Stucco is known for its beauty and versatility as a surface material. For hundreds of years, stucco has been used in some way, shape, or form in a variety of buildings. For most applications, stucco is a blend of cement, lime, and very fine sand. Other similar blends are sometimes used.
If you are planning on installing new stucco, or if you want to do some upgrades on a stucco exterior, then you have to choose not only the right type of stucco but also the right type of stucco tape. Not all tapes will give you good results on Stucco.
But before we can delve into the specific types of tape you can use for the best results on stucco, it is important that you learn about the various types of stucco available. The simple reason for this is because different types of stucco may require different types of tape, and you can’t rely on a one-size-fits-all tape if you want to get the best result.
Types of Stucco
Stucco claddings are available in many varieties, but they can be split into three main categories – one-coat stucco, three-coat stucco, and exterior insulating and finish systems. All of these are durable and offer incredible protection. However, each requires a different installation process, with different uses of stucco tapes. Here is a brief overview of each of them:
One-Coat Stucco
As the name suggests, these stucco systems feature just a single base coat that is about a half an inch thick. It also comes with a thin finishing coat. Due to this double design, they are sometimes referred to as “two-coat” systems. The base coat usually contains a mixture of fibres, cement, and proprietary additives. Installing this stucco system requires less time and labour compared to others like the three-coat stucco system.
Three-Coat Stucco System
Again, as the name suggests, this stucco system features a total of three coats – a scratch coat, a base coat, and the finishing coat. The thickness of a typical three-coat stucco system is anywhere between 7/8 inches to 1 inch. Of all the stucco systems, the three-coat stucco cladding is known to be the most demanding when it comes to time and labour during the installation process.
Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems
Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems – EIFS, is not a cement-based stucco. It is lighter and more flexible than other stucco systems. It is normally referred to as a synthetic covering simply based on the concept it uses. (based on the materials it is made from?)
Just like its cement-based counterparts, it features up to three layers, with the first layer being the insulation board that is normally glued or simply attached mechanically to the wall. A base coat forms the second layer while the third layer comprises the finishing which may sometimes have colour added. This stucco system has thicknesses of up to four inches. As such, they are known to have more energy-saving properties than traditional or conventional stucco systems.
Best Performing Tapes for Stucco Finishes
Now that you have a basic understanding of the most common types of stucco systems, it will now be easy to learn about some of the best performing tapes for stucco finishes. Below is a brief look at some of the tapes you can trust if you want to end up with the best stucco finishes:
5310 MPI Matco Heavy Duty Stucco Tapes
Here is a tape that you can comfortably trust for your heavy-duty stucco applications. The 5310 MPI Matco Heavy Duty Stucco Tape is a strong and versatile tape whose adhesive has been specifically designed to offer the best bonding results on touch surfaces such as stucco, brick, aggregate and other tough textured surfaces. The tape comes with UV stabilizers which allow for clean removal in outdoor climates. They come with a bright orange backing that has excellent tensile strength, yet is soft enough to be easily torn off by hand.
6217 MPI Matco Stucco Tape
The 6217 MPI Matco Stucco Tape is for you if you are looking for a tape with an aggressive adhesive bond that will adhere perfectly well to nearly all surfaces, while also allowing for a clean removal once the job is done. It features UV stabilizers that allow for the clean removal in outdoor climates, which makes it one of the best solutions for masking door and window frames. With a bright red backing, you can trust its high tensile strength not to fail upon application, even though it is soft enough to be easily torn off using bare hands.
25LXUB-0004 MPI Matco Surface Protection Tape
The 25LXUB-0004 MPI Matco Surface Protection Tape is another tape that you can comfortably rely on if you are after some excellent stucco finishes. The tape features a medium tack protective film that you can cleanly remove from any surface after application. It comes with a translucent blue back that has been UV stabilized for protection against the sun.
Since it is translucent, it will not block sunlight from entering the building. If you are looking for the ideal tape for maximum stucco systems to protect windows, garage doors, and entrance doors among others, then the 25LXUB-0004 MPI Matco Surface Protection Tape is one of the best solutions you can have. It is also worth noting that installation is easy with just stucco spatter and a few simple stucco installation tools.
207 MPI Matco Masking Tape
For most people, black masking tape is not the right solution for a variety of stucco applications. However, the 207 MPI Matco Masking Tape is the exception. It is low tack masking tape that has been designed for clean removal from even the most delicate surfaces. It features a bright green backing which is also UV stabilized to allow for easy removal from all types of surfaces. When being used on delicate surfaces, it is recommended that it be used as the base layer.
