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Fall Exclusive: Conundrums in Stucco Codes and Standards

August 12, 2025

Conundrums in Stucco Codes and Standards

 

ESSENTIALS OF THE BUILDING
CODE: 2021 IBC
For this paper, references to the building code
refer to the 2021 International Building Code1
(IBC), the model building code generally
adopted and enforced in many states in the US.
The building code both broadly and specifically
establishes the minimum requirements for
providing a reasonable level of safety, health,
and general welfare for building construction.
It requires a reasonable level of life safety and
property protection from hazards such as fire,
by providing a reasonable level of safety to fire
fighters and emergency responders during
emergency operations.2 Building codes rely on
the expertise of industry professionals expressed
in code-adopted reference standards which are
developed by specialized industry professionals
through consensus organizations such as ASTM,
ANSI, and NFPA.
Reference standards for stucco are developed
following the consensus process, by industry
stakeholders consisting mostly of product
and material manufacturers, designers, and
stucco trade partners. The benefits of building
code—adopted reference standards to the
construction industry are vast. They include
improvements to economic, training and
expertise, material and product uniformity,
inspection, and craftsmanship. In other words,
reference standards benefit construction
quality, establish the minimum expectations
of building construction stakeholders, and
support the purpose of the building code as
previously described.
The IBC is the generic model code
promulgated by the International Code Council
which is largely adopted and enforced by
most local building construction regulatory
jurisdictions in the US and currently reaches
into a few international jurisdictions such as
for Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Where
adopted, the IBC is often locally revised to
best accommodate local conditions for local
enforcement. The building construction
community including building code officials,
designers, stucco trade partners, and
Online exclusive
Conundrums in Stucco Codes
and Standards
By Jeffrey Bowlsby, Architect; and
Thomas Miller, PE, SI
This paper was originally presented at the 2024
IIBEC International Convention and Trade Show.
manufacturers are required by various laws
and regulations to comply with building code
minimum requirements, which are law.
Regarding our topic of conundrums in stucco
codes and standards, it needs to be clearly stated
and understood that not all stucco is the same.
Stucco exterior-wall cladding is an assembly of
many different materials and products installed
and applied in different ways to achieve the
intended quality and performance which varies
as specified, from project to project. The IBC in
Chapter 253 describes several specific stucco
cladding requirements such as for approved
substrates including gypsum sheathing over
framing and cementitious “solid” bases. Over
framed substrates a water-resistive barrier
is required under lath and cement plaster to
function as a drainage plane, whereas cement
plaster direct applied to solid bases function
as barrier walls due to their mass and ability
to accommodate a minimum amount of water
penetration. The IBC describes additional
specific requirements such as for weep screeds
at the drainage plane, and the most recent
requirements for drainage layers under cement
plaster in wetter climates and for continuous
insulation under certain stucco claddings.
As required in the IBC, stucco claddings for
building exteriors are required to be 1) portland
cement-based plaster (not lime-based or any
other type of plaster), and 2) that cement plaster
be applied over an approved, mechanically
fastened lath or directly bonded to approved
cementitious solid bases. Most significantly,
the IBC requires that portland cement-based
plaster for building exteriors comply with the
prescriptive requirements of ASTM reference
standards: C926 for Plastering Application,
Interface articles may cite trade, brand,
or product names to specify or describe
adequately materials, experimental
procedures, and/or equipment. In no
case does such identification imply
recommendation or endorsement by
the International Institute of Building
Enclosure Consultants (IIBEC).
©2025 International Institute of Building Enclosure 10 • IIBEC Interface Consultants (IIBEC) Fall 2025
C1063 for Lathing Installation, and C1861
for Lathing Accessories, and additionally the
specified lathing and product standards and
material standards such as for C150 portland
cement. The IBC-adopted ASTM reference
standards describe the minimum requirements
for stucco cladding as individual components
and of the completed, functional assembly.
