Stucco Siding
Contents
Reasonably priced, easy to maintain and aesthetically pleasing, stucco has been a popular siding choice for hundreds of years. With a variety of paint colors and applications to choose from, stucco works well with any home's exterior. Check out the facts to decide if it's right for yours.
Costs
On average, stucco siding costs between $6 and $9 per square foot for a professional installation. The price varies depending on the grade of stucco siding used. For specific cost estimates in your area, speak with a local siding installer.
Pros
Stucco lends itself to virtually any paint color and type of application. It can be smooth or course, raked or swirled.
Fire-resistant and able to expand and contract with the weather.
Offers a high degree of energy efficiency.
Cons
Stucco tends to show water and dirt stains more readily than other siding materials.
Can be harder and more costly to install.
Cement stucco can crack when a home’s foundation shifts.
Durability
Stucco is generally a very durable siding option. It can expand and contract during seasonal shifts, so it won’t sustain damage under harsh conditions. In fact, it’s even fire-resistant. On average, stucco can last up to 50 years before it needs to be replaced.
Maintenance
If you're looking for a siding option with little to no maintenance, then stucco is an excellent choice. Some homeowners don't like the stains that stucco tends to attract, so light pressure-washing is common. Hairline cracks can be easily fixed with paint or a brushable elastomeric sealant.
Common Questions and Answers
What are the various ways that stucco can be applied?
Because it is plaster with a cement base, stucco can be applied:
- In layers over framed and solid walls
- Over a base of wire mesh or wooden slat spacers
- On existing surfaces, including concrete block or older stucco
- By hand with a trowel, or even sprayed on
When it’s dry and set, pigment can be mixed in or the surface may be painted. The variety of applications makes stucco one of the most adaptable materials out there.
What is a better siding option - vinyl or stucco?
Vinyl wins in a few categories, especially price and maintenance. Vinyl costs less and requires even less upkeep than stucco. However, many homeowners don't like the manufactured look of vinyl and far prefer the natural texture of stucco.
History
Because of its reasonable cost and the variety of ways to apply and formulate it, stucco siding has been used for centuries. The ancient Greeks and Romans painted wall frescoes onto fine-grained hard plaster surfaces made of gypsum, marble dust and glue. During the Renaissance, the Italians elaborated stucco techniques, which, in turn, spread throughout Europe.
References
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