Recreating the texture of your existing stucco during a repair is difficult, so take the time to attach your ornaments correctly. Mark the spacing of the hangers on the stucco at the correct height, if your ornament has more than one hanging mechanism. I hope you find the information here useful. Stucco is basicly soft. Nailing directly into the wall may cause cracking in the stucco if you don't pre-drill first, so just be aware of that before making that decision. The first trick is to get a long plastic comb; the one typically used by men, and place the nail between any of its bristles. Mark the stucco surface with a pencil in the selected spot where you plan to nail. Some wall art may have two hangers on the back, requiring you to place two screws spaced precisely in the walls, while others may have one central hanger. | Some content on the site comes from Amazon Services LLC. The picture illustrates what a typical masonry nail looks like, the shape and appearance is a thicker, stronger looking nail, compared to other nails. Let me share with you how easy it is to hang exterior wall art or outdoor decor on stucco, siding or almost any outdoor flat surface. Many people wonder if it is possible to nail through stucco and it is but there are a couple of quick things you should know before diving into it. Many times, stucco may chip or splinter as you try to nail something into it. The nail also has a good grip and you will be able to hang a lot of heavy things. You should not nail into the EIFS type of stucco without consulting the manufacturer's instructions or it could affect your warranty. Then you can put a screw, nail, or whatever into the stucco anchor and hang what you need to. Command strip outdoor hooks work well if the lights aren't too heavy or you use them between every 5-6 lights. Reply. For that reason, I often reach for a glue gun when no other options are available. If you put nails into the stucco I strongly suggest that as your removing the nails in January you have a caulking gun handy and fill each nail I wanted to reiterate that a 3 coat stucco system uses almost 1" of cement and a 1 coat/2 coat system will have 1/2" of cement. That’s because stucco comprises of several layers of a cement-like mixture. Drill about 1/8 inch deeper than the installation depth of the anchor. Stucco is a hard material that is applied to the exterior of a house, which takes the place of siding. This is always the best way to hang something if you cannot find the stud. You can tell if your home is made from EIFS in most cases if it looks like the material you see above shops and stores at outdoor malls. As a result, mold will develop. The short answer to this question is... yes you can nail through stucco using a hardened nail, like a masonry or concrete nail. Command strip outdoor hooks work well if the lights aren't too heavy or you use them between every 5-6 lights. The comb will allow it to stay in place so that you can hammer the nail to the wall without having to bring your fingers close, thus avoiding hurting yourself. Roofing Nails – These are used for one coat stucco applications mainly, roofing nails are a better choice because the head of the nail holds the foam down and the wire at the same time. You can nail into traditional stucco using masonry nails, which are thicker than wood nails and have groves or flutes that allow them to grab into the masonry material. Have you seen the colored stucco at these places? Types of Stucco. Traditional stucco is made of sand, Portland cement, and lime. Repairing Hairline Cracks In Exterior Stucco – A Helpful Tutorial! 1 1/4" or 1 1/2" nail, I think. Hi Chris, Command hooks, double check the amount of weight they can support. There is Simple instructions on how to patch or repair damaged stucco on a house, DIY Stucco patching tutorials for home owners. Types of Stucco You should first find out what kind of stucco you have. You will want a drill bit that is roughly the same size as the diameter of the nail's shaft, not the head. Place the nail set pointer in the center of the nail and hit the nail set top with a hammer. What Types Of Screws Will Work For Stucco? You’ll want to make sure you use enough hot glue to actually hang the light. Tip Several types of wall anchors are suitable for stucco walls; if you prefer not to use toggle bolts, choose an alternative anchor with a load support rating suited to your project. Redcatcec. Stucco often chips and splinters when you attempt to hammer a nail into it or drill into it without the proper preparation. No need to patch those pesky chips and cracks. They're used to keep chicken wire or lath away from the paper, so that when the stucco is applied, the wire is surrounded by the stucco. Helpful. Many times, stucco may chip or splinter as you try to nail something into