As with stucco, architectural building
designs and construction projects are not
always the same, and designers and stucco
trade partners occasionally seek more than the
prescriptive solutions in the IBC and reference
standards to comply with the building code
requirements. The local building official is
ultimately responsible for local building code
enforcement. Approval from building officials
for using atypical materials, products, and
stucco cladding systems typically follows the
routine requirements, a review and approval
process similar, if not identical, to that required
by the IBC 104.114 for Alternatives. This process
is routine for using certain proprietary materials
and systems with a code evaluation report
and known by the building official and design
professionals, but sometimes stucco trade
partners are not aware of the requirements or
approval process for Alternatives. Receiving
approval for Alternatives requires building
official evaluation of the proposed Alternative
for quality, strength, effectiveness, fire
resistance, durability, and safety. The evaluation
is based on the approval of research reports
from approved sources and testing by
approved agencies.

 

ESSENTIALS OF THE ASTM
STUCCO STANDARDS—
C926, C1063, C1861

 

Where the IBC text states a limited number
of actual technical requirements for stucco
claddings, it most significantly adopts by
reference and requires building official
enforcement of the minimum requirements
contained in the adopted reference standards
for stucco claddings which are much more
comprehensive. The primary reference
standards for stucco are ASTM 9265 and
C1063,6 and the IBC building code adoption
requirements for reference standards are
detailed in ICC Reference Standards Guide7 and
ICC Council Policy document CP #28-05 Code
Development (CP28).8 Among the basic and
essential requirements for the IBC building code
codified reference standards to be enforceable,
the requirements of reference standards must
be 1) stated in mandatory language (to establish
enforceability), and 2) shall not state that its
provisions govern whenever the referenced
standard is in conflict with the requirements of
the referencing code (to establish a hierarchy
of authority).
Each of these codified reference standards
includes by internal reference, the requirements
of second-tier reference standards such as ASTM
C847, C933, and C1032 for lathing products,
and C1861 for lathing accessories and fasteners.9
Second-tier reference standards are equally
codified minimum building code requirements
and are enforceable by building officials.
ASTM coordinates the development of
industry reference standards categorized as
Classification, Guide, Practice, Specification,
Terminology, and Test Method. Note that
the primary ASTM stucco standards are
Specifications. ASTM Specification standards
are developed following ASTM requirements
described in the document Form and Style
of ASTM Standards (Form and Style).10 Form
and Style requires that Specifications be “an
explicit set of requirements to be satisfied
by a material, product, system, or service.”
Enforceable, codified requirements are stated
in explicit, mandatory language, not vague,
ambiguous language which is subject to
multiple interpretations. Mandatory language
requirements use the term “shall” and not
“should” or “may.” All terms shall be defined
when they deviate from an ordinary accepted
meaning or a dictionary definition.
ASTM reference standard Specifications for
stucco claddings follow a consistent organization
for ease of use: Scope, Referenced Documents,
Terminology, Delivery and Storage of Materials,
Materials, Substrate Requirements, Installation
(or Application) Requirements, Keywords, and
optionally an Annex and Appendix.
An interesting aspect of ASTM stucco
standards, as Specifications, is a conundrum
which is frequently misunderstood in their scope,
which is stated in Section 1.1 of each standard.
For example, this is from ASTM C1063, but other
stucco Specifications are similar:
1.1 This specification covers the minimum
technical requirements for lathing and
furring for the application of exterior
and interior portland cement-based
plaster, as in Specifications C841 or
C926. These requirements do not
by default define a unit of work or
assign responsibility for contractual
purposes, which is the purview of a
contract or contracts made between
contracting entities.
The scope of the ASTM stucco Specification
describes the requirements for stucco cladding
as a system. The scope is not solely a scope of
work defining the work required of a specific
craftsperson unless the general contractor
designates and coordinates the work of all
of the stucco Specification requirements to
a specific trade partner. For example, ASTM
stucco Specifications include requirements for
gapping wood-based sheathing panel edges as
substrates for stucco, which is more appropriately
designated to the carpentry trade which installs
the panels. Likewise, requirements for framing
member deflections are an engineering
design responsibility. The sealant application
requirements specified in C926 may best be
performed by a sealant trade partner. Other
conundrums as far as assigning contractual
responsibilities include requirements such as
wood-based framing installation tolerances,
substrate moisture content verification, and
trade coordination for utilities and flashings.
