History of stucco

Although stucco-sided homes became popular in twentieth century America, the concept of using stucco mixtures in architecture goes back to ancient times.Wall frescoes by ancient Greeks and Romans were painted on fine-grained hard plaster surfaces made of gypsum, marble dust, and glue.Stucco techniques were elaborated by the Italians during the Renaissance and spread through Europe. This marble dust compound could be molded into decorative shapes, polished to sheen, or painted.”Plaster” an ancient Greek application term meaning “to Daub on” is used to describe interior plaster dating back to 500 BC.When it became popular to apply plaster on the exterior of structures the term “Stucco work”, meaning exterior plaster, was developed to describe it as the interior products/materials would not withstand the elements.Egyptian Artists used certain fixers in these color pastes so that the paints remained on the surface in perfect condition. Egg whites were added to these pastes to give it the required thickness. Shades of orange, red and a tinge of blue are the common colors seen in the murals.

For thousands of years the plasterer performed all phases of the work involved in producing the complete job and was regarded as an artist with the highest prestige of all the construction trades.The plasterer developed finished walls, ceilings, and in many cases floors. Later when Portland cement became available in many areas, the plasterer also became involved in the finishing of pavement, sidewalks and similar work.As the volume of work grew, a natural subdivision of the work developed and with the natural evolution of the trade certain specializations developed.Certain plasterers became lathers and soon did nothing but apply lath (wood at the time). Later other plasterers stayed with the Portland cement part of the trade that was involved in laying concrete floors, sidewalks and roads.These men were then called masons. In this way three different trades developed from one because the various areas of skill became too complex for one man to successfully do all of them. Available building materials dictate major forms in traditional Persian architecture.Heavy clays, readily available at various places throughout the plateau, have encouraged the development of the most primitive of all building techniques, molded mud, compressed as solidly as possible, and allowed to dry.The abundance of heavy plastic earth, in conjunction with a tenacious lime mortar, also facilitated the development and use of brick.For thousands of years the plasterer performed all phases of the work involved in producing the complete job and was regarded as an artist with the highest prestige of all the construction trades.

The plasterer developed finished walls, ceilings, and in many cases floors. Later when Portland cement became available in many areas, the plasterer also became involved in the finishing of pavement, sidewalks and similar work. As the volume of work grew, a natural subdivision of the work developed and with the natural evolution of the trade certain specializations developed.
Certain plasterers became lathers and soon did nothing but apply lath (wood at the time). Later other plasterers stayed with the Portland cement part of the trade that was involved in laying concrete floors, sidewalks and roads.These men were then called masons. In this way three different trades developed from one because the various areas of skill became too complex for one man to successfully do all of them.During the Medieval Times and the Age of Renaissance, stucco techniques were honed by the Italians and spread throughout Europe becoming one of the most common building materials. Widely used in French Renaissance and Baroque. More