STUCCO CONSTRUCTION

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20786, 22 April 1939, Page 27 (Supplement)

STUCCO CONSTRUCTION

Architects in every' land have long regarded stucco as the Weal medium for expression of beauty in form, texture and colour. In every climate and all kinds of scenic surroundings it is always correct and harmonious. From the stately Tudor and Georgian homes of Old England to the exotic villas of the* Riviera—to the new and modern America —and now, most importantly, to us In New Zealand, stucco blends with every architectural detail and scenic background. But more important to us in New Zealand Is the fact that stucco is, from the practical economical viewpoint, the most satisfactory' form of external lining that we can use in the construction of our small domestic homes. The high humidity an-d general destructiveness of our climate upon non-permanent forms of constructional material render reinforced concrete stucco construction particularly sound for use In our country Reinforced concrete stucco construction of outside walls need cost no more than the initial outlay required for the old-fashioned and common form of weatherboard construction. Study this statement carefully, because all those who are building or about to build know that their building hopes live or die upon the basis of cost. Now we propose to take you through step by step of the many advantages which reinforced stucco construction offers. Having already made tlie definite statement in regard to comparative cost, it will then be clearly apparent to readers that stucco construction is the ideal medium for our New Zealand conditions. Colour. —Every normal person loves colour, yet very few realise how very definite a *part it plays in their scheme of living. Modern manufacture has made possible the use of coloured cement in 15 to 20 different permanent shades, many of which can be incorporated in the external colour scheme. Texture. —Concrete stucco enables the use of a variety of textures suited to the architectural contour and scenic surroundings of the bouse. The variety of these textures is limited only by the Ingenuity of the craftsmen. Depreciation.—Reinforced concrete stucco is virtually free from depreciation. It does not rot; it cannot be attacked Iby verim or borer; it won't warp, shrink or buckle. Maintenance. —There is no costly annual upkeep in repairing broken boards, repainting to overcome cracked, blistered, chipped, worn or discoloured paint. A scrubbing will bring stucco back to its pristine freshness.

Insulation.—The modern reinforced stucco construction provides insulation against extremes of heat and cold; shuts out draughts; shuts out excessive noise—all very desirable features. Earthquake resistance.—Observations during the disastrous earthquakes in New Zealand of 1931, 1933 and 1934 demonstrated the undoubted resistance under earthquake conditions of reinforced stuooo construction. Fire resistance. —Stucco homes are practically fireproof against all external fire hazard. Insuranoe offices recognise this fact by offering lower premiums. The number of headings we have given you above are sufficient to indicate the undoubted merits of this form of construction.

—Article and illustration supplied by Win stone Ltd., Bryce Street, HAMILTON.