These requirements specified in ASTM stucco
standards are for the general contractor in charge
of coordinating and allocating the work amongst
various trade partners to define, determine,
and coordinate. Even ASTM stucco standards
whose titles begin with “Installation of” or
“Application of” are much more than merely
construction how-to requirements for sole use
by craftspeople. ASTM stucco standards state
requirements for materials and products by
manufacturers, for stucco designers, which are
relied upon by inspectors, which collectively
determine the requirements and expectations
for quality.
Content in the ASTM stucco standards
Annex and Appendix sections has proven
to be problematic in the industry due to the
use of conflicting terminology that causes
misinterpretations and misapplications.
Fundamentally, ASTM requires that Annex
information be stated in mandatory language
and contain mandatory, enforceable
requirements. Form and Style requires Annexes
to be subtitled Mandatory Information and
defines Annex information as “any detailed
information such as that an apparatus or material
that is a mandatory part of the specification;
but too lengthy for inclusion in the main text.”
Further, CP28 states that “mandatory language
is applicable to the standard or the portion of a
standard that is intended to be enforced.”
To illustrate a few conundrums, please review
the ASTM C926 Annex, subtitled Mandatory
Information. Conflict and disagreements
arise around the use of the sections titled
“Information” (not “Requirements”) and
“A2. Design Considerations” (again, not
“Requirements”). Consider that these titles are
mere section titles and not technical content.
ASTM C926 Annex technical content includes
Fall 2025 IIBEC Interface • 11
requirements for conditions such as the fire
resistance of cement-plastered assemblies;
substrate requirements for solid bases to
receive cement plaster; slope requirements to
prevent water, snow, or ice from accumulating;
coordination of flashings; the sealing of
cement-plaster panel edges to prevent the
entry of water; drainage provisions behind
cement plaster; requirements for ornamental
features; and much more. Clearly, the technical
content stated in mandatory language of the
conditions addressed in C926 are enforceable
requirements in spite of their unfortunate
section titles. Be assured that ASTM committee
C11 overseeing ASTM stucco standards is in the
process of rectifying these conundrums to state
requirements in clear, unambiguous, explicit
language, including their titles.
In contrast, ASTM C926 Appendix information
is stated in non-mandatory language. Its
information is not enforceable. Form and Style
requires Appendix information to be subtitled
“Nonmandatory Information,” to which the
ASTM C926 Appendix conforms. CP28 further
clarifies that information in the Appendix
are not enforceable requirements as long as
they are not stated in mandatory language
and “clearly and conspicuously identified as
not being a mandatory part of the standard.”
The ASTM C926 Appendix includes technical
content such as optional finish-coat texture
descriptions, optional fiber additive information,
and guidance for critical lighting evaluation,
which are informational but are not enforceable
requirements.
Other conflicts and division within the stucco
industry are not yet addressed by the building
code or its reference standards. Examples of
some of these issues are driven by differences in
climate, regional practice, installer preference,
or to some extent an interest in minimizing
costs. Examples include requirements for
minimum redundancies such as sealant around
windows/ doors to “prevent the entry of water.”
Stucco cladding by itself is not waterproof, as
explicitly stated in ASTM C926 Annex A2.1.1, as
some amount of bulk water gets through stucco
cracks and around stucco panel edges at joints
and openings, such as windows, doors, and
penetrations.
