How to Stucco a Wood Wall

Adding stucco to a wood wall will add beauty and weather protection. Plus it can increase the value of your home. Follow these steps to stucco a wall.

Things You'll Need

• wire lath with a paper backer
• stucco trim
• tin snips
• nails or staples
• stucco mortar
• sand
• 5 gal. bucket
• mixer
• hose
• water
• flat trowel
• straight edge
• shovel
• stiff bristle brush

Instructions

1. Prepare the wall. All loose material must be removed from the area that the stucco will be applied. Use a shovel to dig a small trench next to the wall about six inches deep.

2. Install wire lath that has a paper backer. This wire lath is designed for stucco applications. It has tar paper ( looks like roofing paper ) glued to the back of the lath. Use tin snips to cut the lath to size. Place the pieces against the wall. The paper goes to the inside. Use a staple gun or nails to attach it.

3. Install stucco lathe trim pieces. These include corners, band trim and stucco stops. Install them the same way as the lath.

4. Mix the stucco mortar. Combine the mortar and sand in a bucket or mixer. Add the water. Mix with a drill and spade or use a mortar drum mixer. Stir for five minutes. You want the mixture to be the consistence of toothpaste.

5. Push the stucco mortar into the wire lath with a flat trowel. Use a lot of pressure. Start at the bottom of the trench and work up. Continue to add the mortar until it is 1/2 inch thick.

6. Use a straight edge to smooth the wall. Tip it so the edge plows across the top. remove all high spots. Use the excess to fill in any low spots.

7. Use a stiff bristle brush to spray stucco mortar onto the wall. Apply the spray to match the pattern you would you like.