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You are here: Home / Videos / Control or expansion joints for stucco walls, lathing quick tips

Control or expansion joints for stucco walls, lathing quick tips

August 14, 2013 By Stucco Plastering 32 Comments

How to attach control or expansion joints for stucco walls

Hi folks, in this video I explain what I picked up in the years in my trade about how to attach control or expansion joints for stucco walls.
Usual for residential homes they are not necessary or specced out unless it’s a custom built homes.
I have found that it is better than not to use them these days as the wood is no longer true 2X4’s it’s 3 1/2 X 1 1/2 and many sheer-wall sheathing are still green, thus when these woods dry out they shrink and cause a bit more hairline cracking, again they will expand and shrink along with the rest of the house, I feel today its best to have a few installed.
The rule when we did commercial work was to install them every 10 feet when possible.
I rarely use them on concrete or cider block unless it’s again specced out as concrete unlike wood framing does not expands and shrink enough to make a big difference.

Please also see our web site at http://www.StuccoPlastering.com
Kirk Giordano Plastering Inc.
Thanks for watching and have a great day!
Kirk & Jason Giordano’s DIY plastering network
expert plastering advice, plastering guru instructions

How to attach control or expansion joints for stucco walls

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Filed Under: Videos Tagged With: control joints, Home repairs, installing control joints, kirk the stucco guy, lathing expert advice, rendering plaster tutorials, stucco control joints

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Comments

  1. Kirk Giordano plastering Inc. says

    August 15, 2013 at 11:22 pm

    Lallenh, just when I was starting to like you, until you called me a dumb ass.
    There are many ways to attach them, next week I am installing them first 7/8 on the paper lath then attaching 3.4 self-furred mesh wire to tie in. after city inspection we are then going to apply 3 coats of stucco. We’re matching the previous work from a union shop that was done on a 6 story 20 million dollar condo. I’ll video it just for you.
    Best wishes and have a groovy day!
    Kirk Giordano Plastering

    Reply
  2. mb_BeachBum says

    August 16, 2013 at 11:58 pm

    Hey Kirk, never mind about the wanna be Mensa dumb asses.

    Reply
  3. Kirk Giordano plastering Inc. says

    August 17, 2013 at 3:30 am

    Good evening Beach bum, my Mensa comments on many of my videos, always a type of criticism but certainly entertaining for me.
    I'm not sure how I've been able to plaster for so long without his help.
    Imagine being a driver and this fella in the back seat.
    Thanks for watching and have a good evening,
    Kirk Giordano Plastering

    Reply
  4. Kirk Giordano plastering Inc. says

    August 18, 2013 at 8:46 pm

    Hi digitalskyband, you’re welcome.
    That kinda talk makes it all the extra effort worth doing.
    Jason and I thank you.
    Have a great weekend!
    Kirk Giordano Plastering

    Reply
  5. Spencer Kelly says

    August 22, 2013 at 4:12 am

    It depends on the preference of the plasterer. Some guys hate the expansion on top of the lath because it makes an edge and it can be annoying. Other guys could care less, they just want the lath up so they can start scratching. It also depends on building codes, I know where I work, some city inspectors want it done a specific way. There are many ways to apply expansion with lath.

    I got your back Kirk 🙂 Keep it up with the videos, they are great!

    Reply
  6. Kirk Giordano plastering Inc. says

    August 23, 2013 at 2:00 am

    Spencer Kelly, thank you brother, you are right there are many ways, I usually install them anyway an architect or engineer specifies in the building plans.
    If no prints I ask how they wish them installed.
    The way I we installed them over the lath is the way I prefer.
    Thanks and have a great day.
    Kirk Giordano plastering

    Reply
    • Luis salazar says

      December 29, 2018 at 4:37 am

      I don't think you have any experience doing the expansion joint sorry men

      Reply
  7. koolairbrush10 says

    June 26, 2014 at 9:11 pm

    Hello Mr.Giordano  I'm installing a 100' double sided privacy fence should I install expansion joint's?if so, how many sq. feet apart.any input is greatly appreciated.greetings from Louisiana… 

    Reply
  8. Kirk Giordano plastering Inc. says

    June 26, 2014 at 11:33 pm

    Hi koolairbrush10, On wood fence every 10 feet. If it's a Cinder block fence, they are not necessary, at least this is my opinion, Please refer to my written description on this video.
     Best wishes, 
     kirk and family

    Reply
  9. Chris Quoyeser says

    November 1, 2016 at 5:47 pm

    Thanks Kirk. You the man.