The reality for stucco claddings is that
in all climates, including arid climates,
where stucco cladding is used, wind-driven
rain occurs if not frequently, then at least
sporadically. The minimum requirements
for a vapor-permeable water-resistive barrier
behind stucco, a dry-lapped membrane
with countless lath fastener penetrations
remains the minimum requirement for stucco
claddings intended to protect water-sensitive
substrates and assemblies. Preventing bulk
water from penetrating around the exposed
ends and edges of cement-plaster panels of
stucco cladding with sealant joints as required
in ASTM C926 Annex A2.1.3 is a mandatory
requirement too often overlooked, as it
benefits the water management function of
the stucco-clad drainage plane. Arguments to
omit sealant “to prevent the entry of water” in
dry climates are ill-founded—as proof, consider
recent weather extremes throughout the US,
including in arid climates. Death, taxes, and
wind-driven rain are unavoidable wherever one
may reside.
Inexplicitly worded text in ASTM C926
continues to cause industry conflict. Challenges
to achieving consensus include a host of reasons
such as differences in regional preferences and
practices, climatic variations, fear of litigation,
and other influences. ASTM Committee C11,
responsible for developing ASTM stucco
standards, conforms to a rigorous process to
achieve consensus in the development of stucco
industry standards that are codified in our
building code. The following are some example
passages that Committee C11 continues to
attempt to resolve:
ASTM C926 at 7.3.4: “Separation shall
be provided where plaster abuts dissimilar
construction materials or openings.” The
definition of “dissimilar construction materials”
is subject to various interpretations. Is a casing
bead a dissimilar material to the plaster, or is it
part of the plaster assembly?
ASTM C926 at A1.5.2: “Lathing accessories
shall be installed prior to the application of
plaster; therefore, their type, location, ground
dimension, and orientation shall be included
in the contract documents.” What does
“orientation” mean? Some think of orientation
in terms of vertical and horizontal, while others
consider orientation to be the layering of a
construction assembly.
ASTM C926 at A2.1.1: “Sufficient slope on
faces of plastered surfaces shall be provided to
prevent water, snow, or ice from accumulating
or standing.” What is sufficient slope? For sheet
metal, it could be as little as simple positive
slope. For an articulated textured cement-plaster
surface, a steeper slope is needed, but how much
steeper? For example, proprietary acrylic-finish
coatings require a 6:12 minimum pitch.
ASTM C1063 at 7.10.1.5: “Lath shall not
be continuous through control joints, but
shall be stopped and tied at each side.” This
oft-quoted requirement is probably the most
ignored and unenforced requirement in the
stucco industry, and yet control joints with
discontinuous lath, where effectively used, are
known to reduce stucco cracking by 50%.11,12
The text is inadequate by not explicitly stating
all requirements for installing control-joint
lathing accessories where the edges of
discontinuous lath must be fastened to
framing members to prevent cement-plaster
panel- edge curling—the framing and
attachment is rarely detailed.
ASTM C1063 at 7.11.7: “Casing Bead—Install
a casing bead lathing accessory or other suitable
means, at locations to separate cement plaster
from dissimilar materials, penetrating elements,
load bearing members and to avoid transfer
of structural loads.” Exactly what does “other
suitable means” describe? Some opine that
separation refers to the cement plaster shrinking
away from windows and doors creating the
separation, but that narrow gap allows bulk water
entry behind the hardened stucco cladding,
and the gap is too narrow to be effectively
sealed against the “entry of water” as required
elsewhere in ASTM C926.
Another point—when the requirements of the
building code and ASTM reference standards
conflict, which governs? This is an easy one,
and it is very clear. The IBC building code states
at 102.4.1: “Where conflicts occur between
provisions of this code and referenced codes
and standards, the provisions of this code
shall apply.”
ASTM C926—THE EOS CLAUSES
As previously established, ASTM C926 and
C1063 are the specifications prescribed by the
code for the installation of cement-based plaster.
According to the code, C926 and C1063 establish
the minimum requirements.
While ASTM C1063 generally addresses
specifications for the installation of lathing and
furring to receive cement-based plaster, and
ASTM C926 generally addresses specifications
for the application of cement-based plaster,
ASTM C926 does include some specifications
regarding the installation of lathing accessories
and fasteners, including:
• 6.1 Metal plaster bases, lathing accessories,
furring accessories and fasteners used
to receive plaster shall be installed in
conformance with Specification C1063, except
as otherwise specified.
