The use of an exterior stucco system has many advantages over other exterior claddings. It is popular for many reasons, some of which are the durability, insulation, fire resistance and the versatility of the designs. The popularity of stucco has produced a competitive market, especially in the residential sector. Decades ago, stucco homes were usually constructed in high end neighborhoods. Today, production builders love the classy look of stucco homes and they desire it in many of their developments. The look of stucco brings good returns and sells homes.
To be fair, there are some things to consider when using stucco. These include: the cost for quality lath and plaster materials, the cost of skilled contractors and the consequences both of those disadvantages bring. With cheap labor comes increased risks of concealed damage that may occur if “all of the pieces” are not constructed as a unit. (When I say “pieces,” I mean the entire wall assembly.)