There are a few different stucco textures that can be achieved and having a look at all of them can give you a general idea of what to expect and maybe even help you decide on which one you want to use on your house.
Cat Face Texture:
Is smooth with smaller to larger rough areas in between as you can see in the pictures below. These are known as inclusions and can vary in size, shape and how often they are used throughout the finish.
- Can be achieved using a synthetic OR traditional type of stucco
- Can vary greatly, depending on how large and close inclusions are in relation to each other
- Achieved using two coats of finish
- Can be troweled on or sprayed on, but always is finished off by hand
- Usually done in either a fine or medium stucco product
Dash Finish:
This finish is sprayed on and can be light, medium or heavy in volume and has it’s own unique look. This texture can be applied by hand (for smaller areas) or sprayed on (using a small hopper gun). Two to three coats are usually applied in order to achieve a uniform coat.
- Both synthetic and traditional stucco will work for this particular texture
- Easily patched, providing that the color matches up correctly
- Somewhat rough after it dries, which may be a problem for some
- One person can apply this type of texture
- Is applied using more air pressure (fine), an even amount of air and material (medium) or more material and less air (heavy texture)
Lace Textures:
These textures are one of the most common and are typically what is engrained in most people’s minds when the think of stucco. This texture can hide many imperfections and is great for virtually any application, residential or commercial.
- Traditional stucco is more common when it comes to this finish, but it can be done in an acrylic, but it will not have the depth that traditional stucco will
- Applied by hand in most cases, but can be sprayed on and then “knocked down” (flattened) using a trowel
- Can hide many imperfections and is a great “forgiving” texture
- Is applied in two coats, a base coat and then the texture is applied
- Comes in a fine, medium and coarse pattern
Sand Or Float Finish:
This is a basic and simple kind of texture that is popular in commercial applications. It can be fine, medium or coarse in appearance and varies depending on the manufacturer. It is troweled down and finished using a float and quick strokes.
- Is a very versatile finish and can be done using traditional or synthetic stucco
- Can be applied in one coat and is one of the easiest to apply
- Is usually troweled on, but can be sprayed on and then troweled down tight
- A “green float” gives the finish its texture
- Found in fine, medium and coarse finishes
- Relatively easy to patch if color matches up and edges are feathered in nicely
Smooth Finishes:
These are one of the most difficult textures to achieve, but is growing in popularity. It is the easiest to clean and is very customizable due to the fact that different colors can be added to get a “mottled look”.
- Is usually a synthetic/acrylic stucco finish, but can be achieved using a fine cement based finish
- Usually a fine is used to eliminate as many lines as possible, but a medium will also work when using acrylics
- Achieved using a “swimming pool trowel” or a “pool” trowel
- Colors can be added directly to the wall to achieve a “mottled” look
- Is very hard to patch and has a tendency to crack more than other finishes