• A1.5.1 Metal plaster bases, backing,
attachment, and lathing accessories to receive
plaster shall be examined to determine if
the applicable requirements of Specification
C1063 have been met unless otherwise
required by the contract specifications.
Additionally, ASTM C1063 includes the
following:
12 • IIBEC Interface Fall 2025
• 7.10.1.3 Lath shall be installed with the long
dimension at right angles to the framing
members, unless otherwise specified.
It should be noted that the term “specifier”
is also used within ASTM C926, but it is not
explicitly defined within the standard.
The phrase “except as otherwise specified”
and similar wording within ASTM C926 and
C1063 have been misinterpreted and misapplied
by some who are specifying conditions that do
not comply with C1063.
One part of their argument is that the “specifier,”
in their view, has the right to provide alternative
installation materials or methods as they see fit,
without the review and approval of the building
official or the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ).
Another part of their argument includes
the opinion that ASTM C926 and C1063 are
“application standards,” not “design standards,”
and thus the “except as otherwise specified”
clauses were added to allow the “specifier” to
make those substitutions.
This statement is simply not true, as ASTM
C926 includes a “Mandatory” section titled
“Design Considerations,” which includes
requirements for the designer.
An additional factor in their argument is the
opinion that different regions and climates
require different installation methods, which
they say are not factored into the “international”
codes and standards, and therefore they must be
specified on a case-by-case basis.
Some of the “alternative methods” we have
seen specified and/or installed include but are
not limited to:
• Omission of control joints
• Excessive distance/area between control joints
• Omission of casing beads and/ or sealant at
windows, doors, and other wall openings
• Installation of window frames with integral
stucco keys without perimeter sealant
• Omission of sealant at lathing accessory joint
splices/ intersections/transitions
• Installation of weep/drip screeds over the
water-resistive barrier (not lapping the
water-resistive barrier over the weep screed
attachment flange)
• Omission of weep/drip screeds where
horizontal and vertical surfaces intersect
• Omission of foundation weep screeds when
wood-framed construction is over solid-base
construction
• Installation of lath continuous through control
joints
• Metal lath not installed backing on backing
and metal on metal
• Fastening down of lath laps between framing
members rather than wire-tying
• Installation of “face barrier” systems where
control joints and weep/drip screeds are
eliminated altogether
This misinterpretation or misapplication of
the “except as otherwise specified” clauses has
caused or contributed to property damage,
such as water intrusion, structural wood
framing member decay, microbial growth, etc.,
in some cases creating dangerous or unsafe
conditions.
“EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE
SPECIFIED” VS. THE CODE
The code makes the following clear:
• Any alternative material, design, or method
of construction shall comply with the intent of
the provisions of the code.
• The material, method, or work offered shall be
not less than the equivalent of that prescribed
in the code in quality, strength, effectiveness,
fire resistance, durability, and safety.
• Any alternative material, design, or method
of construction needs to be approved by the
building official or the AHJ.
This has been further affirmed by the Building
Officials Association of Florida (BOAF) Informal
Interpretation Report No. 8088,13 in which the
following question is posed: “Does the ‘unless
otherwise specified’ in C926 and C1063 allow a
designer to specify something in their plans that
is less than the equivalent of that prescriptively
prescribed in the code or code-referenced
standards in quality, strength, effectiveness, fire
resistance, durability and safety?”
The BOAF’s response: “No, an alternate
method or material must be approved by
the building official and must be equal to or
better than specified in the code or standard”
(emphasis added).
The phrase “except as otherwise specified”
in ASTM C926 has been problematic from a
code-enforcement perspective, in that it is vague
and ambiguous and does not include explicit
language.
In fact, this ambiguity is in violation of CP28.
The ICC Reference Standards Guide, which
provides guidance with regard to CP28, states:
“A standard or portions of a standard
intended to be enforced shall be
written in mandatory language … The
standard must be presented so that the
application and the intent are clear to
all readers. The use of recommendations,
advisory comments, and permissive,
non-mandatory terms fails to provide
sufficient, specifically enforceable
direction to all users. A potential result
is non-uniform interpretation or
misapplication of the requirements”
(emphasis added).
