What Is a Stucco Textured Coat?

Traditional Stucco

• The traditional technique for applying stucco consists of three layers of plaster or cement applied one on top of the other. The first layer, called the scratch coat, is applied over a metal screen that is attached to the wall over a moisture barrier. The scratch coat is given a grooved texture to provide a better grip for the next layer, the brown coat, which gives the wall a level surface. A finish coat, sometimes called a texture coat, is then applied over the brown coat.

One-Coat Stucco

• A newer technique, referred to as a one-coat process, is actually applied in two coats. An initial coat of cement is applied over an insulating foam board; then a finish coat is applied over the first coat. The foam board essentially acts as a scratch coat, and the initial coat functions as a brown coat to bring the wall to its full thickness and level. The texture coat in a one-coat system is applied in the same way as it's applied in a conventional process.

Textures

• As its name suggests, the texture coat is used to create an aesthetic texture on the surface of the wall. The cement mixture for the texture coat typically uses less sand than the brown coat cement, which gives the texture coat cement a smoother, more workable consistency. The texture applied with the finish coat can vary, from a smooth surface to a subtle eggshell-like texture to a dramatically rough finish. Sometimes a thin fourth coat, marked with swirls or other patterns, is applied over the finish coat.

Color

• Color can also be applied to the wall with the finish coat. To color the texture coat, powdered dyes are mixed with water and incorporated directly into the cement mixture. Alternatively, the texture coat can be left in its natural color, and the surface of the wall can be painted after the cement has thoroughly dried. The cement can take several weeks to dry, but painting, before it's completely dry, can lock in moisture and cause premature deterioration of the stucco.