I live in a neighborhood of Mediterranean-style homes. According to our homeowners association, all buildings on lots must be of this style. I have a new storage shed that I need to alter to meet these HOA standards. I plan to use WonderBoard to frame it out and stucco as the finish with paint to match the house. It will be on a concrete base against a 6′ rock wall on the back side. I’m looking for suggestions as to how to attach the Wonderboard to the shed, and problems to anticipate. Thanks.
Our Answer
The foremost thing to keep in mind: If you’re going to cover your shed with stucco, the shed needs to be dimensionally stable. You can’t have movement in the walls, because the stucco will crack and fall off. Preventing this starts at the foundation – you need a good stone base and concrete footings so when the job’s complete, the shed is rock solid.
Second, I’d recommend against using the WonderBoard for the same reason. This product is not designed to to be used as sheathing. For the best results, use plywood, cover the surface with tar paper and wire mesh, and then stucco it. If those walls are not solid, the stucco will crack, which will make you, your HOA and your neighbors unhappy! Good luck!
Ah, the joys of homeowners associations! While they do a great job of maintaining neighborhood aesthetics and consistency, they can also be a bit of a headache when it comes to personal projects like this. I can imagine that altering your storage shed to fit the Mediterranean-style guidelines might feel a bit excessive, especially for something that’s usually pretty utilitarian.
It’s definitely an extra step you weren’t planning for, but if you approach it with an open mind (and maybe a little bit of creativity!), you might be able to create a storage solution that fits the neighborhood’s aesthetic while still being functional for your needs. Best of luck with the project—let us know how it turns out!