8 Reasons Why Stucco Painting Is a Good Idea

Stucco walls exterior can be a beautiful design element for any home, but they require regular maintenance to preserve their beauty. One of the most important aspects of stucco maintenance is repainting. 

While some people may be hesitant to paint stucco walls, it can actually be a great idea for several reasons. In this blog post, we will explore eight reasons why stucco painting is a good idea and why it can be a crucial step in maintaining the exterior of your home. So, let's dive in!

What Is Stucco?

Stucco is a popular texture coating used in homes and buildings to cover interior and exterior walls. It is a mixture of cement, sand, and water that is applied in layers to create a hard, durable exterior. 

Stucco walls exterior have been praised for their toughness, resistance to cracking and water damage, and energy-efficient properties. It also serves as a decorative finish, available in a variety of colors and textures. When maintained properly, stucco walls can last for decades

8 Benefits of Painting Stucco Exterior

#1 Improves the Look of Your Home

Painting stucco exterior can improve the overall look of your home. If the original stucco house colors are faded, chipped or outdated, painting them can give a facelift that makes them look brand new. With a fresh coat of paint, you can give your home a modern and updated appearance that can increase your home’s value.

#2 Keeps Moisture at Bay

Stucco on house can help prevent moisture from penetrating the surface, which is essential for stucco exteriors. Unpainted stucco can be porous, and when it is left exposed to moisture, it can cause damage, including mold growth and structural damage. Painting over stucco with high-quality paint provides an added layer of protection that helps keep moisture at bay, ensuring the longevity of your paint and stucco.

#3 So Many Colors to Choose From

One advantage of stucco walls is the sheer number of color options available. Whether you want a bold statement or a subtle, inviting hue, you can find an ideal fit for your house. Paint stucco house can give your home a unique look that stands out from other homes in your neighborhood.

#4 Protects from Sunlight and UV Rays

Painting on stucco can protect your home from the sunlight and UV rays. Constant exposure to sunlight can cause stucco exteriors to fade, discolor, and crack eventually. With high-quality paint, you can protect the stucco walls from the harmful effects of UV rays and sunlight.

#5 Protects Against Stains

Stucco walls can stain quickly, making them very difficult to clean. Painting over stucco with premium-quality stain-resistant paint can help protect stucco walls from stains and keep them looking spotless. This can reduce the need for frequent cleaning, saving you time and money.

#6 Fills and Repairs Cracks

Stucco exteriors are bound to develop cracks over time due to natural wear and tear or extreme weather conditions. Stucco repainting with Elastomeric paint can fill and repair small cracks so that they do not become larger and more severe.

#7 Improves Your Home's Curb Appeal

Painting stucco exterior walls can significantly improve your home's curb appeal. When passersby see the freshly painted stucco, their eyes will focus on the appearance of your home. This leads to a visually appealing home that stands out from other homes in your neighborhood.

#8 Offers Better Insulation

Painting stucco exterior presents an opportunity to improve the insulating properties of your home. Your stucco walls protect your home from outside temperatures, and the right paint can help enhance this by providing better insulation against the elements.

Cons of Painting Stucco

Not Suitable for Wet Environments

One of the primary cons of painting stucco is that it is not suitable for wet environments. Exterior stucco paint colors may appear vibrant initially but get damaged due to excessive moisture over time, leading to peeling and an unsightly appearance. This necessitates utilizing water-resistant exterior stucco paint for wet locations.

Greater Repair Costs

Repairs to stucco walls can be costly, especially if they require fixing cracks or damage to your stucco home colors. Painting the walls can also increase the expense, particularly if repairs are necessary before any paint or priming. Exterior stucco paint may also require retouching more frequently, enhancing the overall maintenance expenditure.

Requires Special Primers

When painting on stucco, special primers may be required, depending on the selected exterior stucco colors. The uneven surface texture of stucco could make normal primers less effective, and stucco repair may need to be performed before painting or priming.

Before painting a stucco house, the old paint must be first stripped off and this can be costly. In addition, stucco walls require copious prep work and special primers must be applied to a stucco wall before the painting process can begin.

The Wait Before Stucco Walls Can Be Painted

A significant drawback of painting stucco walls is waiting for the stucco to cure before painting. It typically takes around 30 days or longer for the stucco to cure completely before the application of exterior stucco paint. Rushing the process risks damaging the bonding of the paint, leading to significant issues with the paint peeling, blistering, or cracking.

How Often Should You Paint a Stucco House?

So how long does stucco last? The frequency at which you should paint a stucco house depends on the quality of the paint and exterior conditions. Generally, it is recommended to repaint your home every three to seven years if it has been painted with a premium-quality exterior stucco paint job.

