Although used interchangeably with “plaster,” stucco now usually refers to an exterior finish, while plaster is considered a suitable option for interior walls. Some historic homes were designed with stucco as the intended finish, though many historic brick exteriors were replaced with stucco due to its increased popularity during particular decades of the 19th and (early) 20th centuries. If you are considering removing or repairing stucco on your historic brick home, it’s essential to understand the pros and cons of this ubiquitous building material before you decide to get started.
What Is Stucco?
Historic stucco combines lime, water, sand and natural binders. Today’s stucco uses Portland cement and gypsum to create the base layers, although some mixes use acrylic. When stucco dries, it makes a cement-like finish that can be smooth, textured, or scored to look like stone.
How Is Stucco Applied?
Stucco is applied directly to bricks, and the original lime-based mortar was likely raked out to provide additional adhesion points for the stucco. In some cases, the historic brick was gouged for the same reason, meaning your covered-up brick may be damaged. Often, the interiors of historic homes have plaster walls that aren’t directly on the brick. Instead, horizontal wooden strips nailed to vertical strips created areas for the stucco to adhere to. This is called plaster and lath.
Is Stucco Better Than Brick?
Stucco was once touted as a superior product to brick, but over time, homeowners found it required similar upkeep to prevent it from deteriorating. Stucco does have benefits as an interior and exterior finish for your walls, but it’s important to balance the pros and cons of each building material to get the overall picture.
Pros:
Protection: Stucco can protect historic brick from moisture, wind and temperature fluctuations. However, well-maintained brick can withstand the elements without additional protection.
Durability: Stucco can last a very long time, but so can brick. Whether or not stucco will require the same maintenance will depend on the type of stucco and the climate where the house is located.
Repairability: Even badly damaged stucco can often be repaired and restored in the right hands.
Cost-Effective: Leaving historic stucco in place and performing maintenance may be less expensive than removing it.
Historic Integrity: Some consider the switch from brick to stucco on both interiors and exteriors to have historic value, so leaving it in place may be justified.
Cons:
Cracks: Over time, stucco is notorious for cracking, leading to the need for ongoing maintenance. These cracks can lead to moisture damage, harming both the stucco and the brick underneath.
Minimal Insulation: While there is some improvement, historic stucco over bricks doesn’t provide a great deal of insulation over the bricks alone.
Stains: Over time, water and dirt can permanently stain stucco, so it’s important to keep it clean.
Compromised History: The other side of the historical integrity argument is that some people feel that stucco detracts from the original character and architecture of the home and should be removed; they prefer the look of the original brick regardless of the fact that it may need extensive repair once exposed.
Risk of Damage: Removing stucco risks damaging the historic brick, and there’s no way to know if the brick is already damaged without consulting an expert.
Should I Remove the Stucco from my Historic Brick?
Stucco removal and repair requires a professional's expert skills, and this is especially true of historic brick homes. Due to the specialized materials and techniques, it’s wise to consult with an expert who can evaluate your property and determine if the stucco can be safely removed or whether it might be better to repair it, taking into consideration what is period-appropriate for your home, and ensuring its historical integrity. When properly maintained, both stucco and brick are beautiful options for a historic home whose curb appeal will last for many years to come.
Renaissance Development, experts in tuckpointing historic brick homes in DC, offers free consultations regarding stucco over brick, as well as other improvements to your property such as repair or restoration of retaining walls, patios, front steps, urban gardens, iron work, and wooden fencing. Contact us and ask about our special Winter Promotion.
