Stucco vs Mortar....whats the difference?

Question

I went to the home improvement store and am trying to stucco around the bottom of my pier and beam house to close it up. Should i use the stucco bag (13.00) or use mortar (4.95). Is there a differnce or can i use either one. Is it a marketing ploy to get you to spend more cash. I need my cash for gas. thanks

Answer 1

If you have stucco use stucco mix,  Dont use mortar its for bricks and tile.  If repair is small you can use a small box of concrete patch, which is great stuff. Trick .. just use a damp sponge to get your desired texture.

Answer 2

Stucco is as much a look, and process as it is what material is used. I have Fiberglass based stucco on a house built in 92, and it holds up well.

   You need to know the ingredients/the formulation/substances in both, but more, you need to consider how it will be applied. Stucco is so often applie with a trowel, and its patterns are rough, created by the movement of the trowel on any surface.

   Your issue however, or rather in your details you do not state any substrate for either substance you mention. To apply either, you'd have to close in the base of the house, then apply mesh, then either stucco or concrete, not strictly MORTAR. I find it sad that so many are so distrusting, but certainly you can research the properties, and particulars of any substances, and find out how to use them.

Just my two "sense"

Answer 3

Mortar is softer - traditional stucco is a harder finish with more portland cement content.  Mortars are used to join block structures, where harder cements would cause spalling (particularly of bricks).  As a surface finish, stucco will last longer, without the errosion that would occur with a mortar mix, and are available in a wider array of colors.

Answer 4

stucco is a type of finish on the outside of a home.....mortar is used to attach tiles to floors and walls