Don stucco homes have cracking problems?
You’re probably familiar with stucco finishes over wood framing. This particular method of construction has unfortunately given stucco exteriors an unwarranted reputation in the USA over the past few decades. Cracking and structural problems in wood & stucco buildings is directly related to moisture and the incompatibility of these two materials: the building’s wood frame expands and contracts at a different rate than the stucco exterior. The problem is exacerbated by moisture, as the wood will swell and rot. Since steel and cement have approximately the same thermal expansion coefficient, we don’t have these issues. The oldest am‑cor structure is approximately 17 years old, with no reported problems.
