Why use Stucco Lustro, it's much more expensive than paint?
Stucco Lustro grants the room an exclusive ambience with an extraordinary light reflexion. The material appears as a polished stone with an outstanding ability to acquire a patina.
For what kinds of buildings will Stucco Lustro be a good choice?
Stucco Lustro can be applied with a variety of effects which means that it can be suitable for all types of building - classic and modern.
What kind of surfaces can Stucco Lustro be applied to?
Stucco Lustro can be applied to all kinds of surfaces as long as they are completely stable, dry and without cracks and irregularities. Bricks, plaster, gypsum boards, concrete, painted walls etc. Surfaces made of wood may contract or expand with fluctuating temperatures or humidity. Consequently they are not suitable. Stucco can be used on walls, ceilings, floors and stand alone partitions.
Can you apply Stucco Lustro to plasterboards and similar material?
Yes, provided that the boards are fixed to metal frames, so that they are completely stable, and that joints and ingoing corners are covered with a mesh and spartelt over. For large surfaces it can be a good idea to put up a double layer of boards and stagger the joints.
Can you apply Stucco Lustro to curved surfaces?
Yes, we treat round columns, curved and double curved surfaces. Curved surfaces will appear without joints - contrary to marble and tiles.
What is the colour range?
We produce Stucco Lustro in all hues from soft white over strong colours to deep black. We mix the colour to your preference and fine tune it to the surroundings. Bring a colour sample or a colour code. We can also add e.g. mother of pearl, black sand or crushed marble of a specific colour to obtain texture or a special effect. Come and see samples in our workshop.
Can I use Stucco Lustro in bathrooms?
Yes, for bathrooms Stucco Lustro has a great advantage over marble and ceramic tiles - you get one whole surface with no joints. And you can even cover the ceiling too. Stucco is applied on top of an ordinary wet room membrane, and the surface can be protected by an extra coat of parafin wax. Due to the calcareous water in Denmark attention to wiping up after use is important, so that limescale is avoided. Another option is to use a different material in the shower cubicle.
How do I maintain Stucco Lustro?
Stucco Lustro is a durable surface that needs virtually no maintenance.We finish by applying af coat of natural bee’s wax which protects against dirt. The wax can easily be refreshed after some years. If necessary the surface can be wiped with a dust cloth or a wringed cloth. No cleaning substances should be used. No decalcifiers may be used! - as the material is lime based.
Is Stucco Lustro fragile?
On the contrary, Stucco Lustro is a stone hard, strong surface that lasts for centuries. The surface breathes (is moisture permeable) and should therefore not be exposed to red wine, coffee, oil etc. As with all surfaces, hard objects can cause damage if the wall is hit. We therefore recommend skirting and possibly corner profiles in busy public spaces and in restaurants and other places where cleaning trolleys or the like are used.
Can damage be repaired?
Yes, chips and staining can be remedied. As the surface is applied in one piece while not yet dry reparations cannot in all cases be completely invisible. In a Stucco Lustro with some structure it is easier to make a reparation blend in with the original surface.
What is the material composed of?
We import materials directly from the best manufacturers and developers in Italy. The products are purely natural composed of slaked lime and crushed marble. Various mixing ratios and grain sizes of the pulverised marble makes it possible to obtain variations in the appearance of the surface. Different ekstra materials can be mixed in - like oyster shell, sand of colour, crushed brick, gold leaf.
Are there environment issues related to using Stucco Lustro?
The material, called Marmorino, is a purely natural product. There are no risks involved in staying in rooms treated with it. No hazardous material is emitted, on the contrary Stucco creates af healthy and pleasant indoor climate. Marmorino is alkaline, therefore it prevents mold. When applying marmorino it is important to pay attention to this, as it can sear until it hardens.
I am allergic. How does a Stucco Lustro surface affect my health?
Stucco Lustro grants an extraordinary healthy indoor climate as the product is purely natural and prevents mold. When the marmorino has hardened the indoor climate of the room will be like a dry rock cave.
Can Stucco Lustro be used outdoor?
In Italy Stucco Lustro is often used outdoor on palaces and villas e.g. in Venice and surroundings. In Denmark we do not recommend Stucco Lustro for outdoor surfaces where temperatures may drop to less than -10 degrees.
Can I apply Stucco Lustro myself?
Stucco Lustro is a specialised craft. Solid training and considerable experience is required to obtain a durable and elegant result. We cooperate with leading Italian specialists. Ampio does not recommend it for do-it-yourself.
Is it expensive?
The cost of a Stucco Lustro surface is similar to putting up high end tiles or wall paper. Read more about pricing under the tab Product - or contact us for an estimate for your project.
Can I purchase materials from Ampio?
Ampio imports materials from Italy for our own projects. We do not resell to private customers.
What if I want to remove a Stucco Lustro surface?
You can paint a Stucco Lustro surface without any problem - however, we have never met people who wanted to go back to a traditional wall treatment once they had experienced a well made Stucco Lustro.
Where do the Stucco Lustro material and the plastering technique come from?
There is a long tradition for Stucco Lustro in the Mediterranean area. Evidence of this craft can be traced back as far as to Pompeji at the dawn of our era. The material, marmorino, is composed of lime stone from the Dolomites and crushed marble, a residual from marble quarries in Italy.
What preparatory work does it take?
The surface must be completely stable, without cracks and irregularities. A newly plastered surface must be left to dry for approximately 4 weeks. An old surface must be made to repair and, if necessary, it must be given a full spartleling.