Criteria for the “specifier” are not provided
in the ASTM C926 and ASTM C1063 standards.
Nothing stops any party in the design or
construction process from declaring himself or
herself a “specifier” and providing specifications
or installation which is not in accordance with
the ASTM standards. This ambiguity has allowed
for those with a potential conflict of interest to
design or construct a project in a manner that
suits their interests more than those of the
eventual building owner.
We have also seen the “except as otherwise
specified” clauses employed as an excuse when
the designer or builder gets caught not following
the ASTM standards.
The code states: “102.5 Partial invalidity. In
the event that any part or provision of this code is
held to be illegal or void, this shall not have the
effect of making void or illegal any of the other
parts or provisions.”14
The building official or AHJ should consider
that the “except as otherwise specified”
clauses satisfy the requirements of this “partial
invalidity” code section, but they shall not have
the effect of making void or illegal any of the
other parts or provisions of the code or reference
standards, including ASTM C926, C1063, or
lower-tier standards they reference.
At the very least, the “specifier” does not have
the authority to specify anything other than
full compliance with the code or to override the
building official’s or AHJ’s authority and duty to
enforce the code requirements, including those
in ASTM C926 and C1063.
SUMMARY OF CONCLUSIONS
AND RECOMMENDATIONS
As long as the “except as otherwise specified”
clauses exist in ASTM C926 and C1063, there will
be misinterpretation and misapplication of the
standards.
To combat this, industry professionals and
building officials or AHJs need to become
informed and make some changes in
their approach.
Building officials and AHJs should strive
towards thoroughly understanding and
enforcing the code for stucco cladding.
Design professionals should strive towards
creating complete, consistent, and clear
construction documents for the project. They
should either become familiar with stucco
cladding and its components or they should
retain a specialist advisor who can advise them
in their design of the stucco cladding and its
components. Additionally, design professionals
Fall 2025 IIBEC Interface • 13
Figure 1. Example of damage resulting, at least in part, from fasteners
installed between framing members , violating ASTM C1063 7.9.1,
7.10.2.2.
Figure 2. Example of damage resulting, at least in part, from lath not
installed backing on backing and metal on metal , violating ASTM
C1063 7.9.3.
Figure 3. Example of damage resulting, at least in part, from the
fastening down of the control joint accessory, violating ASTM C1063
7.10.1.5.
Figure 4. Example of damage resulting, at least in part, from improper
separation between window and stucco, violating ASTM C1063 7.11.7
and ASTM C926 7.3.4, A2.1.2, A2.1.3.
Figure 5. Example of damage resulting, at least in part, from improper
separation between window and stucco, violating ASTM C1063 7.11.7
and ASTM C926 7.3.4, A2.1.2, A2.1.3.
Figure 6. Example of damage resulting, at least in part, from a missing
weep accessory at the horizontal-to-vertical intersection, violating ASTM
C926 A2.2.2.
14 • IIBEC Interface Fall 2025
shall obtain approval from the building official
or AHJ for any alternative materials or methods
they intend to use in their design.
Stucco contractors should strive toward
understanding the codes and referenced
standards, while recognizing that they are only
minimum requirements. They should work
closely with design professionals and code
enforcement to benefit the project.
If construction documents are not clear,
stucco installers should require clarity from
the designer.
Ultimately, any alternative material, design,
or method of construction shall be equal to or
better than specified in the code or standards,
and it shall specifically be reviewed and
approved by the building official or AHJ.
REFERENCES
1. International Code Council Inc. 2021 International
Building Code. Illinois: ICC Publications, 2020.
2. International Code Council Inc. “Chapter 1: Scope
and Administration: 101.3.” In 2021 International
Building Code, 1-1. Illinois: ICC Publications, 2020.
3. International Code Council Inc. “Chapter 25:
Gypsum Board, Gypsum Panel Products and
Plaster.” In 2021 International Building Code,
25–1 — 25–8. Illinois: ICC Publications, 2020.
