Services · Exterior
Hard Coat Stucco.
Three-coat cementitious hard-coat stucco — the durable, breathable exterior standard for Atlanta and Southeast custom homes since 1995.
What it is
Hard-coat stucco is true cementitious plaster, built up over expanded metal lath in three deliberate coats: scratch, brown, and finish. Done correctly, it produces an exterior that is dimensionally stable, breathable, and visually closer to traditional European stucco than any synthetic system.
We hand-apply hard-coat on luxury custom homes across Atlanta, the North Georgia foothills, and coastal markets. Each project starts with substrate review and weep-screed detailing, because hard-coat is only as good as what is behind it. Sample panels are produced on-site so the architect, designer, and homeowner sign off on color and texture before crews mobilize.
Properly installed hard-coat regularly outlasts the home's other exterior finishes — we have residential hard-coat from the late 1990s still in original condition.
Our process
From the first site visit to the final coat.
Every project follows a sequence — refined over thirty years and adapted to the substrate, climate, and finish system.
- 01
Site review & substrate inspection
Assess sheathing, weather barrier, and flashing details before lath goes on.
- 02
Lath, weep, and accessory installation
Galvanized expanded lath, casing beads, and corner reinforcement on schedule.
- 03
Scratch coat
First cementitious coat keyed into the lath, scored to receive the brown coat.
- 04
Brown coat & cure
Leveling coat applied and cured to gauge — moisture-controlled to prevent shrinkage.
- 05
On-site sample approval
Color and texture panel signed off by architect, designer, and homeowner.
- 06
Finish coat
Hand-troweled to the approved profile; integral color or applied finish per spec.
Common questions
Hard Coat Stucco — frequently asked.
How long does hard-coat stucco last?
Properly detailed and installed, residential hard-coat regularly performs 50+ years with only periodic maintenance. The material itself is more durable than the surrounding sealants and trim.
Is hard-coat stucco the same as EIFS?
No. EIFS (synthetic stucco) is foam-board insulation with an acrylic finish. Hard-coat is cementitious plaster on lath. They look similar from a distance but behave very differently in moisture, fire, and impact resistance.
Can hard-coat stucco crack?
Hairline movement at control joints is normal and expected. Spider cracks indicate a substrate or lath issue, not the stucco — which is why our pre-installation review matters.
Related work
See related services.
Exterior
Natural Stucco
Lime- and clay-based natural stucco exteriors — the original European technique. Breathable, mineral, and patina-rich.
Learn moreExterior
Synthetic Finish
Acrylic synthetic exterior finishes (EIFS) installed with proper detailing — efficient, color-stable, and code-compliant when done by a crew that respects moisture management.
Learn moreSpecialty
Breathable Stucco
Vapor-open stucco systems built around lime and mineral binders — the right choice when the wall assembly needs to dry to the outside.
Learn more
Portfolio
See hard coat stucco in our gallery
Ready to talk through your hard coat stucco project?
Tell us about the project and we'll walk through it with you and put together a proposal.