STUCCO NEWS.NET

First a question:

What do you think of the idea of leaving tyvek in place but covering it with tar paper? This assumes you know what the structure under neath is like ( gaps between plywood/ osb etc.)..

Second:

I absolutely love your approach to your craft/art. I ran a painting company for years in California with the same ethic... Always trying to do it the right way. I remember a few stucco walls we put up with tar paper, 'stucco netting' ( a very heavy chicken wire) put on with cardboard washered nails, Z flashing and three coats over four or five days. Thirty years later and multiple coats of paint, those wall are still in perfect shape (even in earthquake country)...

I am reading over your entire site... I am anticipating buying a synthetic stuccoed house and replacing it with the real stuff. I have plastered quite a bit over the years (including a Frescoe!) though I know I can't approach your level of expertise, I hope to be able to do this myself.... Economic realities require that I do most of the work and that I buy one of these synthetic stucco homes....

Thanks for all you do...

Thanks so much for your question and comments.

We quit tearing off the tyvek years ago. I just cover the tyvek with tarpaper.

It is real unpopular tearing off the tyvek, particularly when someone takes a lot of time to put it on. Nowadays, the tyvek is done much better as a rule, with the inside of the window openings wrapped, and everything taped together, it can be harmful to take off the tyvek. A second layer of a vapor barrier is ideal, and at least the tarpaper is directly in contact with the stucco mortar. It is real nice, however, when the house,(or addition or whatever) is wrapped with tar paper and we just put a second layer on top. One thing we are missing is the ability to inspect the framing or sheathing. Another thing we are missing is being able to check to see if electrical boxes are covered up, or other details neglected.