    Reply
    • Kirk Giordano plastering Inc. says

      November 2, 2016 at 3:47 am

      Evening Chris, thank you
      Cheers,
      Kirk and Jason giordano’s rendering videos

      Reply
  10. Brian Holland says

    March 28, 2017 at 8:44 pm

    Greetings Kirk, I was wondering where to go to take test to obtain license for plastering. I live in Ohio ,and not sure if it is required, but, I think it would be a good idea nonetheless. I am guessing it is a building dept. matter but not sure. Thanks for your time and great videos.

    Reply
    • Kirk Giordano plastering Inc. says

      March 29, 2017 at 7:40 pm

      Howdy Brian, Licenses are required everywhere, Jason and I went to the contractor state license board in sacramento but these days you can pull up online schools near you.
      Cheers, live long and plaster
      Giordano’s images and teaching video’s

      Reply
    • Brian Holland says

      March 29, 2017 at 11:32 pm

      Yah West Coast rocks a lot of Stucco so I am going to take the Ca.lathing and plastering syllabus along with as much O.T.J.E. as I can handle . I have over 12k hrs on the wall right now with only 25% of that in sand and cement so still have a ways to go….thanks Capt.Kirk . Hey by the way have you heard of the new stucco system called G.R.E.I.F.S. haha .just came up with that one hope it makes you laugh.

      Reply
    • Kirk Giordano plastering Inc. says

      March 30, 2017 at 1:22 am

      Howdy Brian, not only have I heard of it I lived it once apon a time.
      Cheers, live long and plaster
      Giordano’s plastering tips

      Reply
  11. Melvin Druen says

    July 7, 2017 at 12:28 am

    Kirk love your films… My question is, would it be feasible to use a concrete expansion joint trowel on a exterior concrete wall after applying one coat of stucco 1/2" thick. I can't find expansion joints in ky. and when ordering I have to buy 250" when I only need 20'.

    Reply
    • Kirk Giordano plastering Inc. says

      July 7, 2017 at 1:04 am

      Howdy Melvin, expansion joints on concrete walls are not necessary, the average thickness is almost a foot as is, when the retaining wall lifts and settles due to months of rain the expansion joint won't help one bit.
      If you really want to add them with a n expansion trowel it's your wall therefor your rules, my personal knowledge knows it will be futile, but if it's looks you're after that could be cool.
      Live long and plaster
      stucco images and teaching videos

      Reply
  12. LSZ1318 says

    August 8, 2017 at 3:02 pm

    Bravo for lining that expansion joint with the edge of the window casement. So many people would just get that wrong and place them offset by inches for even feet, lol. Nice.

    Reply
    • Kirk Giordano plastering Inc. says

      August 9, 2017 at 2:58 am

      Good evening LSZ dude, happy you agree as to cosmetic placement for the expansion joints.
      Coincidentally we did a large gable wall that was at least 60 feet with no window or door opening, thus required an expansion joint, my son Jason and I took a few minutes to go over where to place the expansion joint, there was no place to attach one or two vertically that would look cosmetically well thought out, so instead we applied it at the ten foot level horizontally separating the gable from the lower portion of the wall, when we upload this wall as I planned on explaining a few trowels and their uses I will do a shout out to you asking your opinion of our placement of the expansion joint.
      Thanks for the observant comment as most folks don't catch this sort of decision making.
      Live long and plaster
      teaching repairing your number 1 investment your home

      Reply
  13. Burke Bair says

    October 11, 2017 at 5:18 pm

    Quick question…are you sealing the staple holes through the paper? Or are you concerned with that?

