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
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
Hey Kirk, never mind about the wanna be Mensa dumb asses.
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
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
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!
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
I don't think you have any experience doing the expansion joint sorry men
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…
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
Thanks Kirk. You the man.
Evening Chris, thank you
Cheers,
Kirk and Jason giordano’s rendering videos
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.
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
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.
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
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'.
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
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.
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
Quick question…are you sealing the staple holes through the paper? Or are you concerned with that?
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
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
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
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
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!
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
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)
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
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?
how did you plumb with a level?
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
Good information. Good video. Thank you.