4. International Code Council Inc. “Chapter 1:
Scope and Administration: 104.11.” In 2021
International Building Code, 1–3 — 1–4. Illinois: ICC
Publications, 2020.
5. ASTM International. ASTM C926-18b Standard
Specification for Application of Portland Cement-
Based Plaster. Pennsylvania: ASTM International,
2018. For referenced ASTM documents, visit the
ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM
Customer Service at service@astm.org.
6. ASTM International. ASTM C1063-18b Standard
Specification for Installation of Lathing and Furring to
Receive Interior and Exterior Portland Cement-Based
Plaster. Pennsylvania: ASTM International, 2018.
7. ICC Industry Standards Committee. ICC Reference
Standards Guide. Illinois: ICC Publications, 2020.
Available online at https://www.iccsafe.org/wp-content/
uploads/IAC_Ref-Stds-Guide_10_19_20.pdf.
8. International Code Council Inc. Council Policy
Document CP#28-05 Code Development. Illinois:
ICC Publications, 2005 rev. 2022. Available online
at https:// www.iccsafe.org/wp-content/uploads/
CP28-05.pdf.
9. ASTM International. ASTM C1861-18 Standard
Specification for Lathing and Furring Accessories,
and Fasteners, for Interior and Exterior Portland
Cement- Based Plaster. Pennsylvania: ASTM
International, 2018.
10. ASTM International. Form and Style of ASTM
Standards. Pennsylvania: ASTM International,
2020.
11. Bowlsby, Jeff. “Scratching the Surface with Stucco
Control Joints.” The Construction Specifier, April
2009.
12. Bowlsby, Jeff. “StuccoMetrics: Stucco Jointing—
The Why, When, Where, and How.” Lecture
presented virtually at the IIBEC 2020 Virtual
Convention and Trade Show, San Francisco, CA,
June 13, 2020.
13. Building Officials Association of Florida. Informal
Interpretation Report No. 8088. Florida: Building
Officials Association of Florida, 2018.
14. International Code Council Inc. “Chapter 1: Scope
and Administration: 102.5.” In 2021 International
Building Code, 1-2. Illinois: ICC Publications,
2020.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Jeff Bowlsby,
Architect is a
licensed California
and Nevada
architect and stucco
consultant, with
Simpson Gumpertz
& Heger based in
Northern California.
He specializes in
exterior wall and
stucco assembly
consultations to
architects, contractors,
developers,
stucco contractors and property owners. His
nationwide practice focuses on the design of
new building construction and rehabilitation
projects, and forensic evaluations. Jeff has
chaired or co-chaired several ASTM stucco
committees including ASTM C1063 and ASTM
C1861. Jeff has authored many peer-reviewed
stucco-related technical articles published in
national industry professional journals and is
the author of the stucco industry information
resource StuccoMetrics.com.
Thomas Miller, PE,
SI graduated from
the Florida Institute
of Technology in
1994 with a BS in
Civil Engineering.
He is co-owner of
Structural Engineering
and Inspections Inc.
(SEI). Mr. Miller is a
licensed Professional
Engineer and
Structural Engineer*
in FL*, AL*, CO, GA,
NC, NE, OK*, SC,
TX, and UT. He is a voting member of the
Code Referenced Standards for Stucco. His
engineering experience includes building
design / inspections and forensic investigation /
repair specification. He has testified in State and
Federal Courts as well as Arbitration.
Please address reader comments to
chamaker@iibec.org, including
“Letter to Editor” in the subject line, or
IIBEC, IIBEC Interface,
434 Fayetteville St., Suite 2400,
Raleigh, NC 27601.
THOMAS MILLER,
PE, SI
Structural Engineering
and Inspections, Lutz,
Florida
JEFF BOWLSBY,
ARCHITECT, STUCCO
CONSULTANT
Simpson Gumpertz &
Heger, San Francisco,
California
Fall 2025 IIBEC Interface • 15