Many texturing options are available to finish stucco walls.
Metal lath provides the structural support necessary to hold the weight of stucco siding to a vertical surface. The lath has tiny openings that the stucco fills in, creating "keys." Once the stucco dries in the lath, a solid base for the stucco walls forms. Metal lath helps to create a uniformly flat surface for stucco installation as well.
Rib Lath
There are two basic types of metal lath: ribbed and diamond mesh. The manufacturing process punches, slits and expands the metal to form a webbed material. Rib lath has vertical rows, or ribs, that give it additional strength and stiffness. The ribs may rise above the surface 1/8 inch or more, while some ribs simply provide a solid line in the mesh. The thicker ribs provide self-furring for the project, making it unnecessary to add backing behind the lath to create an even wall surface. Rib lath provides the structural strength necessary to hold soffits in place.
Diamond Mesh Lath
Diamond mesh lath starts as a sheet of copper alloy steel or galvanized sheet metal. Holes of varying size make diamond mesh lath flexible. It's easy to install over vertical walls as well as irregularly shaped architectural features. Diamond mesh is available in sheets for wall installation, as stripite for small patching jobs and as cornerite for reinforcing stucco corners.
Stucco
Traditional stucco, or Portland cement plaster, is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. This mixture of Portland cement, sand and water is inexpensive to install and lasts for many years with minimal maintenance. Stucco sheds water easily and is fire-resistant. While its porous surface allows some moisture in, it quickly drains it out so the infrastructure of the house doesn't develop rot or mold. Stucco works well in all climates. Because you can color stucco during its application, there's no need to paint it.
Installation
The first phase of metal lath and stucco installation is to cover the walls with metal lath. Start at the lower right corner and attach metal lath with screws or staples to the building's sheathing. Overlap lath by at least 1 inch on its ends and along each side. Once the entire wall has a covering of lath, press a scratch coat, or first coat, of stucco about 3/8 inch thick into the metal lath. Leave this surface rough. Allow it to dry enough to adhere the second, or brown coat, of stucco, which should be thick enough to add a total depth of 1 inch of stucco to the wall. Smooth the brown coat's surface and allow it to dry at least 48 hours. Apply a thin, third coat, called the finish coat, to the brown coat. Texture the finish coat or leave it smooth. Adding color to the finish coat is another option.
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