FAQ’s

Parging & Stucco Questions 

Does Stucco have a lifespan? What is Parging? What are the advantages of stucco anyways? You’ve got questions, and we have the answers!

Parging is a precise mixture of sand, Portland cement, lime, and water. It forms a protective outer layer that shields the building from harmful climatic conditions. It has been in use for thousands of years.

• Does parging have a lifespan?

  There is no definite life span for parging but it is known that it is very durable and in many cases it outlasts other finishing products. The benefits of parging is that it is low maintenance, weather resistant, non-combustible, and it performs well in a variety of climate conditions.

• What is Parging?

  Parging is a thin coat of plaster or mortar for giving a relatively smooth surface to rough masonry or for sealing it against moisture particularly along exposed foundations.

• What is acrylic stucco?

  There are two principle types of stucco finish, sand-cement and acrylic. Both incorporate the same traditional sand-cement basecoat, but the latter contains a flexible acrylic-based top layer. Acrylic stucco is more time consuming to apply, but is considered to be more water-resistant. Acrylic is a man made synthetic coat.

• What colors does stucco come in?

  IMASCO has over 103 colors. Because the color is included in the mixture, it will never fade or require painting.

• What are EIFS?

  External Insulating Finishing Systems (EIFS) is a variation of the traditional stucco system. It combines stucco cladding with a polystyrene insulating foam. EIFS has been in use throughout North America for over 25 years on a wide variety of buildings and architectural designs.

• What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of stucco/parging compared to other finishing material?

  Stucco/parging is low maintenance, weather resistant, durable, insect proof, impact and noise resistant. It also performs well in a variety of climate conditions. Stucco/parging has been proven to be fire resistant for up to an hour, which definitely sets it apart from siding and it is the only exterior finish that studies have shown will improve the buildings ability to withstand an earthquake. The only disadvantage to stucco is that initially it takes longer to apply but in the long-term the value far outweighs the time taken to apply.

• Are you able to paint over stucco?

  Yes you can paint stucco if you use a paint that is compatible with your existing stucco finish.

• How Long Does it Take for Parging to Dry?

  Just because the surface of new parging is firm to the touch does not mean it is dry. The water in the mix must release slowly for proper drying. The moisture level in both the mix applied to exterior walls and in the atmosphere is important. If the atmosphere is dry, the water in the stucco mix will be pulled from all three layers too quickly and the stucco will not be strong. When the days are cool and damp, the conditions are good for drying stucco. The ideal time to apply exterior stucco is in the summer and early autumn. The outside temperature ranges for proper drying of stucco from a low of 4 degrees C to a high of 32 degrees Celsius.

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