By Barry Stone
Dear Barry,
My home has grooved plywood siding, and I'm interested in changing to a stucco exterior. I've been told that this provides fire protection and improved soundproofing, but I've got some questions. Does the wood siding need to be removed before installing the stucco, and is paint needed to make the stucco finish waterproof? - Mary
Dear Mary,
Installing stucco on a wood-sided home is an excellent way to upgrade the rigidity of the structure, improve energy efficiency, reduce the transmission of outside noise, and significantly minimize future maintenance. Basically, you will be wrapping your home in a continuous envelope of wire and cement.
Removal of the existing plywood siding is not necessary prior to stuccoing your home. The wire and paper wrap can be installed directly over the siding, as long as the nailing of the mesh coincides with the layout of the wall framing beneath the siding. Painting the stucco is not necessary to provide adequate waterproofing, as the asphalt paper backing provides the necessary moisture barrier. However, elastomeric paint can be applied for added moisture-proofing.
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