There are several types of stucco used in home decorating, one of the most popular types is stucco, also known as concrete and mortar stucco, but it can be quite difficult to install stucco in your home without tools and experience. There are tools that can help you install stucco, but if you are not a handyman, you may want to hire a professional contractor to do the job for you.
Once you decide on what type of stucco you want to use in your home, the next important part of decorating your home with eye-catching stucco is the stucco itself. If you do not want to purchase a premixed stucco kit, you will have to start with a slab that you have brought from the manufacturer and mix the desired amount of stucco into the slab you will be using.
Before you install any stucco, it should be laid over a large piece of plywood or other flat surface. This prevents it from chipping or tearing as you work. If you purchase a premixed slab, it will come with a sheet of the stucco already cut out, but if you are working with a slab you will need to lay the stucco on the surface as it is needed.
If you plan on painting stucco, you will need to measure the area where you will be applying the stucco first. You should find out how many. ft. of surface area is required to paint the stucco before you start mixing the stucco.
Once you have the area pre-determined, you can start mixing the stucco and apply it to the surface, but be sure to remove the old stucco before starting the new layer. After you have mixed the stucco into the surface, pour in the mortar and carefully smooth the stucco around the edges.
When you are finished mixing the stucco, place the surface on a flat surface and mix it until it is about the consistency of icing. Remember to make sure the surface is clean. Do not leave any excess stucco as it will cause more mixing later.
Apply the stucco to the surfaces in the way you would paint it. It is best to let the stucco dry after it has been applied to avoid warping. As you work on any part of the home, brush it into the area with a clean piece of cloth. You may wish to use a toothbrush or even an awl to get the stucco to coat the surfaces evenly.
When you finish the surfaces, you should check that the stucco is all properly adhered to the surface. You should allow it to sit overnight and then sand the surfaces the following day. The stucco should dry completely before you place anything on top of it.
When you are ready to move on to the next surface, use a long brush to wipe off the excess stucco. If the stucco has any blotches or markings, you may have to repeat the steps of sanding and applying the stucco. Check on the surface each day and sanding as necessary.
While you are decorating your home with eye-catching stucco, you should also be thinking about what kind of paint you are going to use. If you decide to use a primer, then the colors of the stucco will have a good effect on the paint you use. The great thing about using stucco for paint, you can use any color you wish, but the trick is to match the colors as closely as possible.
Natural stucco, which is more opaque, is a great option for painting a wall. Many homeowners like the fact that it does not absorb easily, but it is best used with a primer to give it the best chance of looking good.
Natural stucco is the most common in homes, but it can be problematic for those with allergies or sensitive skin. if you choose to paint it with a primer, you can add a coat of latex based latex paint to the wall, this will help protect the surface from stucco as well as most stucco dries contain several elements that can damage the latex.