comes in two major types widely known as the 1 coat system and the 3 coat system respectively.

Each system varies slightly on what they are used for and how they are used. The 3-coat system (used for materials like wood), is known for strength and it is made of plastic cement, which comes with a mixture of lime.

As for the three-coat system, its base coat is made of water, cement, and sand. Moreso, it contains acrylic additives and a few pieces of fiberglass just so it can be water-resistant, and as well appear stronger.

Note: The kind of stucco that we use for exterior surfaces is quite different from the one we use on interior surfaces

Some Examples of Stucco

There are 2 main types of finishes, but their appearance and texture may differ.

We have multiple finishes with unique styles that can be customized to add extra texture to your house and create the desired traditional or contemporary look.

Below, you can find two of the widely popular options:

1. Dash Finish

This type of finish is sprayed and has a lot of texture with lots of small stones and aggregates. This gives it a grainy finish and is ideal if you are looking for a unique exterior.

2. Sand Finish

This particular finish is very similar to the dash finish but seems to be easier to apply. It also has aggregates which add a little amount of texture to the building.

If there is a slight protrusion from the wall or a further protrusion such as clumps of sand, it can be made very beautiful.

An Ideal Climate For Stucco

Stucco is nice & durable, and it works well in both hot and cold climates. However, it might not be the perfect choice for someone who lives in an area with frequent snowstorms or heavy rains.

Factors such as snow, heavy rain, or even hail can destroy the appearance or beauty of stucco.

However, stucco’s biggest problem is water absorption. When it rains or when the snow melts, it is absorbed by the plaster, creating moisture behind its surface.

Stucco is known to withstand high or low temperatures, but should not be used in humid climates. Stucco will not last long as it would in humid or rainy areas as it would in dry climates all year round.

Some siding options are suitable for moist climates too. Be sure that you at least know how to partially install stucco over wood before trying it out.

How To Install Stucco Over Wood – Complete Steps

Using stucco over materials like wood could be messy if done wrongly. So, knowing how to apply stucco over wood will save you lots of time, stress, and money to hire a professional.

Following the steps I laid down in this guide would definitely lead to a more beautiful positive result.

Step #1: Add Felt

Stucco cannot be applied directly to wood. The wood must be properly covered so that it can support the weight of the mortar used for stucco.

You should begin by nailing 15-pound roofing felt directly into the wood. Start at the lowest of the wall and overlap every pinnacle part as you flow up the surface.

Continue till all of the wood has been protected through the felt, this is to keep the wood from water damage.

Step #2: Use Netting

Next, the roofing felt should be covered with a 17-gauge metal mesh for the mortar to adhere properly. It is usually provided in rolls that are 150 feet long.

Cut where needed and nail over the felt. Attach the net to the felt using galvanized roof nails.

Step #3: Add a Scratch Coat

At this point, you are ready to start applying stucco properly. Mix a large amount of mortar mix and start applying to the felt and metal net.

This first layer or scratch layer gives the stucco a solid base.

The thickness should be ¼ inch to ½ inch and should be firmly fitted into the net using a trowel.

The mortar itself should stick out of the net. The net acts as a solid foundation for keeping the dry mortar in place.

Let the mortar dry a little. Do not wait until it is almost completely dry. Take the plasterer’s rake and score through the mortar to a depth of about 1/8 inch.

Be sure to complete one wall before moving on to the next.

Step #4: Cure

Now you need to give enough time to dry the mortar, about 48 hours should do it.

During this time, it is sometimes necessary to mist the mortar on the walls to keep the interior moist.

When working in the midst of a hot and dry summer, the misting needs to be done more often.

Step #5: Add a Final Coat

Once the scratch coat has been set, you can start the application of the stucco final coat. Use a flat-finishing trowel and a thin layer of mortar.

The thickness is about 1/8 inch to 1/4. Inch. If you want to add color to the stucco, mix the pigments thoroughly before adding them to the mortar, then stir until they are completely mixed.

After applying the mortar, you can use the plasterer’s rake to scrape the stucco to the desired texture. Give the finished coat a few days, cure and spray regularly.

If you want to apply paint, wait 6 weeks before doing so.

And there you have it, following this guide to the latter should get you a beautifully textured stucco finishing on your wooden surface.

BONUS: Tips to Consider

As a bonus, I’ll give you a few tips to help guide you when choosing your stucco final coat finishes.

Tip1 – Choosing a finish

Well, there are two different kinds of finishes to be used as a final coat for your stucco. These are the cement and acrylic finishes.

Note: Both can be used on exterior and interior surfaces, both having color added but keep in mind that the acrylic option has a brighter finish.

Tip2 – Using Cement

If you use a cement finish, mix the cement with sand and water before adding color to the mixture.

You can use the color chart to select the shade you want, or you can create a custom color.

Tip3 – Using Acrylic

Acrylic finishing is done in a similar way, but the mix contains crushed stone debris to add texture.

You can color this finish in the same way as a cement finish, but the acrylic stucco is brighter and more vibrant.

Conclusion

So In conclusion, stucco can be a great option for the interior or exterior of your building, the strength and durability can prevent damage to your walls.

It will also give your building a nice, and beautiful finish.

If you are ready to have stucco installed on your building, and you don’t know how to stucco over wood.

I advise you to hire a professional to avoid making mistakes that could ruin the finishing.