• Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Kirk Giordano Plastering

Stucco Plastering

  • Home
  • About Me
  • Videos
  • Textures Finish Colors
  • Tools of the Trade
  • Art of Stucco
    • Stucco Siding
    • Stucco Homes
    • New Homes Stucco
    • Second Story Stucco Addition
    • Stucco stairs, porches, & rails
    • Styrofoam Shapes, plaster repairs, cracks
  • Contact Me
You are here: Home / Videos / Should you gap plywood sheathing if installing stucco/cement plaster

Should you gap plywood sheathing if installing stucco/cement plaster

January 4, 2016 By Stucco Plastering 35 Comments

Should you gap plywood sheathing if installing stucco or cement plaster, Expansions and sheer wall spacing.

For many of you folks who feel, wow, stucco is not all that great as it’s prone to cracking. The cement plaster s of new, say the last 200 years have different amounts of lime in them, when the romans built statues, coliseums, as well as the people who built the pyramids and magnificent and great castles around the world thousands of years prior, lime was used exclusively, these structure still stand the test of time today. Lime plastering was used and as such this lime took quite awhile to set or dry, days, weeks and even months, however the structures that were built with lime plaster absorbs water and or moister then allow this moisture harmlessly and naturally leach out thus no molding and the lime allows flexibility, the facts that is did require days and sometime weeks or even months for these lime creations to dry was the downfall around 81825 by a fella in of course England, who found a superior product called Portland cement plaster. Lime was put on the back burner as the new Portland cement plasters had incredible strength and set quickly today, thus welcome to the fast modern world where everything must be completed quickly. the fact lime structure were able to absorb water and flex , thus stopping the effect or greatly diminishing the effects of parging or cracking, became yesterday’s old newspapers. Say for example with some projects I have shown in older videos, the cement walls have cracked as time created movement, water then got into these cracks, this water sometimes froze, which then expanded, which in turns pops pieces of cement off, it better know as parging. We will be doing a video soon where I am using a BMI reinforced cement plaster with much lime already in these bags, thus normal vibrations won’t affect the home with hairline cracking as much anyway. It’s a boring topic, but one I feel compelled to finally explain, all coming up in a video where this Portland based cement product has a lot of lime added for specific reasoning.

For more quality products that I have been using, showing and recommending in our videos they have stood the test of time say for more than 20 years,(most of them anyway) the magazine below caters to these products, plus they have a really cool cover page at least for the January 2016 addition.
Don’t guess with your biggest investment purchace products that last longer than old kirk
.http://www.wconline.com/articles/89945-times-with-kirk-giordano-plastering
Kirk Giordano Plastering Inc.
http://www.StuccoPlastering.com
stucco nerd, plaster geek, need a life stucco dude
Should you gap plywood sheathing if installing stucco/cement plaster
Thanks for watching and have great day!
Teaching the world how to plaster one video at a time.

Should you gap plywood sheathing if installing stucco/cement plaster

  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr

Related

Filed Under: Videos Tagged With: Plastering, Stucco, stucco dude, stucco man

Pages

  • About Kirk Giordano Plastering
  • Contact Me
  • Home
  • New Homes Stucco
  • Second Story Stucco Addition
  • Stucco Homes
  • Stucco Siding
  • Stucco stairs, porches, & rails
  • Styrofoam Shapes, plaster repairs, cracks
  • Textures Finish Colors
  • Textures Finish Colors
  • Tools of the Trade

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. mytwocents says

    January 4, 2016 at 10:48 pm

    Resistant and proof are two diff. things.

    Reply
    • Kirk Giordano plastering Inc. says

      January 5, 2016 at 7:58 am

      hello mytwocents brother, exzachary, beats my two cents,
      Cheers!
      Kirk giordano Plastering

      Reply
  2. Llyr Jones says

    January 4, 2016 at 11:10 pm

    Kirk, as a resident in the UK, why do you build timber houses? We have timber frame over here; but more often than not, they're outer skinned in block. Timber moves, shrinks, cotracts, expands ten fold compared to stucco / cement; just wondering why you're so insistant on building timber houses?

    Reply
    • A R Diaz says

      January 5, 2016 at 5:15 am

      +Llyr Jones a short answer San Andreas Fault, somewhat of a cultural thing, and wood being an abundant resource over here.