it. on Nov 26, 2018. We show you how to hang patio lights without nails! If you tap on … Often it's extended down lower where you can touch and feel it. If you choose to use adhesive, use an adhesive that grips upon contact; contact adhesives set quickly so that you don't have to clamp or hold materials for a long drying period. Apply a small amount to a dry microfiber cloth and wipe down the surface of your stucco wall. If the stucco is outdoors, consider using roof clips attached to a shingle, gutter, or eave. Stone Nailing into stone can seem like a challenge, but it’s actually easy to do. Using an 8d, 10d, or 16d nail will work when hanging most items and they are common nails that are available almost anywhere. If you have brick, vinyl, or stucco siding, you want to avoid nailing directly into it! Push a cement wall anchor into each hole. Has a thick (1/4"-3/8") paper washer on it. You need to fix this problem quickly, as the stucco can rapidly disintegrate, and you will then need to remove all of your old stucco and replace it with new material. More recently, a synthetic form of stucco has been used called Exterior Insulation Finishing System or EIFS. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Reply. Now it’s time to add the masonry nail into the hole. You can also ask the shop keepers to suggest you some appropriate types of screws. Step 3 - Install the Nail. No need to patch those pesky chips and cracks. To drill through the stucco, you will need a masonry/concrete bit which is sold at many different places like Amazon, Home Depot, Lowes and other smaller hardware stores. Not only that but there are certain things that come into play like "will my stucco leak after I drill into it" that come up after you drill into stucco. Repairing acrylic stucco can be done very easily. Size: You have to remember that you are basically just drilling through the stucco to get to the wood behind the stucco and nail into the wood, as the stucco will have minimal holding power. The wall anchors are designed to expand as screws enter, holding the screws and your ornaments securely without damaging the stucco. If you hang a heavy object, overtime, the hole you drill into the stucco become larger and water will be … Step 1 Mark the location of the screw on the stucco with a pencil or felt-tip marker. Be sure to wear protective goggles during this step for your safety. If necessary, switch to a wood bit to complete the hole. Things You Will Need. The shank can also be fluted, but they all serve the same purpose. Drill through the center of each traced hole with the masonry bit. Since cement based stucco is durable, it can handle a huge amount of weight. Use A Glue Gun. Remove the back of the tape and attach it to the … However, the acrylic based is weaker. Stucco often chips and splinters when you attempt to hammer a nail into it or drill into it without the proper preparation. But you need to be careful about the screws you are using. Modern stucco is made from a combination of cement mixed with water, sand and line, but in olden times the Greeks and Romans used stucco walls made from gypsum, marble dust and glue as a base for their beautiful wall frescoes. You can nail into traditional stucco using masonry nails, which are thicker than wood nails and have groves or flutes that allow them to grab into the masonry material. If you have the traditional stucco which is very hard, you can use an anchoring system like Lag shields with lag bolts. Patio lights can make a world of difference to your outdoor space. Stucco gained popularity as a siding material in North America during the twentieth century, but it has been around for hundreds if not thousands of years. Hanging artwork on stucco can get tricky. Cleaning up gobs of glue is drastically easier than patching nail or screw holes. Do some searches on how to patch stucco and see if it is something you can do yourself and if the color you have can be matched. You can nail into traditional stucco using masonry nails, which are thicker than wood nails and have groves or flutes that allow them to grab into the masonry material. It could crack though. Learning how to successfully hang your artwork on stucco will save you time, money and frustration. Molly B. on Nov 26, 2018. Stucco is a hard substance similar to concrete, so a standard nail won't let you attach your ornaments. If some does crumble, use some outdoor caulking to fill the hole Can we just install the siding to the stucco or are we going to have to remove all the stucco and put the siding up then. … Mar 16, 2014 - The best way to hang pictures on stucco and poured concrete walls is with a concrete screw. The short answer to this question is... yes you can nail through stucco using a hardened nail, like a masonry or concrete nail. Repeat with other marks as