What Are the Benefits of Painting Exterior Stucco?

Many homes in Hawaii have a stucco exterior finish thanks to stucco’s durability and attractive appearance, and there are many pros and cons to painting stucco. Preventing cracks is an important reason why it is recommended to paint exterior stucco every five years or so. Painting stucco exterior should be done by professional painters you can trust.

What Is Stucco?

Stucco is a construction material that is like a form of concrete, it is a cement-based plaster that is used for exterior walls. Traditionally it was used decoratively, but once it was discovered to be durable and low maintenance it was widely used in construction. It is typically made from cement, sand, and lime.

Does stucco need to be painted? Yes! Regular stucco painting is the secret to its durability.

How Often Should You Paint a Stucco House?

Stucco is known for its strength as an exterior construction material, however, over time it deteriorates. Stucco can last for decades if it is properly maintained with yearly inspections; painting stucco houses is recommended every 5 years. It is important that if you encounter small cracks on stucco, you address them as soon as possible to prevent the cracks from growing larger.

Why You Should Paint Stucco Exterior

Stucco is a popular construction material that is aesthetically pleasing. There are many benefits of painting stucco, including maintaining your house’s curb appeal.

Improves The Look of Your Home

One of the greatest benefits of painting stucco is that it can help you to find and repair cracks in the walls and therefore refresh your home’s exterior. Your house’s exterior walls will look better maintained.

Keeps Moisture at Bay

Moisture is every homeowner’s worst nightmare; it can cause a slew of structural damage and have dire health consequences. Professionally painting a stucco house exterior will seal the material off from moisture and will allow your walls to retain their color.

Many Color Options

When painting a stucco house, you can revive your home’s exterior with a wide range of colors from lighter hues to darker shades. There are many color options, and painting stucco will add to your home’s exterior beauty.

Protects From Sunlight and UV Rays

House exteriors are exposed to natural elements which over time cause wear and tear; for example, sunlight can severely damage stucco. Regularly painting stucco walls will protect your home from structural damage and cracks.

Protect Against Stains

Over time, stucco walls can get stains from rusty nails in windows or doors, water leaks, or other sources. Painting your stucco house will cover those stains and professionals can ensure they don’t reappear for years.

Fills and Repairs Cracks

Small cracks will eventually appear on your stucco walls and these small cracks are not a concern at first. However, if left untreated, they can grow larger and cause costly repairs over time. Stucco painting will effectively cover these small cracks.

Improve Your Home’s Curb Appeal

Stucco painting can repair and prevent your home’s exterior from getting damaged (and looking it), but it can also make your house stand out in the best way. A fresh coat of paint can impress your neighbors, visitors, and buyers.

Better Insulation

Stucco walls offer energy efficiency when it comes to controlling your home’s temperature. They provide insulation for cold and hot temperatures alike. To best take advantage of this, try regularly painting your stucco house to maintain its integrity.

Cons of Painting Stucco

Painting stucco exterior comes with many advantages, but it also comes with some difficulties.

Not Suitable for Wet Environments

Stucco walls are not suitable for wet climates since it is a porous construction material that can easily absorb water and damage the structure itself. Therefore, it is important to properly repair and seal stucco walls.

Greater Repair Costs

A hairline crack on a stucco wall that isn’t tended to properly can swiftly lead to larger cracks. Water can stain stucco walls and damage the inside of the house. These repairs can be costly.

Requires Special Primers

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

Painting stucco exterior can be a tedious project because you must wait until the stucco is fully dry. The waiting period can take up to a month at which point the stucco walls can run the risk of peeling and bubbling.

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.

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.