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