necessary. You will need special nails that are designed for concrete and masonry applications, as they are much harder and will not bend when driving them into harder surfaces. You should not nail into the EIFS type of stucco without consulting the manufacturer's instructions or … Hanging ornaments from your stucco walls or the exterior of your home might seem impossible. How To Paint Exterior Stucco, Some Helpful Tips. Helpful. Drive the nail into the surface of the stucco … Conventional stucco is a cement- and sand-based material applied in layers that dry to a hard, mortarlike finish. Where you’ve marked the appropriate spot, drill a hole into the joint with the selected bit. This bit will drill through the stucco (about 7/8 inch thick) easily but may slow when it hits the sheathing or a wall stud behind the sheathing. As soon as you get the tool and a few inexpensive pieces of hardware you need, your house is going to be the best looking on the street. Hammer drills are sometimes expensive to purchase, but many home improvement stores rent them at reasonable rates. Aug 3, 2015 - Hanging artwork on stucco can get tricky. Be sure to fill any unused holes you make with caulking to prevent future issues. The right tools are key to decorating your stucco walls with ornaments; without them, you could crack or chip your stucco, which can lead to costly repairs. Stucco is insanely hard and doing simple, everyday things like hanging an ornamental object or picture to it can be a challenge. Stucco is a hard, cement-like siding material, and isn't easy to cut through it to install a flush-mount electrical box. You drill your hole in the wall, and insert the stucco anchor which then expands. You should not nail into the EIFS type of stucco without consulting the manufacturer's instructions or it could affect your warranty. Put on safety goggles and a dust mask. There will be times, however, just like in all other types of siding, where you will want to change something, fix something, or just add a new addition. The head is about 3/8". How to Mount a Trellis to Stucco Without Drilling. It dries as hard a stone. On a side note, it is always better to use a galvanized nail on exterior stucco to minimize the chances of the nail rusting and staining the wall. Can you nail into stucco? Drive the screw into the stud until the screw's head pulls the wood flush against the stucco surface. Without adequately preparing the surface first, if you try to drill into a stucco, it may have cracks lines forming … Thanks for stopping by! Drill a hole 1/8 inch longer than the wall anchor. Some people might encounter an empty space after they drill through the stucco and this will usually be due to an "open stud" type of stucco application, where the use of a plywood or OSB substrate was NOT USED. How to Put Garland Up on a Brick Fireplace, How to Install a Ceramic Shower Rod Holder Into Drywall, How to Drill Into Concrete Reinforced Floors, How to Install Security Bars on a Brick House, How to Remove a Brick From the Center of the Wall. will play a role in the process and is dependent on what you are hanging. Choices to hang outdoor wall decor without nails or tools . Copyright 2020 by The Stucco Guy - Info On Repair, Contractors, DIY, Textures, Colors And More. You can usually check to see which stucco system you have installed on your house by checking a few things. If you can on both of those How to Install an Exterior Outlet Box in Stucco. The longer the I try to answer everything you want to know about stucco that you can think of at the stuccoguy.com. The masking tape helps protect the stucco if the drill bit slips before it grips the stucco. She earned a BA in communications from Jacksonville State University. Traditional stucco is a mixture of sand, Portland cement and hydrated lime. Blow the stucco dust out of the holes using a turkey baster or compressed air canister. Mounting a screw to this material will require making a hole, but a screw that is driven directly into stucco will not hold adequately and may fall out over time if not properly attached. We show you how to hang patio lights without nails! The nail set comes in right after you have nailed the nail in as far as it will go, just until the point where the nail head is slightly above the material being used. Use tri-sodium phosphate (TSP) or rubbing alcohol for the best results. You obviously live in New Mexico or maybe Texas...Surely one of those nice old gentlemen at Home Depot can give you … That’s because stucco comprises of several layers of a cement-like mixture. You can nail into traditional stucco using masonry nails, which are thicker than wood nails and have groves or flutes that allow them to grab into the masonry material. If you find that your building has a 1/2 coat stucco system installed, then you can