Our house was built in 1969 and the exterior is covered in this awful crushed glass stuff. Any idea what it's called? We're installing an in-wall air conditioner... how do we cut through it?

Thanks!
Jenn

I've heard of people using crushed glass to make a sort of stucco. Is that what it seems to be? I should think a circular saw would take you through that layer easily enough - then you could use a reciprocating saw (http://www.powertoolservices.com/Images/6509-22.gif) for the rest of it.

Yeah I think glass was used as a "finish" to the stucco. We planned on using a reciprocating saw or a circular saw with a masonry blade, but just wanted to be sure since we'd be cutting through bits of glass, not just stucco.

You should have no problem.. . and yes, drill a starter hole to get the recip. Blade into and you won't need the circ. Saw.

The recip. Saw won't have any problem with the glass.

PS: I did do some googling and could not come up with what that stuff is called.

Our house was built in 1969 and the exterior is covered in this awful crushed glass stuff. Any idea what it's called? We're installing an in-wall air conditioner... how do we cut through it?

Thanks!
Jenn
Hey Jenn,

I own a cement block home that back in the 60's my father had SprayCreted.
SprayCrete is a cement spray coating. This coating has the option of color, ( mine's white) and blowing Mica chips over the surface. Mica reflects light and is easily mistaken for glass. The reason for the chips, ( outside of that they look cool) is that it reflects heat. The Mica Chips and the white finish reflect the sun and heat and that's important in Southwest Florida. That's what I think that you have, (does the glass cut your hands when you rub them over it?) Of course they don't. I have never heard of glass chips used to finish the outside of a house.
When I installed a wall AC I used a Skill Saw with a masonry blade to make a opening. Good luck, Tom