Stucco is a practical and effective way to reimagine the exterior of your home without making significant structural changes. It can also improve curb appeal and is a low-cost option compared to stone and vinyl siding. However, the finish of stucco is incredibly appealing, a nod to the classic style.
Stucco siding is a versatile material found on homes nationwide due to its durability and versatility. As a cement, sand, and water mixture, it remains rigid even in strong winds. Many homeowners prefer stucco over brick siding due to its durability and attractive appearance.
Stucco is the only exterior siding that can improve a building’s ability to withstand an earthquake. It does not have seams, making it a wise choice for residential or commercial properties. However, its brittle nature makes it susceptible to house foundation shifts and may not be the best choice for certain regions.
Stucco is a popular choice for homes in the southwest due to its earthy, textured, and appealing appearance. It is a popular choice for homes with a “styrofoam” base, although it may not be the most cost-effective option.
In conclusion, stucco is a practical and effective way to reimagine the exterior of your home without making significant structural changes. It is a versatile material that can be painted and is highly versatile, making it a popular choice for homes in the southwest.
📹 What’s New In Siding 2022? Hardie’s New Stucco & Modern Exteriors
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Why isn’t stucco used in the North?
Stucco finish is a popular choice in warmer climates like Florida and Arizona, but it’s not suitable for harsh winters. Traditional stucco is applied in three layers and can crack, delaminate, and crumble due to extreme heat and cold. Repairs can be costly and time-consuming, and the work is often visible. Carpenters and builders in these areas typically work with wood, so they typically choose a product they’re comfortable with.
Does stucco add value?
Stucco siding is a versatile, fire-resistant, and moisture-resistant option that enhances the value of a residential property. The financial outlay required to replace damaged stucco is less than that needed to replace other materials, such as wood or vinyl. The average costs were determined through a survey of providers and cost databases at the national and local levels. Stucco is more susceptible to imperfect installation in inclement weather, particularly in cold climates.
Should I avoid stucco?
Stucco siding, a hand-troweled masonry plaster made of cement, water, and sand, is a popular choice for Spanish and Mediterranean architecture. It offers durable protection against the elements and comes in various textures, from pebbled to smooth. However, it is not suitable for regions with high clay soil, which can cause foundations to shift and cause cracks. Even on homes with firm foundations, stucco can develop hairline cracks over time.
Despite its drawbacks, stucco siding is gaining popularity across the country, and homeowners should consider whether they want to re-siding their home in stucco or maintain their existing stucco exterior. It is essential to consider the specific needs and preferences of each property when choosing a stucco siding option.
Is stucco exterior expensive?
Stucco siding is a unique, low-maintenance, and aesthetically pleasing exterior solution for homes. It typically costs $2-4 per square foot for repairs. The cost of installing stucco depends on factors like the home’s exterior square footage and chosen finish. For a 1, 500-square-foot exterior, the total cost can range from $8, 000-18, 000, with a national average of $10, 500. Major cost factors include the amount needed and other important variables. Homeowners typically spend between $9, 500 and $11, 500 for stucco siding installation.
Why is stucco so popular?
Stucco, a popular building material, was popular in ancient cultures due to its ease of creation, versatility, and cost-effectiveness. Its malleability and hardness made it suitable for building and sculpting in hot or arid climates. Today, stucco remains popular due to its expressive nature, resistance to heat, durability, low maintenance, and importance in architectural culture. The abundant availability of lime, sand, and water made it a cost-effective and versatile choice for various construction projects.
Is stucco out of style?
Stucco’s enduring aesthetic appeal and enduring finish make it a durable and lasting choice for contemporary homes, ensuring its continued relevance and stylistic appeal despite the evolution of modern design trends.
Why does stucco have a bad reputation?
Stucco is a low-maintenance exterior finish that has been enhancing the beauty and value of homes for centuries. Made from cement, lime, and sand, stucco is porous and prone to cracking, water retention, paint failure, and mold. Improperly mixed material and installation during temperature extremes can contribute to the material’s failure. The root of most stucco problems is the failure to implement systems necessary to protect it from absorbing moisture.
Incorrect window and door installation is the number one reason for stucco failure. It is crucial to include a layer of water-resistant paper underneath the sill and frame to prevent structural damage and mold. Faulty sealing of electric outlets and vents, like dryer vents and light fixtures, must be carefully installed to prevent moisture from penetrating stucco. Inexperienced or sloppy stucco contractors may not ensure adequate flashing installation to protect the stucco finish from moisture damage and deterioration.
