Smooth finish stucco, often referred to as a Santa Barbara finish, is widely considered one of the most beautiful exterior surfaces in architecture. The smooth, variegated appearance can be striking on upscale homes and buildings.
However, smooth finishes are also more prone to visible cosmetic cracking than textured finishes—sometimes simply from curing and shrinkage, and sometimes further amplified by building movement from settling, seismic activity, vibration, and thermal cycling.
Some minor cracking is to be expected with smooth stucco finishes. Still, there are proven ways to reduce the innate tendency—especially when the goal is a premium, high-visibility finish.
FLASH! The latest advance in solutions for this phenomenon is an exciting new product from Texston, Ortex® : a cutting-edge plaster manufacturer. The product can achieve the look of classic smooth finishes, with much less propensity to crack.