Here’s why you should paint your house stucco siding

If you have ever lived or vacationed in a hot, dry climate, you probably saw a ton of stucco siding.

Stucco is traditionally a shade of brown or maybe a terra cotta orange color. Sometimes homeowners will choose to update the look of their stucco siding with a totally different paint color. Spanish styles typically feature bright, white stucco siding, and some modern home designs incorporate more grays and cool, neutral shades.

Painting stucco is possible, and it can help protect the siding from absorbing too much moisture during rainy seasons. In this post, Spectra Painting Contractors will explain the best way to work with stucco and how to paint it.

What is stucco?

According to an article by SF Gate, stucco is powdered limestone or cement that gets blended with sand and water. Stucco is applied to the sides of buildings by hand. Once the stucco cures, it is a very durable siding material that can last for years.

Stucco can remain unpainted. You can also choose to use exterior paint to enhance the appearance of your stucco walls.

Some typical colors for stucco homes include tan, stark white, earthy green, and dusty pink. Some modern home designers choose gray, black, or blue instead. If you cannot settle on a paint color, you can always paint the wood trim around your home a brighter color while keeping the siding a neutral shade. (link to Spectra blog/webpage about painting trim)

Should you paint stucco?

Painting stucco is completely up to the individual homeowner. Many people like the natural look of stucco siding, while others want to switch up the color and enjoy the other benefits of using paint.

However, once you paint stucco, you will have to plan on repainting it every few years. Unpainted stucco siding does not require as much maintenance over the years if any at all.

Stucco homes are often a shade of brown, and many homeowners are hesitant to change up the color too much in fear that their home will look odd in another color. If you live in a place with a homeowner’s association, you will want to see if they have any rules on colors you can choose before deciding on a new color.

We say, go for it. But be sure that you are painting your stucco siding using the right tools and techniques. Painting can also be a more cost-effective solution than re-siding your stucco wall if it gets discolored later on, so the paint could end up saving you some money in the long run. Here are a few other benefits of painting stucco that may help you decide.

1. Paint if you want to seal out moisture
   Stucco sucks up a lot of moisture, especially after it rains. A coat of paint will help protect the stucco material from moisture by waterproofing the surface. Exterior paint can help lengthen the lifespan of your stucco and keep it from discoloring.
   
   
2. There are imperfections you want to cover
   Your home exterior faces the outdoor elements every day. You may notice stains on the stucco siding or maybe cracks and chips in your stucco material. Good quality paint can help fill in small cracks and hide stains to keep your home looking well-maintained.

3. 3. It can help update the look of your home exterior

Choosing the right color for your stucco siding can help your home look contemporary and up-to-date. You can paint stucco any color you would like depending on your style and preferences.

4. Paint protects your siding from sunlight
   Over time, direct sunlight can break down your stucco siding and cause it to crack. A layer of paint acts as sunscreen on the side of your home, protecting the stucco underneath from being under direct light all day long.

How often should you paint stucco? 

Stucco is pretty durable, but it will need a fresh coat of paint every so often. You can expect painted stucco siding to last more than 20 years without a problem. However, the paint’s lifespan will depend on the type of climate you live in.

Shop around for the best paint that is suited for stucco as well as the climate you live in. Local, professional painters can recommend the best type of exterior paint and primer to use for your next painting project.

What you need to know about painting stucco:

All stucco has to be completely dry before you can paint it. If the stucco siding is damp, you will risk trapping moisture underneath the paint, which can cause the exterior paint to fail. (link blog to paint damage) 

Before painting, you will need to clean off any dirt and dust from the side of your stucco using a pressure washer. Then, you will want to caulk any small cracks in the stucco siding and repair any larger cracks with a dry stucco repair product.

You will have to wait at least 60 days before you can paint new stucco siding to ensure it is cured.

 Plan to buy at least 25% more paint than you would for vinyl siding because stucco tends to suck up a bit of paint. Rougher textured stucco siding will absorb more exterior paint than smooth stucco siding.

Spectra Painting Contractors is based in the Boston area. To learn more about painting and home improvement, visit our blog.