Inadequate deck installation is another issue when adding a deck onto an existing stucco finish. An experienced contractor should know how to use rain screens, ledger board drip-cap flashing, barrier membranes, and other effective water management systems to minimize water damage. Material transition issues can occur when stucco meets stonework, brick, concrete, or siding, allowing moisture penetration and causing cracking.
When applied by a knowledgeable contractor, stucco is a versatile, classic exterior finish that provides years of low-maintenance beauty and durability to your home. Robey Incorporated, a stucco installation contractor with over 30 years of experience in commercial and residential stucco installation and repair services, can help with any project.
What is the most serious problem with exterior stucco?
Cracks in stucco walls can cause water seepage, a serious issue that requires immediate attention. Replacing stucco with an alternative material like siding can prevent this issue. Staining from poorly installed stucco can ruin the home’s appearance, and it is best to protect it from water. Windblown rain can pound stucco from all directions, making it difficult to withstand moisture from any angle.
Mold is another issue that can lead to water infiltration, and stucco is the worst offender. Preventing mold growth is crucial for a homeowner’s health, and improperly installed stucco makes this difficult.
What are the disadvantages of stucco?
Stucco, a porous siding material, absorbs moisture, causing unsightly dark spots and mold growth on homes. This is particularly problematic in Georgia’s humid climate, where mold can grow underneath the stucco. It is essential to maintain the exterior of your home to prevent these issues. Whether to keep, repair, or remove your stucco exterior depends on your specific needs. If you choose to invest in new siding, Keystone Siding and Windows can help with exceptional removal in Greater Atlanta, GA. They are a trusted company for all your stucco needs.
Is stucco better than brick?
Clay brick is a more durable material than stucco, offering a unique blend of durability, aesthetics, and sustainability. It is resistant to rot, termites, and moisture damage, making it a timeless choice for homeowners. Brick homes are built to last for centuries with minimal maintenance, while stucco homes may need more frequent repairs or replacements.
The choice of brick depends on factors such as desired aesthetic, durability requirements, and budget. Clay brick is a classic and versatile option, renowned for its exceptional durability and timeless beauty. Glazed brick over clay brick adds elegance and sophistication to spaces like kitchens and bathrooms, while thin brick offers a lightweight and cost-effective way to achieve the aesthetic appeal of brick without the weight or expense of solid brick walls. Consult a professional to determine the most suitable type of brick for your next project.
How long does stucco last on the outside of a house?
Stucco is a highly durable finish material with a lifespan of 50-80 years, offering the lowest annual maintenance cost compared to other siding materials. Stucco is a natural material composed of aggregate, binder, and water.
📹 Stucco acrylic vs. traditional stucco, cost difference.
Stucco acrylic vs. traditional stucco, cost difference. What is the difference between acrylic stucco and regular stucco? Acrylic …
Would you please do a article on the differences between STUCCO VS PLASTER. The versatility of plaster to be used on both internal and external applications is interesting. What are the advantages and downfalls of each? I live in a cold weather climate. Does this matter? Many thanks for your efforts and articles. ***All good looking and smart men are named Kirk
Thanks for this one. It answer questions I always wondered about. But it also brought a few new ones. Are these acrylic plasters usually used over styrofoam? Or, what looks like styrofoam? And what surface do you prime? Don’t these products come colored already? Or by prime do you mean the blue stuff you put on for better adhesion? Look forward to the article links. Thanks again!
Hi Kirk. I’m working my way through your articles. I’m replacing all my windows in my 1950 Phoenix stucco home. I have a float finish thats been painted many times. In addition to repairing that stucco around 12 windows, there are two walls with heavy vertical cracks below windows and one wall with a badly matched circular patch. I’m certain to recoat the entire house. In talking to contractors, I’m getting mixed information. One guy says to diamond lathe (expaded metal?) the two cracking walls. Is that over kill vs the tape I’ve seen you use? He also told me if I want the cementitious top coat he couldn’t color it, doesn’t work, some thing about float finishes and water? I’ve seen you do a number of float finishes and I’ve not seen you water anything. Did I miss it? And colored acrylic he said was way expensive and would have to be painted anyway in a few years? My understanding is you should not put acrylic over old cementitious because it seals the house up too much and doesn’t let the stucco breath and you get mold issues. Is this true? The other thing is, does the entire house get a new base coat plus color coat or just base coat the new patches and then colored top coat for the entire house? Again ill be going over painted cementitious that is float finished and I’d like to float fishing again either 20 30 or 16 20. FYI this same guy wanted to diamond lathe my 2 planters and stucco them but they don’t have any big moving cracks. Appreciate your insight.
