Stucco molding, also referred to as stucco "ground" or "ground molding," is a shaped trim made of redwood, cedar or composite material that acts as a finished edge and screed for the stucco. It is installed around the frames of doors, windows and any other location on an exterior wall where the stucco terminates. Application of stucco molding around an exterior door is an example of the procedure commonly used for all stucco molding installation.
Things You'll Need
Tape measure
Miter saw
Hammer
8d galvanized finish nails
Wood glue or construction adhesive
Step 1
Measure the vertical distance on either side of the exterior door jamb, from the top of the door sill to the top horizontal jamb.
Step 2
Measure the length determined in Step 1 and mark a piece of stucco molding to that length plus an additional 1/4 inch. The mark is the short-point of the corner angle cut, and should be placed on the inside edge of the stucco molding piece. For reference, the concave edge of the stucco molding is installed toward the stucco finish side.
Step 3
Cut the stucco molding piece to the length marked in Step 2, using a miter saw.
Step 4
Position the stucco molding piece against the outside edge of the door jamb, aligned 1/4 inch from the inside jamb edge. Attach the molding, using galvanized finish nails. Standard nail spacing is about 8 inches apart, or as needed.
Step 5
Cut a 45-degree angle on one end of a piece of stucco molding to be installed horizontally across the door header. Cut the end to match the top angle of the side piece installed in Step 4, using the miter saw.
Step 6
Measure the inside width dimension at the top of the door opening. Measuring from the short-point of the angle cut in Step 5, mark this dimension plus 1/2 inch on the inside edge of the piece of stucco molding. This marks the short-point of the opposing 45-degree angle of the molding piece.
Step 7
Cut the stucco molding piece for the door header to the length marked in Step 6, using a miter saw.
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Step 8
Position the stucco molding header piece cut in Step 7 against the outside edge of the door jamb across the top, aligned 1/4-inch from the inside jamb edge and attach the molding using galvanized finish nails. A small dab of wood glue or construction adhesive can be applied to the mitered joints to hold the joints firmly together.
Step 9
Repeat Steps 1 through 4 to cut and install the vertical stucco molding piece for the opposite side of the door opening to complete the stucco molding installation.
Tip
The installation of stucco molding for window openings follows the same procedure, with the addition of a bottom horizontal piece at the window’s sill edge.
For door and window corners, the mitered angle will be 45 degrees. For a continuing length, the angle cut is typically 15 degrees for an end lap joint, although a butt joint can also be used.
The factory ends on stucco molding are often rough cut and should be trimmed with the miter saw, even with butt joints, to insure a tight fit.
Warning
When properly installed, the concave side of the stucco molding faces the stucco finish so that the stucco material can “lock” into the concave space.