Technical

Below are specimens of acrylic finishes which are in most common use today. Acrylic finishes are a blend of 100% acrylic co-polymers, an aggregate either composed of marble or quartz, liquid pigments and other proprietary ingredients. This “high performing” finish was originally designed to go over Exterior Insulation Finish Systems known as EIFS. EIFS are designed to be very flexible and crack resistant. Therefore, the finish must have the same characteristics as the rest of the assembly. While acrylic finishes won’t stop Portland cement plaster from cracking, they have a higher crack resistant quality than cement-based finishes. Acrylic finishes have other qualities that make them a more popular alternative to cementbased stucco finishes: namely color. The finish uses very stable…

Below are specimens of plaster textures which are in most common use today. The term “plaster” is used generally to describe material prepared with either Portland cement or gypsum. The term “stucco” used herein describes a factory-prepared, integrally colored finish which over the years has come to be used to describe all colored Portland cement finishes. Each of the pictures shown below depicts a one-square-foot panel. Plaster prepared in a plastic state may create a great variety of design configurations or texture patterns. Note: weather will affect color and/or texture. Plaster is the most commonly used exterior cladding the Southwest. Since it lasts the life of the building, redecoration is necessary only when a change in color and/or texture is…

Click here for a list of contractors currently registered in the SMA’s Silica Compliance Program OSHA will begin enforcement of the new respirable silica exposure standard on September 23, 2017. The construction industry will be a focus for the OSHA inspectors. OSHA fines can start at $12,000 and escalate quickly. Employers found to be willfully negligent could be turned over to the District Attorney’s office for prosecution. The Stucco Manufacturers Association (SMA) has put a program together to help plastering contractors comply with the new standard. This SMA Silica Compliance Program will evolve with time, but has the minimums that a contractor will need to be in compliance. The SMA believes joining the SMA Silica Compliance Program is the most cost effective…

White stains on cement-based stucco/plaster walls is a common occurrence.  These white stains are called efflorescence.  This article will discuss what efflorescence is, what causes efflorescence, and some possible methods to reduce its appearance. 1. What is efflorescence? In the plastering industry, the word “efflorescence” refers to the crystalline deposit, usually white, that may develop on the surface of portland cement plaster walls. Efflorescence is the end result of water dissolving the salts that are naturally present within cement-based products. This salt solution migrates to the finished surface and a salt deposit remains after the water evaporates. Efflorescence often occurs during periods of wet, cold weather and can occur on the surface of any cement-based product such as masonry, concrete,…