Hello all,
I have just finished the first coat of stucco over fiber blankets for my mattone cupola. I was wondering what different ways people finish the stucco around the door of the oven. I left the chicken wire over the opening to keep the blanket tight, yet tomorrow, with the second coat, I will need to finish and or clean up the edges up front. looking for guidance as to best way to do so.
Looks great!
To finish, I used a pair of nippers (like a diagonal plier cutter but with the jaws at the top) to nip the ends of the wire. You want to overlap the firebrick just enough to seal the insulation underneath, but do not cover the ends of the firebrick. The heat will crack the stucco overlay and could induce a larger crack in the shell.
Next Question:
I had planned to enclose the entire cupola and stucco with a brick surround, intending to use full bricks. The brick oven owner is now considering simply painting the stucco and forgoing the brick. I was thinking the Bricks would form a valuable layer to protect the stucco and all that lives beneath it. How well does the stucco weather the difficult winters of southwestern Michigan, where they are famous for lake-effect snow?
And if painting the stucco, I would be interested in tips, tricks, and products.
Need to prime ?
how soon can one begin curing fires after bricking or painting?
Thanks for your wisdom in advance.
Ramon Marth
The stucco by itself will weather snow and ice just fine. Some oven owners tarp their ovens for the winter season, especially in harsh environments like Michigan.
No need to prime. Paint with two coats of outdoor deck or concrete paint. It will seal the stucco and provide a flexible membrane. It needs to be done periodically; some say as part of annual maintenance, and I’d say whenever it shows signs of wearing away.
Curing fires can start a day after bricking or painting. You do have an issue with the stucco overlapping the firebrick ends (which I flagged up thread), but the first curing fires are not very hot, and by the time you get to full fledged hot fires the stucco and veneer (if using) will be cured enough to take it.
The stucco shell should not ever feel more than warm; the mineral fiber insulation is a substantial thermal break. If it does, most often it can be attributed to solar exposure. The owner should be instructed that if they ever feel actual hot spots on the stucco, they should be in touch with you for a fix.
Hope this helps, Ramon, and looks like you’ve done a great build for your client.
When you speak of the stucco overlapping, the Firebrick ends. I am not sure of what or where you mean. The only Firebrick is on the floor. Do you mean around the mouth of the opening? or where the cupola meets the floor?
thanks in advance
rm
My apologies for that. I failed to note you were building a Cupola, not a Barile.