Absolutely spot on about the darker colors being more difficult to work with to achieve a uniform color. Alot of times, if possible, it’s better to lay on the finish mud east to west instead of top to bottom like conventional stucco. Less chance of getting a “joint” and “burning it”..also, if your elbow isn’t hurting when you are laying on Dryvit or BMG or whatever, then you are putting it on too thick
Banks, malls, plaza, big hotel chains always use acrylic stucco. Why is that? Is it because its more expensive or because its superior? And not all smoother finishes needs primer. With 2 inch eps foam board you get an r10 value energy saving. Traditional stucco gets none and hairline cracks are more prominent.. dryvit systems have less room for crack when done by a pro as it has reinforst fiberglass mesh every square inch before final coat. And the old wire lathe get rusted overtime. Fiberglass mesh never rust.. I have full access the all the dryvit litertures on all their application…
This is correct, i just would add that anytime you do very smooth, you always do two coats on the firs you can do a little thicker and green float it, next day you scrape any small aggregate and imperfections then apply very thin coat, and steel trowel in a circular motion and pair of guys per section, this way you don’t have to paint, and il looks very nice.
I used expanded lath over marine grade plywood. I brown coat, water it for a week OFTEN. Color coat and you are done. It has been 12 years and only a few hairline cracks. Nailed that Galvanized lath @ 6″ on center. Fantastic economy and durability. Added a section and did cement board with fiberglass tape on joints, primer and then an elastomeric brush on finish. Still good after 15 years. Main house, marine ply nailed for shear, paper, chicken wire, then scratch, brown and color. @ 1″ thick. Looks to outlast me and my kids. This material looks like it needs to be re engineered.
Hi Kirk, can you make a article explaining the strength difference and longevity difference between acrylic and the sand and cement style, if i’m not mistaken you need quite a bit more base coat and finish going sand and cement.. Meaning more cost and load to the structure. On a side note have you ever used drip tracks or “V” grooves to break up the wall ?
Hi Kirk! I’ve been perusal your articles because I am planning a small desert cottage build in an adobe style. I am looking to make it a white, an slightly crude finish. I have two questions that I would really appreciate your advice on: 1. On the corners, how could I get a more rounded finish versus a blocky, sharp 90 degree angle? Should I just sculpt it or is there a trade secret for this? 2. If I used a cement plaster, could I paint the plaster afterwards instead of adding a dye during the process? Thank you for putting all of this great info out for all of us to learn from!
Hey Kirk and family. I’m looking to do a color coat over my existing stucco. The stucco has glass embedded in. Do I need to use weld-crete because of the glass or am I good to just wet and trowel? It gets down below -30 degrees Celsius in winter as well. Not sure if that makes a difference or not so I thought I’d add that info. You guys are awesome!
G’day Kirk, you are absolutely right about how much of a pain these kinds of finishes are to do on two storey buildings. I had to produce this finish on a 3 story lift shaft about 3 years ago. We are in the southern hemisphere obviously here in Sydney Australia, and the south side of the shaft was relatively easy, however the northern side was very very difficult. Heat from direct sunlight over that height made it almost impossible. My saving grace was the fact we had horizontal control joints on each floor so at least i was only having to concern myself with 10 foot (3 meter) vertical sections rather than the full shaft height. Some may question why bother if its so much more expensive? On my job i use acrylic because i thought it would be a lot easier carrying buckets up a 3 storey lift shaft on my own instead of trying to mix, carry and spread a cement based mix. Also, i think the acrylic is less messy to apply.
How long does each of the types of color finishes (acrylic vs tinted) cement plaster last?If the finishes fade what is a reasonable length of time for paint over the plaster be expected to last? Can you apply acrylic finish over old plaster and do you need to apply plaster weld or prime over old surfaces?