Stucco
By: Amanda Campbell
Updated: August 12, 2010
You’ve probably heard about the water damage problems that homeowners have had with some synthetic stucco finishes. One form of exterior insulated finish systems or “EIFS” can do a great job as a water barrier system. But, unfortunately, this type of synthetic stucco can trap water inside the wall just as well as it can keep water out.
La Habra Stucco® was established in 1926 as a manufacturer of colored stucco. Over the years, the company has developed a number of new products, formulations and systems and now offers a wide range of exterior and interior coating materials, including cementitious and acrylic stucco. La Habra pioneered the “base and package system,” which reduced distributors’ inventory costs and allowed a wide range of colors to become readily available both in the U.S. and internationally.
La Habra Stucco water-resistant finishes include:
Weather-Tex®
A water-resistant, modified cement-based stucco that resists rain, snow, and adverse weather conditions while still retaining the versatility of a conventional stucco finish. Available in La Habra’s 30 standard colors and utilizes La Habra’s CP Color Pack. Special colors are available upon request. Weather-Tex is available in 16/20 and 20/30 aggregates, from which a variety of textures and finishes can be achieved.
Advantages
* Water Resistant
* Increased Stain Resistance
* Integral Color
* Wide variety of textures and finishes
* Economical
* Low-Maintenance
Acrylic Finish
La Habra Acrylic Finishes are durable coatings which provide color and texture over La Habra Wall, brown coat, cast-in-place concrete, and other approved substrates. These finishes are premixed, 100-percent acrylic-based coatings, available in coarse, extra coarse, medium, and fine finishes. La Habra Acrylic Finish is available in 30 standard colors. Custom color matching is available upon request. La Habra Acrylic Finish is also available in base-and-liquid color or as a premix.
La Habra recommends that all surfaces should be primed with La Habra Acrylic Primer. Ambient air and surface temperatures must be 40° F or above during application and drying time. High surface temperature or windy conditions may result in rapid drying and difficulty in maintaining a wet edge. Protection from precipitation must also be provided as needed. If applying over La Habra Wall, it must be fully cured, and the surface must be opened (not smooth) by floating or brushing. Prior to application of La Habra Acrylic Finish, concrete must be cured for a minimum of 28 days. Maintaining a wet edge during application will help achieve uniformity of color and texture.
Advantages
* Resists hairline cracking & checking
* Water resistant
* Provides integral fade resistant colors
* Excellent workability
* Good resistance to staining
* Reduced maintenance
* Color consistency
* Reduced waste
* Reduced lead times
La Habra Wall
La Habra Wall is a fiber-reinforced cement basecoat plaster designed for application over foam insulation board and exterior sheathing. The variety of substrates – i.e., steel or wood framing – it can be applied to, together with cost and time savings, present new opportunities for stucco wall construction. The ‘portland’ cement, reinforced fibers, and chemical additives are packaged as a concentrate. Washed plaster sand and water are added to the La Habra Wall concentrate on the job site. When a ‘portland’ cement finish coat is to be applied, the La Habra Wall surface must be opened (not smooth) by floating or brushing.
Advantages & Benefits
* Increased R-values (foam board system)
* Improved flexural strength
* Saves time compared to traditional 3-coat system
* Reduces project construction time
* Exceptional workability (gun or hand-applied)
* Applied by approved applicators
* Excellent base for a variety of architectural finishes .

