Scratch Coat
The first layer of traditional stucco application, scored with horizontal lines to provide a mechanical bond for the next coat.
Why It Matters for Homeowners
Why it matters: the scratch coat is what the rest of the stucco system grips onto. If the horizontal scoring is too shallow, or the coat does not cure long enough before the brown coat goes over it, the entire wall can fail years later by delaminating in sheets. Curing time between coats is the variable most often cut on speed-driven jobs, and it is the single most common cause of long-term stucco failure.
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