Expansion/control joint for stucco surfaces and related systems and methods

An expansion/control joint for use within at least one of a stucco and plaster wall, the expansion/control joint comprising:

• a first base panel having a first stucco stop wall formed on the first base panel and extending from the first base panel;
• a second base panel having a second stucco stop wall formed on the second base panel and extending from the second base panel, wherein the second stucco stop wall is spaced a distance from the first stucco stop wall, and wherein the first and second base panels are affixed to a backing within the wall, wherein the first and second stucco stop walls extend outwardly from the wall, and wherein at least one layer of at least one of stucco and plaster is positioned over the first and second base panels;
• and
• a single expansion joint connected between the first and second stucco stop walls and extending the spaced distance between the first and second stucco stop walls, wherein a bond breaking tape and quantity of caulk is positioned within the spaced distance exterior of the single expansion joint, wherein an exterior surface of the quantity of caulk is positioned in substantial alignment with an exterior surface of the at least one layer of at least one of stucco and plaster positioned over the first and second base panels.

An expansion/control joint used to separate stucco or plaster material during application of the stucco or plaster material to a wall into sub-portions, and to relieve stress and limit or control cracking in a stucco or plaster wall or surface caused by stucco or plaster shrinkage and thermal movement in the stucco or plaster wall or surface, comprising:

• a first base panel having a front face, a first stucco stop wall formed on the first base panel and extending outwardly above the front face of the first base panel, the first stucco stop wall having a first side and a second side, the first side of the first stucco stop wall having an engaging surface for engaging plaster or stucco material, a second base panel having a front face, a second stucco stop wall formed on the second base panel and extending outwardly above the front face of the second base panel, the second stucco stop wall having a first side and a second side, the first side of the second stucco stop wall having an engaging surface for engaging plaster or stucco material, a single expansion/contraction member extending between the second side of the first stucco stop wall of the first base panel and the second side of the second stucco stop wall of the second base panel for relieving stress and controlling cracks in stucco or plaster surfaces, the expansion/contraction member being flexible to permit movement of the expansion/contraction member responsive to weather induced movement of the stucco or plaster material, the expansion/contraction member comprising a single flexible panel extending between the second sides of the first and second stucco stop walls, the single flexible panel forming in conjunction with the second sides of the first and second stucco stop walls a flexible slot extending along and between the second sides of the first and second stucco stop walls which flexes to accommodate expansion and contraction of the stucco or plaster material, a caulk receiving area formed between the second sides of the first and second stucco stop walls and above the upper panel of the expansion/contraction member for receiving caulk, the upper panel of the expansion/contraction member having an upper end portion having an outer surface, and bond-breaking tape mounted on the outer surface of the upper end portion of the upper panel of the expansion/contraction member the first stucco stop wall having an upper end portion and a flange formed in its upper end portion to assist in containing stucco or plaster material, the flange extending laterally away from the first stucco stop wall and over the first base panel, and the flange of the first stucco stop wall having an upper outer surface, the second stucco stop wall having an upper end portion and a flange formed in its upper end portion to assist in containing stucco or plaster material, the flange extending laterally away from the second stucco stop wall and over the second base panel, and the flange of the second stucco stop wall having an upper outer surface, and further including a strip of removable tape applied to the upper outer surface of the flange of the first stucco stop wall and to the upper outer surface of the flange of the second stucco stop wall and extending over the channel between the first and second stucco stop walls such that the removable tape covers the channel between the first and second stucco stop walls to prevent dirt, stucco, plaster, and the like from entering the channel during installation of the stucco or plaster material.