    Reply
    • Kirk Giordano plastering Inc. says

      October 12, 2017 at 2:06 am

      Good Evening Bair Dude, no need to seal the staples with caulking with proper paper over the plywood.
      Live long and plaster
      Kirk and Jason Giordano

      Reply
  14. Juan Pirir says

    July 23, 2018 at 4:58 am

    Hello Kirk my name is John you the man for the stucco so i have cuestión for you i going to do Sam work soon about stucco near by San Francisco c.a is any chance to call you and ask Sam cuestións i appreciate if we talk for 5 minutes any special time so i can call you on you time off afternoon i like you videos

    Reply
  15. Matiu Vea says

    November 20, 2018 at 8:14 pm

    Hey Master Stucco! Big fan love your work keep it coming! Question: If u were to cut an expansion join in after it's already been rendered, how deep do u need 2 cut into the wall with a grinder?? Also what would u use 2 fill the joint in would u put a bead or caulk it?? Thanks much appreciated

    Reply
    • Kirk Giordano plastering Inc. says

      November 20, 2018 at 11:06 pm

      Evening Matiu, if you wanted to add a control joint after the fact, I'd recommend breaking out with a bulldog genty and adding a 1/2 inch control joint directly on top of the wire, as the wire add 1/4 inch.
      Fyi, if you use a grinder, the straight cuts won't have any bite, and you will do more damage than good.
      If you were installing control joints prior to the wire naturally you would use 7/8.
      The last thing is a good idea to place these joints are above sliding glass or big solid front doors or between a home that connects to a garage.
      Any place that you realize will get vibrations is a great starting point.
       Cheers, peace & harmony
      Sound Plastering tips from your favorite stucco geeks

      Reply
  16. Diatonic Fusion Label says

    December 25, 2018 at 2:50 pm

    Kirk You are a prodesional indeed but sometimes you just mention "stuff" "expansion joint they control the movement of the house" is very plastic phrase or formulation .For starters please mention that they control the ventualy cracks or prevent them cause by eventually move of the house !Anyhow they prevent for cracking stucco or plaster etc to protect yours opera.I KNOW VERY WELL YOU KNOW VERY WELL!Cheers!

    Reply
    • Kirk Giordano plastering Inc. says

      December 26, 2018 at 6:09 am

      Evening Gabriel, indeed I do, but you explain it better.
        May you all have a Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year.
      Sound Plastering tips from your favorite stucco geeks

      Reply
  17. Nathan Bloomfield says

    December 31, 2018 at 12:11 am

    do you ever plaster over hebel panel or other aac panel? here in nz vast majority of new builds are hebel or rockcote aac panel and the locations for expansion joints in these substrates are laid out by the manufacturer(usually under & above some windows and external corners)

    Reply
    • Kirk Giordano plastering Inc. says

      December 31, 2018 at 10:45 pm

      Howdy Nathan dude, no so far, I take on jobs that folks call me to do, Jason is sometimes there to help and video. Wishing you and yours a happy and prosperous New Year. Sound Plastering tips from your favorite stucco nurds

      Reply
  18. Chris K Little says

    August 17, 2019 at 1:41 pm

    Doesn't the Codes (ASTM) recognize Control Joints as 1-piece for shrinkage/thermal movement, and Expansion Joints as 2-piece, used when there is a break in the structure/substrate below?

    Reply
  19. howdy says

    February 15, 2020 at 12:31 am

    how did you plumb with a level?

    Reply
  20. Manuel Zepeda says

    June 27, 2020 at 2:56 am

    That doesn't make the wall straight since u since u didn't use a string to make wall. It makes level one way but not up and down we use string from screed to window

    Reply
  21. jfarinacci0329 says

    October 6, 2020 at 2:47 am

    Good information. Good video. Thank you.

    Reply

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