      While timber won't last as long as brick / concrete based homes in perfect conditions, California is absolutely not a place with perfect conditions for it, especially in southern California where he is based at. Brick and mortar built homes are much more susceptible to breaking down / crumbling near Fault lines where as wooden homes are much more flexible. Probably also a culture thing, we're still a pretty young nation in comparison to nations in europe, most of our homes have no history or ancestors that have passed em down to us. Another big factor would be that timber in general is a resource we have in abundance, I remember reading about wood being a very scarce resource in europe way back then to the point where most homes / buildings were built with brick and mortar foundation / walls as a default and only reserving timber for roofs. Something about rapid deforestation to build boats, was a while ago I read this. In fact wood was one of the first major resources to be exported back to Europe to build masts for boats, pretty great subject if you ever feel the need to read up on it.

      Reply
    • Kirk Giordano plastering Inc. says

      January 5, 2016 at 7:46 am

      Hi Llyr Jones in the UK, old kirk's just an applicator of stucco.
      I don't build them, heck I'd be o.k. living in a van as long as it was tall enough where I don't have to bend down to much. 
      A mans got to make a living, I happen to like applying stucco on anything except a van, too much movement.
      Cheers my brother.
      Kirk giordano

      Reply
    • Llyr Jones says

      January 5, 2016 at 9:10 pm

      +A R Diaz thanks A R for the informative answer. I wondered about it being in abundance over there. I've only been to Davenport, Florida, and they were brick I'm sure. I guess it varies from county to county with regards to materials, movement, climates and so forth!

      Reply
    • Llyr Jones says

      January 5, 2016 at 9:12 pm

      +Kirk & Jason Giordanos DIY plastering and stucco tips Haha, and what a fine job you do too mate. I watch your videos regardless to it being of any relevance or use to me, I can tell you're a pro at what you do, and are passionate at what you do – that's always good to see! I can't bare being in the company of tradesmen who groan and moan about their jobs, it's tiring! These videos are always a nice refreshing change of scene! Regards from Wales, Llyr.

      Reply
    • Kirk Giordano plastering Inc. says

      January 6, 2016 at 3:06 am

      Hello Jones, thank you, 
      drink a pint for me while in Wales, me wife has grown up near this area,
       Best wishes,
       kirk giordano Plastering

      Reply
  3. Wayne Frazier says

    January 5, 2016 at 2:09 am

    I used densglass on my last stucco job. My only concern was the shifting of the 2by6 studs underneath. Anyway thx for vid, i always enjoy!

    Reply
    • Kirk Giordano plastering Inc. says

      January 5, 2016 at 7:51 am

      Hi Wayne Frazier dude, man, you went the extra mile.
      There is too much fear in hairlineing of stucco homes, me wife from England happens to love a home with cracks, moss and varied colors, she says it gives them charm.
      Of course when we stucco them I don't think this way as a hairline crack and most folks panic which means I may have to explain the effects of natural settling and such.
      Best wishes,
      kirk giordano Plastering

      Reply
  4. le proboscis says

    January 5, 2016 at 2:54 am

    Back on the job already Kirk, No rest for the wicked.
    Happy to watch your vids while I'm sipping a cold Ale on my holidays.
    All the best from NZ

    Reply
    • Kirk Giordano plastering Inc. says

      January 5, 2016 at 7:52 am

      Howdy le proboscis, dude, I like your style,
      Cheers and have a cold one on me,

      Best wishes, 
      Kirk Giordano Plastering

      Reply
  5. MrMac5150 says

    January 5, 2016 at 5:36 am

    What are the rings for.

    Reply
    • Kirk Giordano plastering Inc. says

      January 5, 2016 at 7:55 am

      Howdy MrMac5150, crazy dude,
      The home owner forgot that wires need rings otherwise the lights cant be attached, I happen to carry all kinds of stuff on my truck, just in case.
      Happy Holidays and a groovy new year to you,
      Kirk giordano

      Reply
    • MrMac5150 says

      January 5, 2016 at 6:17 pm

      @Kirk & Jason Giordanos DIY plastering and stucco tips

      I did not hear you state they were for light sockets, I was thinking they were used to help release trapped water behind the stucco.
      Thanks.

