Cutting through a stucco wall - any tips?

[Jaberwoky]

I'm gonna put some full length narrow windows in a stucco wall either side of a fireplace sometime in the future. Not sure on exactly the best method of cutting.

Any traps I might fall into guys ?

This is a great forum!!

Cheers Jab.

[casacamo]

It depends on the wall construction.
Older stucco houses were plaster on wire reinforcing mesh and
sometimes brickwork which can be cut & removed using a masonry
saw - a smaller type of skil saw with a special cuting blade (more
like a grinder) It is a very noisy & dusty job so make sure you use
ear & eye protection.

You will need to locate where the timber wall studs are to position the
windows. If you are fitting between studs then you probaly do not
need to fit a lintel beam, but the windows will only be 500 mm wide !

If you need a wider opening, then a Lintel beam , supporting studs,
and trimmers all need to be fitted. The lintel size needs to be
calculated using NZ 3604 depending on span, roof weights etc.

The windows need to be full flashed with head flashings, side flashings,
and sills. Windows have been the most common problems areas in the
'leaking building syndrome' recently.

cheers
Casacamo