April, 1911 
AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 
THE USE AND CHARM OF STUCCO 
By ALBERT MOYER 
HE history of stuccoes does not fur- 
nish sufficient information and data 
to be of practical value in the manu- 
facture of the present day Portland ce- 
ment stuccoes. There are records standing 
350 years B. C. of stuccoes made from 
vastly different materials than are of eco- 
nomical use at the present time, and we find 
that such plasters were almost invariably 
used in the warm climates where the ac- 
tion of frost would not tend to disintegrate 
the rather poor material*which was then 
available. 
There is every reason to believe that 
originally these stuccoes were intended to 
cover up and protect inferior building stone 
and sunburned straw brick. The archzol- 
ogy of stucco would tend to show that from 
an artistic standpoint this method of deco- 
ration was a development of the wattled 
buildings, which were plastered with clay 
and different muds hardened by being 
baked in the heat of the sun. Therefore, 
in this instance, the use of clay plaster over 
wattled houses was to protect an inferior 
building material. 
To-day, stucco is used for a similar pur- 
pose, and for its pleasing surfaces. It 
would, therefore, seem advisable to recom- 
mend a material which would best serve 
the purpose of protection and artistic 
merit. Stucco or plaster should never be 
used as an imitation of other building ma- 
terial. 
To carry out these ideas we desire to 
recommend only Portland cement stucco 
for exteriors, as this is the only hydraulic 
material which will stand the action of the 
elements. 
From the artistic side we would also 
recommend such surface finish for stucco 
as will cause both natural color and pleas- 
ing texture. It would be well, therefore, 
to expose to view the aggregates used and 
avoid as far as possible exposing the bond- 
ing material, Portland cement. 
There is no artistic reason for allowing 
only the bonding material to be displayed 
to the eye. On very large jobs the surface 
can be cleaned off by means of a sand blast, 
and on smaller work, the outside may be 
cleaned by means of muriatic acid in dilute 
solution, 1 part commercial muriatic acid, 
4 to 5 parts clear water, until each grain of 
sand is exposed. 
Where white aggregates are used the 
surface may be cleaned off with a solution 
of sulphuric acid, 1 part acid, 4 to 5 parts 
clear water. The sulphuric acid leaves a 
white deposit and therefore should not be 
used excepting where the aggregates are 
white. 
Another method is to scrub the surface 
while yet green, say within twenty-four 
hours, with a house scrubbing brush and 
clear water. This is more difficult than the 
others for the reason that if the stucco is 
allowed to remain too long before scrub- 
bing, it will be too hard to remove the coat 
of neat cement from the outside of each 
particle of sand or other aggregates; and 
if scrubbed when it is too soft the surface 
may be damaged and difficult to repair. 
If the character of the available aggre- 
gates will not present a pleasing surface 
when exposed, the following surface treat- 
ment may be used: While the last coat is 
still thoroughly damp, apply a Portland 
cement paint composed of 1 part Portland 
cement, 12 per cent. of the volume of the 
cement of well hydrated lime, pulverized 
form, and 1 part of the volume of the ce- 
ment of fine white sand. Mix with water 
>. 
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SLATES 
This mark is your guarantee 
THE MILLER 
Gas, Electric and 
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impart an air of elegance to every home or public building 
where they areinstalled. They are made in an endless 
variety of exquisite designs and finishes. Every personal 
taste and every style of decoration can be exactly suited. 
The materials used in the MILLER products are the 
very highest grade, whilethe workmanship has never been 
surpassed in this country. 
Special designs executed on contract 
for residences and public buildings 
When buying Gas or Electric Fixtures look forthe MILLER 
trade mark. It guarantees all that is best in this line of goods. 
ORDER FROM YOUR DEALER. He has Mil= 
ler Lamps and Fixtures in stock, or can secure 
them for you. Show him this advertisement, 
so there will be no mistake in the name. 
Write to us for illustrated booklets and catalogs. 
State particularly the kind of lighting in which you are 
interested. 
EDWARD MILLER & CO. 
FACTORY: 
21 Miller Street, Meriden, Conn. 
ESTABLISHED 15844 
Morgan Doors are widely copied by un- 
scrupulous manufacturers. 
tions never have the character or beauty, 
nor do they give the absolute satisfaction, 
as do the genuine 
These imita- 
Every Morgan Door leaving our factory has the 
word “*‘Morgan’”’ stamped on it. If the name is 
not there, the door is not a Morgan Door. 
Shrinking, warping or swelling are impossible 
with Morgan Doors because they are built of sev- 
eral layers of wood with grain running in opposite 
directions. Veneered in all varieties of hardwood. 
Unequaled for service in Residences, Offices, Apart- 
ments, Bungalows or any kind of building. 
Send for our new Portfolio, “The Door 
Beautiful.” Shows large engravings of in- 
teriors of every style of architecture. The 
ideas you get from this book will be worth 
money and satisfaction to you. It explains 
why Morgan Doors are the best doors 
made. A copy will be sent on request. 
Architects:—Descriptive details of Morgan Doors 
may be found in Sweet’s Index. pages 794 and 795. 
Morgan Company, Dept. A Oshkosh, Wis. 
Distributed by Morgan Sash and Door Company, Chicago. 
Morgan Millwork Company, Baltimore, Md. 
Handled by Dealers who do not Substitute. 
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