      Reply
    • Kirk Giordano plastering Inc. says

      January 6, 2016 at 3:13 am

      No worries mac dude, happy new year.
       Kirk giordano

      Reply
    • MrMac5150 says

      January 6, 2016 at 3:20 am

      @Kirk & Jason Giordanos DIY plastering and stucco tips
      Thanks for the video.

      Reply
  6. BeeFriendlyApiary says

    January 7, 2016 at 1:33 am

    Genius…love this guy…very thorough…come to Baltimore Kirk, we have plenty of brick row homes for you to make masterpieces with!!!!

    Reply
    • Kirk Giordano plastering Inc. says

      January 7, 2016 at 3:58 am

      Hello BeeFriendlyApiary type dude, man, I like your style,
      Best wishes, and have a great new year!
      Kirk giordano Plastering

      Reply
  7. OzoneEditions says

    January 7, 2016 at 11:43 am

    Kirk, There are a ton of nails holding that plywood to the studs–looks like better than every 6 inches even in the field. Is that the norm in your area? Thanks for the videos. Much appreciated.

    Reply
    • Kirk Giordano plastering Inc. says

      January 8, 2016 at 5:26 am

      Hi David DriverDude100, there are a lot of nails,
      as a rule I don't really explain much of folks shear wall installations, as I don't install them and don't wish to appear like I'm criticizing, but felt compelled as an evening before someone asks the question.
      Which then forced me to get deeper as a fella commented wow, I'm glad I didn't use stucco on my whole house.
       For many of you folks who feel, wow, stucco is not all that great as it's prone to cracking. The cement plaster s of new, say the last 200 years have different amounts of lime in them, when the romans built statues, coliseums, as well as the people who built the pyramids and magnificent and great castles around the world thousands of years prior, lime was used exclusively, these structure still stand the test of time today. Lime plastering was used and as such this lime took quite awhile to set or dry, days, weeks and even months, however the structures that were built with lime plaster absorbs water and or moister then allow this moisture harmlessly and naturally leach out thus no molding and the lime allows flexibility, the facts that is did require days and sometime weeks or even months for these lime creations to dry was the downfall around 81825 by a fella in of course England, who found a superior product called Portland cement plaster. Lime was put on the back burner as the new Portland cement plasters had incredible strength and set quickly today, thus welcome to the fast modern world where everything must be completed quickly. the fact lime structure were able to absorb water and flex , thus stopping the effect or greatly diminishing the effects of parging or cracking, became yesterday's old newspapers. Say for example with some projects I have shown in older videos, the cement walls have cracked as time created movement, water then got into these cracks, this water sometimes froze, which then expanded, which in turns pops pieces of cement off, it better know as parging. We will be doing a video soon where I am using a BMI reinforced cement plaster with much lime already in these bags, thus normal vibrations won’t affect the home with hairline cracking as much anyway. It's a boring topic, but one I feel compelled to finally explain, all coming up in a video where this Portland based cement product has a lot of lime added for specific reasoning.

      Reply
  8. nate says

    January 11, 2016 at 4:21 am

    Always when plywood sheets ( OSB )are installed, Always, install with gaps (1/8) at all four sides.. Period. Irregardless of what is covering the plywood. Good video. Good advise. Also, Good to see you on here again, have been away for a while. But like you say, we can adapt, nothing wrong with running a saw set to plywood depth down the joint .. ( but that should be done prior to the Plaster Contractor shows up) That gap in the plywood sheathing is a big deal to me, I have saw the problems caused from the sheathing being abutted tight. It is not good practice, and it is sign of poor workmanship on the installer.

    Reply
  9. Greg Garcia says

    January 11, 2016 at 9:10 pm

    Great videos!! Good tip.. It gets kinda warm here in Albuquerque, New Mexico

    Reply
  10. Ron Roberts says

    January 11, 2016 at 10:13 pm

    Another related rule for plywood installation I ask of the generals I work for is to NOT have joints at any of the openings. Plywood over them and cut out for the doors and windows. I believe this is the recommendation of the American Plywood Association as well.

