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      About Our Cement Board Stucco

      Cement Board Stucco Finish in Lake Zurich, IL for a Clean, Durable Exterior

      In Lake Zurich, IL, we install cement board with a stucco finish on homes, additions, and garages. A cement board stucco finish gives you the look of stucco on a thinner, lighter wall system. It works well on bump-outs, chimney chases, foundation walls, and soffits.

      We start with a free visit and a written scope, and we build from late spring to early fall. As your local stucco contractor, one crew handles the boards, the seams, and the finish coat.

      What we do

      How Is a Cement Board Stucco Finish Installed in Lake Zurich?

      We install a cement board stucco finish in Lake Zurich in seven steps:

      1. Check the framing and sheathing for damage.
      2. Wrap the wall with a weather barrier and flashing.
      3. Fasten cement board panels with set joint gaps.
      4. Tape every seam with alkali-resistant mesh.
      5. Trowel on a base coat with mesh fully embedded.
      6. Apply the finish coat in your chosen texture.
      7. Seal joints at windows and keep the weep screed open.
      TRADITIONAL STUCCO WALL

      CEMENT BOARD INSTALLATION LAKE ZURICH

      synthetic stucco installation

      STUCCO FINISH COAT LAKE ZURICH

      How We Build Your Cement Board Stucco Finish in Lake Zurich

      01
      Preparing a wall for cement board stucco

      Prep the Wall and Weather Barrier

      We check framing and sheathing for rot or soft spots and fix them first. Then we wrap the wall with a weather barrier and flash windows and doors. This layer keeps stray water away from the wood.

      02
      Installing cement board panels

      Install the Cement Board

      We fasten cement board panels on a set pattern, with gaps at the joints. Control joints go where the wall needs room to move. A straight, solid board layout keeps seams from showing later.

      03
      Mesh and base coat over cement board

      Mesh and Base Coat

      Every seam gets alkali-resistant mesh tape. Then we trowel a base coat over the whole wall and press a full layer of mesh into it. This step stops board seams from cracking through the finish.

      04
      Finished cement board stucco finish

      Finish Coat and Details

      We apply the finish coat in the texture and color you pick, from smooth to sand finish. We seal around windows, doors, and trim, and keep the weep screed open. Then we walk the wall with you.

      Our Stucco Projects – Before And After

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      When a Cement Board Stucco Finish Is the Right Fit

      Cement board stucco finish Lake Zurich wall

      Homeowners in Lake Zurich often ask us for a cement board stucco finish in these spots:

      • Additions and bump-outs that need to match existing stucco
      • Chimney chases and garage walls
      • Exposed foundation walls above grade
      • Soffits and porch ceilings

      It is also a good choice when full three-coat stucco would be too heavy or too thick for the wall. For new walls on a whole house, we compare it with our stucco installation options.

      THE REASONS WHY WE ARE THE BEST AMONG OTHER STUCCO COMPANIES LAKE ZURICH

      Years Of Experience

      Illinois Stucco has built and repaired stucco walls in Lake Zurich and nearby towns since 2002. We have seen how local walls move through the seasons and where seams fail.

      One Crew, Start to Finish

      We install the boards, tape the seams, and apply the finish ourselves. No hand-off between trades means fewer gaps and cleaner seams on your wall.

      Seams Built to Stay Hidden

      Full mesh in the base coat and planned control joints keep board seams from cracking through your cement board stucco finish.

      Clean Job Sites

      We cover plants, windows, and walkways before we start. Each day ends with a tidy site, and you get a clear schedule and a final walk-through with our crew.

      Cement Board Stucco vs. Traditional Three-Coat Stucco and EIFS

      stucco application

      Traditional three-coat stucco goes over metal lath and builds up to about 7/8 inch thick. It is very strong, but heavy and slow, since each coat needs time to cure. A cement board stucco finish is thinner and faster to build.

      EIFS uses foam board under the finish and adds insulation. Cement board does not burn and does not dent like foam. On lakefront homes near Paulus Park, that harder surface stands up well to wind and blown debris.

      We help you pick the system that fits your Lake Zurich home. See our EIFS installation page if insulation is your main goal.

      CEMENT BOARD STUCCO FINISH LAKE ZURICH GALLERY

      CHECK OUR STUCCO COMPANY LAKE ZURICH PROJECTS

      Framing, Flashing, and Layout Come First

      Most cement board problems start behind the board. In Lake Zurich, freeze-thaw cycles find any gap in flashing or any loose panel. We fix soft framing, flash every opening, and lay out boards so joints land on studs. Then the cement board stucco finish goes onto a wall that stays flat and dry.

      Checking Seams, Joints, and Drainage After the Finish

      Before we leave, we check every seam line in raking light for hairline cracks or ridges. We confirm control joints are open and sealant is tight at the windows of your Lake Zurich home. We also clear the weep screed at the base, so water can drain out.

      Keeping Your Cement Board Stucco Strong Through Lake Zurich Winters

      Northern Illinois winters bring many freeze-thaw cycles. Keep gutters clean and snow off the base of the walls. Check sealant at windows each spring and repaint the finish when it starts to fade. Homes in Hawthorn Woods and Long Grove face the same weather, and our crack repair team can seal small cracks early.

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      Most Frequently Asked Questions About Cement Board Stucco Finish in Lake Zurich

      1. What is a cement board stucco finish?

      A cement board stucco finish is a stucco texture applied over cement board panels instead of metal lath. Mesh and a base coat cover the boards, and a finish coat gives the stucco look.

      2. Is cement board stucco as durable as traditional stucco?

      Yes, when the boards, mesh, and joints are installed right, it holds up well. It is thinner than three-coat stucco, so seams and joints need careful work.

      3. Will the cement board seams show through the stucco?

      Not when every seam gets mesh tape and the base coat has a full layer of mesh. Planned control joints let the wall move without cracking at the seams.

      4. Where is cement board stucco used on a house?

      It is used on additions, bump-outs, chimney chases, garages, foundation walls, and soffits. It also works for small areas that need to match existing stucco.

      5. Can a cement board stucco finish match my existing stucco?

      Yes, we match the texture and color of your current stucco. We make a small sample first so you can compare it on the wall.

      6. How long does a cement board stucco finish take to install?

      Most small and medium areas take several days to a week. The base coat and finish coat each need dry weather and time to cure.

      7. Can you install cement board stucco in winter in Lake Zurich?

      We schedule this work from late spring to early fall in Lake Zurich. The base and finish coats need temperatures inside the product range to cure well.

      8. Do you need a weather barrier behind cement board?

      Yes, a weather barrier and flashing go behind every cement board stucco finish we build. They keep any water that gets past the finish away from the framing.

      9. Can cement board stucco be painted?

      Yes, the finish can be painted with a breathable masonry paint. Many owners choose a colored finish coat first and paint years later.

      10. Is cement board stucco the same as EIFS?

      No, EIFS uses foam board, while cement board stucco uses cement panels. Cement board is harder and does not burn, while EIFS adds insulation.

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