Why Are Ceilings Stuccoed?

About Stucco

• Stucco is a mixture of Portland cement, water and sand. It should not be confused with ceiling popcorn, which is composed of polystyrene. Popcorn has a thicker, cottage cheese appearance, whereas stucco appears thick and textured while still maintaining a smooth appearance. This appearance is one of the benefits of stucco as it provides texture and contrast to an otherwise flat and dull ceiling.

Covering Flaws

• Stucco on a ceiling serves one particular purpose above all others: It covers up flaws and faults in a ceiling. Most ceilings consist of a drywall material, such as gypsum plaster, and this material can crack, fade or become discolored over time. By covering it with stucco, you can maintain an attractive appearance even if visible defects should arise on the drywall surface or if the drywall was poorly installed in the first place.

Easy Installation

• Applying stucco to a ceiling requires very little time, money or effort. In fact, with a specialized sprayer, you can apply the material right onto a ceiling in minutes, without the need of ladders, brushes or adhesives. You do not even need to sand it, and painting is entirely optional. Most importantly, stucco installation still offers some aesthetic appeal, as opposed to more outdated ceiling textures, such as acoustic or popcorn.

Benefits

• Though a stuccoed ceiling primarily conceals flaws and defects, it can also have some practical benefits as an added bonus. For instance, a stucco-textured ceiling may improve the sound insulation of a room. By providing a sound barrier, stucco may improve the overall acoustics of the environment. Lastly, you have the visual appeal of a textured ceiling. Of course, the look may not complement every home so take careful consideration before installing stucco on your ceiling.