Plaster and Stucco

Unless you built your home yourself with very exacting specifications, chances are good that portions of it contain plaster or stucco. These building materials are extremely common, especially in Europe and North America. Here, we'll review some of the hottest trends in plaster and stucco, for exterior and interior applications. We'll also refresh your knowledge of the materials themselves, and give you some pointers on finding the best plaster and stucco professionals in your area.

Plaster and Stucco - A Brief History

Plaster and stucco are two of the oldest building materials known to man. In ancient times, builders had to use whatever was available to them in order to construct a safe and sturdy home. They discovered that mixing together lime, mud, clay, various types of animal hair, gypsum and sand (not all at the same time) would result in a strong home-building material. There are several colorful and interesting regional versions of old-school plaster, using the materials at hand. Hemp, moss and peat have all been used.

Today's plaster is made primarily with gypsum. Gypsum is a mineral compound. It's also known as calcium sulphate dihydroxide, or as sulphate of lime. Found near lime deposits, it makes an excellent building material due to its durability, resistance to heat, and easy cutting.

Since the molecules in gypsum bond with each other when they dry, most of today's plaster and stucco mixes do not contain any type of animal hair.

Interior Plaster Work

Although the terms are occasionally used interchangeably, plaster and stucco have one very important difference. Plaster can't be used on outside walls. When plaster gets wet, it breaks down, and so an exterior plaster wall simply wouldn't make sense. In very damp areas, in fact, an extra “air barrier” is sometimes created between the plaster wall and the home's exterior in order to prevent the plaster from breaking down.

Interior plasterwork can be very utilitarian, with plain, smooth or lightly textured surfaces. This is the least expensive option and ideal for areas like basements, or areas where you want a plain backdrop for other forms of decorating. However, it can also be finished in a number of trendy and exciting ways.

Venetian Plaster

Without question, the hottest trend in plasterwork today is the use of Venetian plaster. This plaster is specifically formulated, and is applied in many different decorative finishes. The basic principles are the same, regardless of the desired finished appearance. A base coat of paint or primer is usually applied; as is a base coat of rough plaster (different brands of Venetian plaster have different specifications. Several thin coats of Venetian plaster are applied, directly on top of each other, before they have a chance to dry. This rough plaster is then polished. The end result is a surface with a dramatic yet understated depth, very attractive for any room in your home!

Color and effects are the real attractions when it comes to Venetian plaster. Special aggregates can be added to the plaster itself to deliver a sparkling effect or a subtle shimmer. This shimmering effect can be neutral or colored. When combined with the limitless amount of available plaster colors and finishes, you can imagine how many potential looks can be achieved with this simple technique!

As with any decorative design element, Venetian plasterwork should be a reflection of your own personal style. However, there are some very attractive color combination trends which may suit your style perfectly, or give you some ideas. Perhaps the most popular is a combination of shimmering gray, deep wine and deep gold. This look is rich yet accessible at the same time, and pairs surprisingly well with many different decorating styles.

Other popular combinations include various grays mixed together for a neutral palette (great for displaying distinctively or richly colored accessories), grays with light green for an environmental look, and grays mixed with a bright pop of color, such as pink, purple or blue for walls that make a statement all on their own.

Decorative Techniques

There are several old methods of decorative plaster work which are not yet as popular as Venetian plaster, but which are rapidly developing fans around the world. One of these is graffito, a method in which a layer of stucco is applied and let to dry. Another layer is applied on top of it, and a design is applied which allows the first layer to show through. This technique was actually an old form of advertising, and can been seen in many stunning examples throughout Europe. Primarily used in exterior design, it can be truly striking when used in smaller areas indoors.

Scagliola is another old-world method gaining new popularity today. This technique creates the look of marble by combining stucco with several other components. Traditionally used in ornate public buildings, savvy design-forward homeowners are finding ways to incorporate this look into the interior of their homes as well as the exterior.

One of the most familiar forms of decorative plaster is molding. This can be done in a variety of different ways. You can create a molded border along a ceiling, or you can create a stunning effect by molding crowns, images or designs into a ceiling itself. The possibilities are limited only by your imagination, and they range from old-world and ornate to modern and sleek.

Exterior Stucco Work

Stucco is a mixture of Portland cement, water, lime and sand. Many modern brands also contain acrylics and fibers, which add strength and durability. Unlike plaster, stucco is weatherproof in most formulations, and so it's appropriate for use on home exteriors. In fact, stucco is one of the most popular ways to finish a home, as an alternative to siding.

Stucco can be applied very simply, by literally throwing the mixture at the wall and then smoothing it over. However, the more traditional and efficient methods are trowel application and spraying.

Depending on the style of your home, and your own personal style, the finish of your stucco can vary a great deal. Many homeowners like the textured appearance of stucco. This can be achieved through the use of specialized tools. Others prefer to have the stucco smoothed to a lightly textured, swirled appearance. If polished, this method can actually resemble marble.

As with interior plasterwork, most forms of stucco can be enhanced by the addition of shimmering particles (very popular in achieving the look of stone) or color. Ask your contractor; in most cases stucco can be customized to achieve exactly the color, texture and depth you specify.

Stucco Concerns

You may have heard some negative things about stucco. This is because there have been a few very large-scale lawsuits involving homes and buildings which were improperly stuccoed and which developed toxic mold.

This is a very serious problem. In many cases, these buildings had to be stripped down to their foundations and rebuilt. The problem was caused by improper application of synthetic stucco, which was not allowed to “breathe” properly, retained water, and ultimately bred mold.

This is easily avoided. Make sure that your contractor is experienced in the application of stucco. Some recommend avoiding the material altogether if you live in a humid climate; ask around to determine what the most successful strategies are.

If you do choose stucco, remember that it has traditionally been low-quality synthetic forms of stucco which caused issues. Tell your contractor that you would prefer the highest quality materials available, even if they cost a bit more. You may well be saving yourself thousands of dollars in repairs.

Finding the Right Plaster and Stucco Contractor

A few common-sense guidelines will help you find the most appropriate contractor for your home-improvement project. Find somebody who is experienced in exactly the type of work you want done. A master at crafting plaster moldings, for example, may know little to nothing about exterior stucco work. Be specific when asking about experience.

Find somebody local. Websites which allow you to search for contractors in your area make this a simple task. Not only is a local contractor much less expensive and more convenient, but they are much more likely to know just how a potentially troublesome material such as stucco performs in your location.

As with any home-improvement project, read customer reviews and ask about licensing and insurance before making your hiring decision. If possible, view pictures of (or go and see for yourself) the contractor's work. Don't be afraid to insist on proper licensing and insurance for all workers. This can save you money if an accident was to occur, and it also ensures that the injured party will be properly treated.

Talk through your project with your contractor. Make sure that they can deliver the exact product you're envisioning (such as a specific color or finish) before you begin. By talking through the entire project from start to finish, you can identify any potential issues before they become money-wasting delays.