A crack in any exterior finish is a vulnerability in your first line of defense. While larger cracks are most likely an indication of structural issues, hairline and surface cracks create a literal opening for dirt, moisture, critters, and everything else, potentially leading to moisture intrusion, discoloration, peeling paint, and mold. The good news is if you prevent the crack, you will be less likely to encounter other issues as well. Now, there is a simple way to reduce the occurrence of surface cracking for stucco wall systems. It’s called Sto Crack Defense.
An Affordable Way to Fight Surface Cracks
Sto Crack Defense is an innovative solution that enhances the durability and aesthetic appeal of stucco wall systems. It consists of Sto Mesh embedded in Sto polymer-reinforced basecoat. Recommended when a fine texture finish is specified, this fortification layer is ideal for preventing hairline and surface cracking and could save thousands of dollars if repairs are ever needed.
Sto RFP–a one-component, ready-mixed, reinforced basecoat with high tensile strength and flexibility–is the recommended basecoat option. It does not contain or require cement and will help reduce the occurrence of efflorescence. To see Sto Crack Defense options, specifications, and a full list of allowable components, visit our stucco systems page.
Enhanced Durability for Long-Term Savings
The beauty of Sto Crack Defense is that it helps prevent issues before they happen while adding minimal cost to the wall system itself. Reinforcing your first line of defense means fewer callbacks, so you’ll save money on long-term maintenance and repair costs. The benefits of Sto Crack Defense include:
- Enhances strength and flexibility of stucco
- Cost-effective solution with long-term savings
- Suitable for both new constructions and renovation projects
- Maintains aesthetic options without compromising durability
Sto Crack Defense can be added to any of Sto’s engineered stucco systems that include an acrylic finish, which may extend your system’s warranty by up to 3 years.
A Smart Solution Deserves A Beautiful Finish
After building in that extra layer of protection, finish the system with any of Sto’s beautiful finishes. Our goal is to give you unmatched creative freedom and the ability to establish the design aesthetic that best illustrates and illuminates your creative vision. Available in a variety of textures and an extensive range of color options, Sto Traditional Finishes feature pure white marble aggregate and acrylic polymers. These finishes provide the basis for StoSignature looks, allowing endless design possibilities with the performance confidence of Sto finishes.
StoCast Brick and StoCast Wood can also be used to capture the essence of real brick and wood, respectively. These resin-cast shapes are more lightweight and durable than their traditional counterparts, minimizing time and energy in transportation and installation and allowing for greater conservation of natural material resources.
To see all of the aesthetic possibilities, visit our aesthetic product selector.
Restore Existing Stucco Buildings, Too
While Sto Crack Defense is ideal for new construction, it is also easily incorporated into reStore Level 2 projects when repairing and refinishing existing stucco buildings. Resurfacing the building with Sto Crack Defense will extend the life of the cladding while allowing for a wide variety of aesthetics.
Intelligent Solutions from an Industry Leader
Sto Corp. is the world’s leading innovator in claddings, air barriers, coatings, and restoration systems. So, it’s no surprise that we are developing innovative solutions like Sto Crack Defense that help to improve building performance by reducing repairs and maintenance costs. But our portfolio includes so much more, like special wall assemblies engineered to meet the building enclosure’s very particular design and performance requirements and the ability to achieve a wide variety of aesthetic appearances.
For more information about Sto Crack Defense or Sto Corp., please visit www.stocorp.com or call (800) 221-2397. To find the perfect Sto system for your project, check out the Sto System Finder.
