How do you apply a knockdown finish to the exterior of a house?

Question

I've been searching online for a list of materials and a method, but all I keep seeing are how-to's for drywall/interior knockdown finishes.

Answer 1

I am assuming that the knock down (KD) finish is on stucco.  Typically there are three steps “scratch, “brown”, and “finish” (or “color”)coats used to applying stucco; and it’s the finish coat where the texture is applied.

With a machine finish, the final or color coat is applied with a hose that more-or-less sprays the final coat on.  As is the case in a drywall finish, the applicator runs a trowel over the finish coat to gently smooth and flatten the appearance of the finish.

If applied by hand, the final coat is applied directly with a trowel and the finish is “skipped” onto the brown coat.

The whole process really isn’t much different from texturing the drywall on the interior of the house, only on the exterior we’re working with more durable cement products.

As to the question of “how do I do this?” – not so easy to answer.  If it’s a small area to be patched you might be better off using a synthetic product that is designed to look like stucco.

Answer 2

It's stucco and done completely differently. Quite a talented trade. You first have furring put up for and air space. Then you install styrofoam over this. Then you put on a scratch coat of cement...with a trowel. Then you put on a special coating like cement (Duroc is one brand) which usually dries to the texture you see. It is formulated to go on smooth then while it dries it 'bubbles and pops' to give the finished look. There are many differnet formulations for different looks. It is quite the process and if you are not good with a trowel and slaking on cement on a vertical surface then you should maybe think of something else. It can be done tho' if you put your mind to it....Maybe do an inconspicuous area first to see if you are able. If it is over a cement wall then you don't need the styrofoam. Don't let anyone tell you you don't need a gap between the stucco and your house as I am a building inspector and the code where I am from used to allow for no gap but is now changing as houses are starting to rot as there is no air gap in most applications from the past. If it is hot and sunny and no rain where you are then maybe your code would not call for a gap.