Please Ask Us About CI

In January, Walls & Ceilings held the Webinar “Continuous Insulation: Plaster & The Energy Code.” During the Q&A following the presentation, many questions were asked.

In January,

Walls & Ceilingsheld the Webinar “Continuous Insulation: Plaster & The Energy Code.” During the Q&A following the presentation, many questions were asked.

With all the talk about continuous insulation, many designers desire cement stucco and wonder if stucco and CI are viable, has it been done, what are good practices, etc. This blog is designed to provide the answers to your questions. Here’s one to start us off:

Question # 1: Has cement stucco ever been done over rigid foam, I have always been told it is not a good idea?

Cement plaster (stucco) has been applied over rigid foam for many years, mostly in limited use areas, and yes it can be problematic for cracking. Generally, placing a hard, thin brittle shell over a softer substrate is not a good idea. However, the plaster industry never had polymer-enriched cements and the fiberglass mesh before recently. This lamina (mesh and skim coat) provides a strong, flexible and vapor-permeable layer that can almost guarantee no cracks. Even without the lamina, following some good practices can greatly minimize cracking. We (the WWCCA) have projects with cement stucco over rigid foam performing well. The plaster industry does have caveats and recommendations gained from our experiences.

Mark Fowler joined Walls & Ceilings as editorial director in 2006. Fowler grew up in the construction business and has held a number of positions in different companies and associations. He spent 11 years with the Northwest Wall and Ceiling Bureau before moving to his position with Soltner Group Architects in Seattle. Fowler is currently the executive director of the Stucco Manufacturers Association. He can be reached at Mark@markfowler.org.