How to Apply Stucco to Your ICF Walls: Step-by-Step Guide

In the construction industry, stucco is one of the oldest exterior wall finishes. It’s still a well-liked choice due to its numerous advantages.

Due to its versatility, stucco can be bonded to a variety of substrates, including OSB, plywood, and concrete. Today, we’ll see if stucco can be applied to ICF (insulated concrete form) walls.

Therefore, this article will provide you with all the information you need if you’re planning a project of that nature.

Can ICF Be Stuccoed?

Stucco can be applied over ICF, of course. For insulated concrete forms, stucco is one of the best finishes.

On top of ICF, stucco produces an extremely aesthetically pleasing and long-lasting finish when properly installed.

On insulated concrete forms, however, stucco cannot be applied directly. To increase the adherence between the two materials, a metal lath is required.

How Is Stucco Applied on an ICF?

Step 1: Compile Necessary Materials

You will require enough stucco, a metal lath, and either a sprayer or a trowel to complete this project. Also, look for some sandpaper.

Step 2: Get the ICF Surface Ready

I’m going to assume you’ve already poured concrete inside the ICF and it’s dried. Cleaning the surface will be your first step. The adherence of stucco to ICF is known to be impacted by contaminants and dirt. A thorough cleanup is therefore essential.

It’s a good idea to sand the ICF’s surface after cleaning. By doing this, you can give the stucco a texture to bite into.

Even though sanding the ICF is not mandatory. Yes, it helps strengthen the connection between these two materials.

Step 3: Place the Stucco Base Coat

Apply the first coat of stucco with a trowel. This is known as the scratch coat a lot. Making a surface more favorable for the finish coat is the goal of a scratch coat.

Step 4: Attach the metal lath.

Installing a metal lath is necessary prior to applying the final coat. The reason this step is so important is that it strengthens the bond between the stucco and the insulated concrete forms.

The metal lath is intended to be screwed into the furring strips on the ICF. Make sure the attachment is tight.

Step 5: Use the final coat.

Applying the final coat is now necessary. However, wait until the first coat has completely dried before applying this. Usually, there is less finish coat.

Additionally, this is the stage where you can add texture or your chosen pattern. You’ll have successfully installed stucco on ICF after you finish that and give it enough time to dry.

Which Kinds of Stucco Are Appropriate for ICF?

There are various varieties of stucco, as you may already be aware, and they all have unique characteristics. These are some examples of the stucco types that can be applied to ICF:

• Portland cement stucco: Often referred to as traditional stucco, this is the kind most frequently used on forms made of insulated concrete. The longevity of traditional stucco is its best quality in my opinion.
• Acrylic stucco: Made of acrylic polymers, this is a synthetic form of stucco. These days, the majority of people favor this kind of stucco because it is more resilient to cracking.
• One-coat stucco: This kind of stucco only needs one coat, as the name would imply. If you want to finish your ICF walls as soon as possible, this is the best choice.

Make sure to take local climate, durability, and aesthetics into account before deciding on a specific type of stucco for ICF walls. You can only be sure of a durable finish over your ICF walls in this way.

In an ICF, how thick should stucco be?

Three primary factors determine the thickness of stucco on ICF: the base coat, metal lath, and finish coat. Typically, the metal lath is about 1/8 inch thick, with a base coat measuring 3/8 inch.

The final coat’s thickness can vary from 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch. Thus, if you combine all three, the result on insulated concrete forms should be stucco that is roughly 5/8 inch thick.

Consider local building codes when assessing the stucco thickness on ICF. Consider the climate in the area as well. Stucco needs to be applied much thicker in areas that frequently endure extreme weather.

Can ICF Walls With Curves Be Stuccoed?

Stucco can be used on curved ICF walls. But in this instance, you’ll require an additional set of abilities. The first thing you need to do is use flexible stucco, which is elastomeric and can conform to the curved shape of ICF walls.

A metal lath is compulsory. Additionally, because stucco in thin layers resists cracking better, you should use them in such a project.

Make sure to add control joints to the curved ICF wall joints in order to allow for expansion and contraction.

When applying stucco to an ICF, is moisture a concern?

Moisture control is essential whenever stucco is used. There are a few steps you can take to make sure that the water that passes through the stucco doesn’t reach the insulated concrete forms (ICF) because stucco is a porous material.

A weather-resistant barrier should be applied to the ICF’s exterior as the first line of defense.Moisture-repelling house wraps, like Tyvek, frequently work wonders.

Install flashing and weep screeds around windows and doors as well. They’ll deflect moisture from the stucco system and ICF wall.

Not only do the control joints I mentioned earlier allow for expansion and contraction, but they also serve as drainage points.

If you live in a place where there is a lot of rain, don’t be afraid to take additional moisture management steps.

ICF interior walls: Can They Be Stuccoed?

Using stucco as an interior wall finish is a recent trend among homeowners. The good news is that you can embrace such a design if you have ICF walls.

Internal ICF walls with stucco can look more aesthetically pleasing by having a Mediterranean look. The installation procedure remains unchanged from above; the only thing to note is that thickness must be considered.

To stop the stucco from discoloring, I would also suggest sealing it.

ICF Stucco Installation: Should I Hire a Professional Contractor?

That is dependent upon your level of experience. To install stucco on your insulated concrete forms, it is best to hire a professional contractor if you are not an expert in such matters.

Although it may seem simple on paper, applying stucco to ICF is actually more difficult than one may imagine. Installing something incorrectly can cause major issues down the road.

Furthermore, you might not be in compliance with local building codes if you lack skill. You can obtain a warranty and high-quality work when you work with an experienced contractor.

Consequently, I would advise you to list the advantages and disadvantages of each strategy if you have a project of this nature in mind. I am aware that the project will cost more when a contractor is hired. Are you prepared for such a task, though?