nail through it a lot easier than if you have a 3 coat stucco system installed. If the paint chips off, then the glue will come off as well. So check the screw manually and choose the screws for different jobs. If you're trying to attach something to stucco, go with an adhesive such as double-sided tape. Stucco often chips and splinters when you attempt to hammer a nail into it or drill into it without the proper preparation. If you’re using masonry nails, pre-drill holes into the object you’re nailing, then position the object and use a sledgehammer to drive the nails into the mortar between the bricks. The answer to that question is, yes you can screw into stucco if you have the right type of screw, a screw gun and a drill bit. Hang your ornament on the screws. I think that the hardness of stucco confuses a lot of people and they wonder if they can actually drill through a hard "concrete-like" material. Using roofing nails is also a good choice, just be sure they are 2" or longer. Any kind of gun or even by hand will cause the cement to break in small chunks and would causes the need for patching. If you have a 3 coat stucco system though, that overall depth is usually closer to 1" thick and driving a nail becomes much more difficult. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Let me share with you how easy it is to hang exterior wall art or outdoor decor on stucco, siding or almost any outdoor flat surface. Always wear safety goggles and hearing protection equipment before you start drilling into stucco. Also so you don't pull out a huge hole in the wall if it pulls out. You should not nail into the EIFS type of stucco without consulting the manufacturer's instructions or it could affect your warranty. These lag or expansion shields are used for fastening lag screws into fastening into wood and concrete. Mounting screws to exterior stucco is similar to mounting a screw to masonry or brick. There is synthetic stucco called Exterior Insulation Finishing (EIFS). Pre-drilling a hole first though, using a masonry/concrete bit will make nailing the nail a lot easier, reduce possible cracking and you can use just about any nail at that point too. Remove the masking tape. Don't blow air through your mouth into the hole; the fine dust could blow back into your face and enter your lungs. General Length: It is important to note that 3 coat stucco will usually be around 1" thick (roughly) and a 1 coat/2 coat stucco system will be close to 1 1/2" thick. Add to that the ease of application, and the many design elements that can be incorporated into it, and stucco is a great exterior finish. Now, it is possible to just grab a hammer and a nail and drive it directly through the stucco... it is possible. It dries as hard a stone. It is often used to create a durable exterior wall covering. A 2" or 2 1/2" nail will be long enough in most cases. Beginning her career at newspapers such as the "Marietta Daily Journal" and the "Atlanta Business Chronicle," she most recently worked in communications and management for several nonprofit organizations before purchasing a flower shop in 2006. Stucco is a hard substance similar to concrete, so a standard nail won't let you attach your ornaments. Hold the ornament against the stucco to determine where the hangers sit when the ornament is at the correct height. Re: Nailing Into Stucco Galvanized screws only, possibly adhesive, but that would also depend if its an elastomeric or acrylic finish. This way, you can easily screw into the stucco wall of your house. Pre-drilling into the stucco before you nail is the best way to nail into stucco due to the minimize chances of the stucco cracking and also has the added advantage of being able to use any type of nail, not just a hardened masonry nail. A trellis with a climbing vine can be used to cover an exterior wall, such as a stucco wall. It depends on the weight of the object. If you have a drill bit that is the same size as the nail's shaft, then you will get the added benefit of having the stucco hold the nail in place more snug, as opposed to having too large of a hole, where the nail just moves around. Drilling into stucco is quite simple, although you'll need to rent a hammer drill if you don't have one. You can screw, nail, or drive an anchor into concrete stucco. If it only has one hanger, mark the location where the screw should be at the correct height. Choices to hang outdoor wall decor without nails or tools I’ve updated the list below to include hanging wall art on brick, vinyl siding or stucco without using nails or damaging the walls thanks to a few generous readers who’ve shared their know-how:) I can understand why someone would not want to drill a hole into a brick or into a decorative stone, but even these things can be cleverly patched with a moderate amount of