    Reply
    • Kirk Giordano plastering Inc. says

      January 12, 2016 at 9:01 pm

      Hello Ron Roberts, attentions readers when this guy talks, anyone seeking a competent plastering contractor should listen, Ron Roberts is one of the best plasterer's I know and is awesome when it comes to interior finishes and their history and what and how the materials are made.
      To contact this master plasterer call him at his pleasant hill number he is located in california at 925 639-5887.
      He along with Fred Smith, Jerry Poza, Andy Davis are folks who are on my speed dial list for informational reasons.
      Old Kirk knows much but far from all about plastering.
      Best wishes old pal of mine and have a great new year.
      kirk giordano plastering

      Reply
    • Ron Roberts says

      January 13, 2016 at 5:06 am

      Back at ya my friend! I appreciate the compliment and the referral. And coming from makes for an added bonus!

      Reply
    • Kirk Giordano plastering Inc. says

      January 13, 2016 at 5:08 am

      No worries my friend.
      Remember the years working for Danny Smith plastering when we ate 6 sandwiches a day working behind the plaster pump, man, they tried to kill us physically?
       We were so young we thought it was fun.
       Good thing we were good enough to work on  fred's crew.
       kirk giordano plastering

      Reply
  11. BOSS FORD says

    October 21, 2018 at 2:43 am

    Iv watch a few of your video.s I'll gotta say you are a plaster .Yes you are rite at least a 8 penny nail gap on gaps were I'm at exp and contraction .I like tar felt paper lathe or chicken wire .

    Reply
    • Kirk Giordano plastering Inc. says

      October 21, 2018 at 3:49 am

      Greetings Boss Ford, thank you, my friend, yes, I've had my share of plastering. Peace, love, happiness staying plastered Mastering Plastering for the beginner’s to the experts

      Reply
    • BOSS FORD says

      October 21, 2018 at 4:00 am

      @Kirk Giordano plastering Inc. I enjoy all your videos and.Fine work you do!! I'd love to work with you ! Im a 3rd gen plaster. At 15 now 47 thanks Kirk Giordano for sharing

      Reply
  12. dougie doobai says

    October 26, 2018 at 10:31 pm

    Hi Kirk and Family,
    hope you are all well,and great vids.
    Can you please tell me if i can clay render onto osb and do i need a primer?
    hope you can help …..

    alll the best Douglas straw studio builder in the algarve portugal.

    Reply
    • pensive69 says

      November 19, 2018 at 4:44 pm

      there are good and bad ways to do this dougie.
      check the article here until Kirk responds;
      greenbuildingadvisor .com/ article/to-install-stucco-right-include-an-air-gap

      Reply
  13. Paul F Jordan says

    December 16, 2018 at 1:03 am

    Hey kirk. Thanks for video. I'm having a house built by lennar. After framing the did not fully plywood all the way around the house. They just attached foam boards straight to studs from exterior. Is this correct or should whole house be ply walled first ??

    Reply
  14. Zaki Baig says

    January 24, 2020 at 3:22 pm

    Hi Kurt,

    My builder is using ThermoPly instead of Plywood for a Wall sheathing under the conventional stucco. Is that acceptable or will lead to trouble soon. This is located in Houston, Texas

    Reply
  15. Andrew Galpern says

    May 13, 2020 at 2:39 am

    Do you put a gap above the boards (the horizontal seems) too?

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Primary Sidebar

  • CA State Contractors License #730258
  • 5 Star rating on Yelp!
  • Numerously mentioned on Berkeley Parents Network
  • Choose a Licensed Contractor
    Choose a LICENSED contractor!

    • stucco patch and repairs, stucco remodels, stucco add ons, stucco additions, lath scratch and brown coats with stucco finishes to match your existing finish
    • Colors can vary from traditional earth tones to custom colors
    • Textures can be light or heavy sand finishes, smooth or all types of skip trowel
    • Expert matching on all plaster and stucco finishes
    • Quality work, reasonably priced
    • Small stucco jobs welcome

    Footer

    Kirk Giordano Plastering Inc
    2318 Eagle Ave
    Alameda, CA 94501
    (510) 521-9546
    kirkgiordano@gmail.com
    • Home
    • About Kirk Giordano Plastering
    • Contact Me
    • Videos

    Follow & Subscribe

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Google+
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Copyright © 2021 · Stucco Plastering Inc · Website Design by LegitWebs