Why We Decided To Make Two Of Our Stucco Install Options… MANDATORY
We Use A Fiberglass Mesh That Increases Costs,
But Delivers Benefits That Are Too Important
For years, stucco has had a bad rep. Cracking. Staining. Moisture. Mold. The list goes on.
Do you want to know WHY stucco has maintained this reputation? Because many exterior remodeling companies in Colorado Springsand elsewhere use traditional stucco (sand, cement, water) and cheap stucco mesh…if they use it at all.
These two materials are bad news in the world of stucco.
Our two non-negotiables with residential stucco installation are:
- Superior acrylic stucco
- Fiberglass stucco mesh
We use better, upgraded materials like acrylic stucco… ONLY.
Anything less, to us, wouldn’t align with our military-grade professionalism.
You just can’t beat the value. For homes in the Colorado Front Range, our stucco is a premium, lasting option. It’s tough and beautiful.
- Fire and water resistant
- Incredibly durable
- Creates a seamless look
- Can last a century
- Great color retention
- Low maintenance
Here are before-and-after images from one of our customers to give you a visual. As you can see, stucco siding has a timeless style.
For a time, we offered homeowners the option to exclude fiberglass crack-isolation mesh from their installation to help reduce costs. However, after a few customers chose to opt out and later experienced excessive hairline cracking—issues not covered under warranty since they were considered purely cosmetic—we decided to make fiberglass mesh a standard requirement for every stucco project. This ensures a stronger, longer-lasting, and more durable finish for all our customers.
What Is This Stucco Mesh You Speak Of?
Mesh is actually a common construction material used in a variety of interior and exterior home improvement projects. Various kinds are used for stucco: fiberglass, metal, and wire.
The strong fiberglass mesh we use adds a ton of value:
- It helps prevent cracking!
- Strengthens bonds between coats
- Gives your exterior better hail resistance
- Helps protect more vulnerable areas
- Enhances drainage
When our hail season comes, your stucco can better absorb impacts, distributing the force more evenly. Furthermore, over time, it dramatically improves wall integrity, boosting weather-tightness and longevity. And, ultimately it prevents premature damage to your siding.
When combined with the benefits of acrylic stucco, you just can’t get better value. It’s superior to traditional stucco in our neck of the woods.
Why Do You Only Install Acrylic Stucco?
Traditional stucco goes back thousands of years. It’s as “old school” as you can get with siding. Made of cement, lime, sand, and water, it’s a natural, rigid material with versatile, rough/smooth finishes.
Acrylic, or synthetic stucco, on the other hand, is less rigid. These systems include foam insulation, the first coat, the fiberglass mesh, and the top coat of acrylic stucco. The colors are brighter than cement mixtures can offer, and acrylic systems have superior waterproofing.
The biggest differentiator is the fungicides and additives added to the acrylic stucco mixtures. Wave goodbye to mold, mildew, and moisture-related issues that can become problematic with traditional water-based stucco (it activates the cement and lime for hardening).
These come pre-mixed and have perfect color, viscosity, and uniformity.
We don’t have to keep adding water to the mixture during application.
Bottom Line: Two Non-Negotiables That Add Value
Would a traditional stucco system without mesh be lighter on your pocketbook? Yes, especially when we’re talking about a larger surface area. However, in the Colorado Springs area, this spells trouble. Your stucco won’t look as good or last as long and will require more maintenance and upkeep throughout its lifetime.
And keep in mind, we’re the award-winning company people call in our area for stucco siding repairs! We deal with older stucco systems that are cracked and chipped, and showing wear and tear ALL THE TIME.
We’re built like a family, for Colorado Springs families.
For us, superior value and longevity are core commitments.
Our customers deserve it!
If you want to ensure your stucco siding meets your needs and you’d like to learn more about how we do things, contact Peakview Windows today. We’re happy to answer all your questions and schedule a free estimate (and inspection).