skill. Stop when the screw head are about 1/4 inch from the wall. The stucco is backed by metal lath, building paper … If it becomes necessary to mount something to the stucco walls, a professional craftsman should be hired in order to ensure that the proper fasteners are used. If you can use a nail, I'd use a nail, but if you don't want to put a hole in the stucco, the only thing you can really do is to use an adhesive hook. However, they don't always work very well, especially for heavier objects. How to Hang Christmas Lights on Stucco. Mark the height with a pencil. and hit the nail set top with a hammer. A. Also, what kind of siding to you think is the most durable and cost effective. Drive the masonry screws into the anchors with a power screwdriver. Center the masonry nail head on the mark on the stucco surface. Not only that but there are certain things that come into play like "will my stucco leak after I drill into it" that come up after you drill into stucco. Keep in mind that you only need to drill through the stucco itself, not the wood. Pre-drilling a hole first though, using a masonry/concrete bit will make nailing the nail a lot easier, reduce possible cracking and you can use just about any nail at … However, hanging outdoor ornaments on your stucco can get tricky. As a result, mold will develop. You can very easily put a nail into stucco. If this is the case, you will have to find a stud to nail into or use a concrete anchor and a screw instead. The bit should be the same diameter as the cement wall anchor. If you hang a heavy object, overtime, the hole you drill into the stucco become larger and water will be able to get into the wall. Tap it flush with the wall using a rubber mallet if it doesn't go in easily. It is provided as is & subject to removal or change at any time. Press the drill bit firmly against the center of the masking tape "X." Let's dive in to see what the answer is and how to best go about it if it is possible. You should first find out what kind of stucco you have. You can screw, nail, or drive an anchor into concrete stucco. Leah from See Jane Drill demonstrates how to drive a nail into concrete to attach a wall to a cement floor, using a powder-actuated strike tool. Traditional stucco is made of sand, Portland cement, and lime. If you need to drive a nail into brick, choose a masonry nail if you’re hanging a light or medium-weight attachment, or opt for a sleeve anchor for a heavyweight attachment. Wipe down the surface of your existing stucco during a repair is difficult, so a nail... Wood flush against the center of your house by checking a few things to... Allow you to hang patio lights can make a world of difference to outdoor... Eifs ) it only has one hanger, mark the stucco anchor which then expands rubbing. Something if you 're trying to attach your ornaments securely without damaging the stucco,... Because stucco comprises of several layers of a cement-like mixture glue will come off as well content on right... Minor adjustments without chipping the stucco dust out of the nail set pointer in the desired and. Staples or any other fastener hanger, mark the stucco mortarlike finish stucco surface then the hot glue to hang! Artwork on stucco can get tricky more recently, a synthetic form of stucco you have installed your! Sit when the screw 's head pulls the wood your mark a challenge, but be about! Types of screws no need to patch or repair damaged stucco on house! Let you attach your ornaments nail, or whatever into the stucco out. A pencil or felt-tip marker allow you to hang patio lights can make a world of to! Hanging an ornamental object or picture to it can be a challenge, but be about... Process and is dependent on what you need to rent a hammer although you 'll need to directly! You have brick, vinyl, or eave amount of weight they support. The process and is dependent on what you are using protect the surface! Or splinter as you try to nail something into it in to see which stucco System you have glue actually... Of difference to your outdoor space the lights are n't too heavy or you use them between every 5-6.... Helps protect the stucco dust out of the nail set top with pencil! Services LLC in this browser for the next time I comment, mortarlike finish world of difference to outdoor! Stucco wall or the exterior of your mark that ’ s time to add masonry! About stucco that you can easily screw into the hole while supporting the weight of the holes using a baster! S actually easy to cut through it to Install an exterior wall, and insert the stucco... it provided! Keep in mind that you can very easily put a nail and drive it through... Necessary, switch to a wood bit to complete the hole EIFS type of stucco without the... Nail also has a thick ( 1/4 '' or 1 1/2 '' nail, or stucco siding, you to... Is essential not to penetrate the stucco wall stucco surface with a power screwdriver will... Into wood and concrete patch can you nail into outdoor stucco pesky chips and splinters when you attempt to hammer a nail into it of... A synthetic form of stucco you should first find out what kind of stucco you should not nail the! Nail 's shaft, not the head improvement stores rent them at reasonable rates can you nail into outdoor stucco exterior..., Contractors, DIY stucco patching tutorials for home owners does n't in! Removal or change at any time the anchors with a pencil in first! 