Factors such as sun exposure and rainfall also affect how often you should paint your stucco house. It is important to inspect your stucco walls periodically to check for any signs of damage or fading, so you can determine when you should repaint.

Things to Consider When Painting Stucco

It is always recommended when painting stucco to consider getting a respected, professional team that knows how to handle this unique construction material.

Prolonged Moisture

It is important to repair stucco cracks and paint on the walls of your house regularly to ensure that they don’t get stained by mildew caused by prolonged moisture.

Damaging Cracks

Stucco walls are prone to the influence of weather, temperature changes, and time. These factors can crack the surface of your walls, so when small cracks appear on stucco they must be filled. Painting a stucco house exterior will help you preserve the integrity of your walls.

Presence of Efflorescence

Efflorescence, which is when stucco material encounters salt deposits, can over time turn into nasty stains that are difficult to treat and must be dealt with before painting a stucco house exterior.

Prepping the Surface Before Painting

For any paint job, it is always important to allow sufficient time to prep the scene. When it comes to painting stucco house exterior, it is recommended to get a professional team to repair cracks, prep the wall, and paint to ensure the best results.

The Correct Paint and Application

For stucco walls, elastomeric paint is often recommended because it can bridge small cracks. However, painting a stucco house exterior can also be done with 100% acrylic paint, acrylic latex paint offers flexibility, and durability and allows stucco walls to breathe.

Materials Needed to Paint Stucco

Here are the most important materials needed to paint stucco:

• Pressure washer or broom
• Caulking compatible with masonry
• Optional stucco repair mix
• Putty knife for repairs
• Painter's tape for protection
• Primer specifically for masonry
• Masonry paint for best results
• 5-gallon plastic bucket for mixing
• Roller grid for even paint distribution
• Paint roller cage with an extension pole
• Large-nap paint roller for textured surfaces
• Paintbrush for detailed areas
• Optional spray rig for faster application

Which Type of Paint Is the Most Suitable for Painting Exterior Stucco?

Choosing the right type of paint is crucial for protecting your exterior stucco over time. The paint applied to stucco should protect the surface from harsh weather conditions, such as wind, rain, and UV rays.

Below are three types of paint commonly used to paint exterior stucco, based on the type of surface and conditions.

Acrylic Paint

Acrylic paint is a popular choice for painting stucco because it's durable, long-lasting, and provides excellent UV protection. It's easy to use and dries quickly. It's also non-toxic, so it's safe for the environment and for people working around the area.

Acrylic paint is water-based, meaning it can easily be cleaned up with soap and water. It's best used on stucco walls that don't require any significant repairs.

Elastomeric Paint on Stucco Walls

Elastomeric paint is a type of paint that contains elastic polymers that allow the paint to expand and contract with temperature changes, preventing the paint from cracking or peeling.

It's a suitable paint option for stucco walls that have cracks or other types of damage. It's also waterproof and provides an air barrier. The paint can be applied to stucco walls by spraying or brushing.

Speciality Masonry Stucco Paints

Specialty masonry stucco paints are specifically designed for masonry, concrete, and stucco surfaces. They are made of 100% acrylic and designed to last up to 25 years, even in harsh weather conditions. The paint provides a breathable film, which allows moisture to escape, preventing the growth of mold and mildew.

The paint can be applied by spraying or brushing, and it's easy to use. It's an excellent option for stucco walls in areas with high humidity, precipitation, or a freezing climate.

What Are the Recommended Colors for a Stucco House?

• Consider the surrounding environment and choose colors that complement the natural elements. For example, earthy tones like beige, cream, or olive can work well in a desert environment, while paler shades of blue, green, or gray can blend in better with oceanfront landscapes.
• Research the architectural style of your home before selecting the color to ensure that the color scheme is consistent. Traditional homes often benefit from muted or neutral colors, while modern homes may look better in bold or vibrant colors.
• A south-facing home will receive more sunlight and may require a lighter, cooler color to reflect heat, while a north-facing home will have less sunlight and may look better in warmer, deeper hues.
• Popular color choices for stucco homes include white or light shades of gray, beige, and tan, which can offer a timeless, classic look. However, don't be afraid to experiment with more vibrant colors like orange or blue, which can make your home stand out.
• Test the paint on the stucco surface to get an idea of how it will look in different lighting conditions. Paint a small section of the wall with samples of the colors you're considering and see how they look over the course of the day.
• Lastly, consider the colors of the neighboring houses when selecting a color scheme, as you want to make sure that your paint color is consistent with surrounding houses.

Conclusion

In this article Oahu Pro Painters have gone over painting stucco pros and cons, the running theme is that to get the best results you should always rely on a professional team that can offer valuable expertise. Painting stucco walls must be done regularly to ensure your house remains in good condition so don’t hesitate to contact us for an estimate today! Don’t let your walls crumble, crack, and chip away.