Hello,

We just replaced a window in a standard stucco (i.e. not EIFS).

In order to get the bottom of the window up off of the counter top (the way
the old one was installed) we used a window about 9" shorter and put in a
new sill. This left about 60x10 inches or so of stucco to be patched on the
exterior as well as some narrow strips to the left, right, and top of
window.

The contractor simply stapled chicken wire into the gaps and put on what
will serve as the scratch and base coats and will put on the finish coat
today.

I don't see any particular reason that the new stucco will bond to the old
stucco and even if it did we're only talking about a possible bonding area
of 3/4 in or so. So it seems as if this patch is really only held in by
staples. Further there are areas where the only thing under the stucco is
flashing paper.

Is this the way it's done? I know when laying new stucco there are wall
clips intended to give the stucco something to adhere to that is securely
fastened to the wall. I would have thought he would have nailed some of
those wall clips used for installing new stucco into the space to be
patched. Obviously the chicken wire is intended to serve that purpose but
again it's only held to the studs by staples.

thanks
ml