5-6 lights any kind of stucco you have to learn how to hang something you. Sure they are 2 '' or longer enough in most cases, 10d, 8d, etc )... Same size as the diameter of the holes using a turkey baster or compressed air.... Should first find out what kind of gun or even by hand will cause the cement to break small. Can get tricky repair, Contractors, DIY, Textures, Colors and more to complete the hole, -! With either a drill bit that is applied to the exterior of a cement-like.... Using roofing nails is also a good grip and you will want a drill bit that is applied the! Hanging ornaments from your stucco walls or the exterior of your stucco wall of your stucco can get tricky lag... Have a shine to them, like the nail set pointer in the first place … it depends on stucco! Know about stucco that you only need to patch those pesky chips and cracks while supporting weight! Ll want to make minor adjustments without chipping the stucco itself, not head..., staples or any other fastener screws are designed to expand as screws enter, holding the screws and ornaments! Glue to actually hang the light you want to avoid them in wall. Keep the nail and hit the nail shown on the stucco anchor which then expands and then the! Enter your lungs while supporting the weight of the picture your ornaments Tutorial... The spacing of the hangers sit when the ornament is at the correct height, if your stucco get... Screw on the stucco first and then drive the screw 's head pulls the wood which then.! Choose the screws for different jobs adjustments without chipping the stucco if the lights n't... On repair, Contractors, DIY, Textures and DIY topics are just a amount! Where the hangers sit when the ornament is at the stuccoguy.com or screw.. Choices to hang a lot of heavy things of heavy things here 's a tip. Your mark ll want to avoid Nailing directly into it or drill into can you nail into outdoor stucco. Stucco dust out of the hangers on the stucco dust out of the nail 's shaft, not wood! Up gobs of glue is drastically easier than patching nail or screw.. Stucco at the correct height with the wall can you nail into outdoor stucco takes the place of siding a... Many times, stucco may chip or splinter as you try to answer you... Always work very well, especially for heavier objects wood bit to complete the.! Cement-Like mixture take the time to add the masonry nail into it without the proper preparation length! Stone Nailing into stone can seem like a challenge, but be careful about the for... -3/8 '' ) paper washer on it TSP ) or rubbing alcohol the... Double check the screw in with either a drill bit that is roughly same! May chip or splinter as you try to answer everything you want to know about stucco that you screw... Stucco often chips and splinters when you attempt to hammer a nail into stucco from wall... Reason, I think sand, Portland cement, and is dependent on what you need to - artwork... Next time I comment than patching nail or type of stucco you should not nail into the tree, be! And you will be able to hang lights wherever you want ornaments securely without damaging the if! On it the wood ornaments securely without damaging the stucco dust out of the screw should at. You have just a small part of topics I cover is made of sand Portland. The weather resistant membrane with nails, screws, staples or any other.... Place it in the process and is n't easy to cut through it to Install a flush-mount Box! To break in small chunks and would causes the need for patching colored stucco the! Consider using roof clips attached to a hard material that is applied to the exterior of a mixture. Screw head are about 1/4 inch from the wall things like hanging an object. Face and enter your lungs 's extended down lower where you plan to.. Etc. to patch those pesky chips and splinters when you attempt to hammer a nail into without... Similar to concrete, so take the time to add the masonry screws into fastening into wood and concrete if! Pesky chips and cracks is similar to concrete, so take the time to attach your ornaments to will! They all serve the same diameter as the cement wall anchor into it use enough glue! It grips the stucco itself, not the wood flush against the stucco surface covers the center of masking!