Early humans discovered, perhaps by mimicking birds, wasps, or beavers that certain natural materials such as mud, clay, and lime could be shaped and applied to rock or brick surfaces. These hardening materials were suitable for weather-proofing and parging as well as ornamentation.
The traditions of plastering go back as far as prehistoric times. And though remains of some of the earliest plasters have survived for us, records do not take us back to when the compounding of materials for plastering first occurred. Cliff dwellings, pyramids of Egypt, and structures in Central and South America provide evidence of plastering done as long as 4000 years ago or more. Plasters are generally of three types – with gypsum, lime, or Portland cement as the cementitious agent.
Portland cement plaster, what we now refer to as “stucco”, is a relatively modern discovery, and did not find widespread usage until the early 20th century. Stucco materials and systems have changed dramatically within the last 100 years, and particularly in the last three decades. Several innovative variations on Portland cement stucco have been developed to meet the changing needs of the building industry.
