Does Stucco Need To Be Painted?

Can Stucco Be Left Unpainted?

Yes, stucco can be left unpainted, either for a short period of time or throughout the lifetime of your stucco. Stucco is made of cement-based materials, which will last for long periods of time with or without a coat of paint to protect the siding. Unpainted stucco can be compared to brick or cinder block; these building blocks and siding materials are all formed of similar composites of cement and water, and they are all left unpainted, just as stucco can be.

Vulnerable Parts of the Stucco Process

Stucco can be left unpainted and still stand the test of time. However, there are vulnerable parts of the stucco process that need some level of protection. These more vulnerable parts are the stucco paper, which is the water-resistant barrier for the three-coat stucco systems, and the foam that is used on one- or two-coat stucco systems. These layers should ideally be covered up within a shorter time frame, likely within 1-4 weeks. Luckily, with the layered stucco system, once all the layers are applied, they will be covered and protected by the next layer. The other coats of stucco can be left uncovered for as long as you like—forever, if you choose to go that route—because the cement, lime, and water mixture provides a hard and durable exterior that doesn’t need paint to extend its lifetime.

Do You Have a Finish Coat?

Some stucco can be colored and not require a finish coat be added to the layer, but if you have an uncolored base layer that includes a finishing coat, it will last just as long as if color had been added to the base layer. The stucco layer is protected due to the finish coat, even though there is not any coloring added. The uncolored stucco will be a more natural gray, white or some combination of the two. Even with the natural color, this stucco can still be texturized in a homeowner’s preferred pattern. The finishing coat providing a layer of protection is true for all types of stucco finishes, including traditional, synthetic and acrylic.

Stucco Base Coats

Stucco base coats are typically composed of cement, sand, lime, and water. The cement used in the stucco mixture is typically Plastic cement: plastic cement already has lime added to the mixture, so it works well when added to the stucco. When the stucco is wet, it is typically a dark gray color, and once dried and cured, it will form into a lighter gray color, typically the color of concrete or sidewalk. Once a base coat has dried and cured, a finish coat will usually be layered on top of the base. The finish coat may be color-added, painted or left as is.

Stucco Finish Coats

Stucco finish coats are layered on top of the base coat. In the natural form, a stucco finish coat is a light gray, white or grayish-white color. It can easily be tinted to add color to it, or it can be painted. The natural white-gray finish coat provides an easy yet natural look, and it is not necessary to color or paint this natural color. It is all a homeowner’s preference whether they would like to add any color or paint the final finish coat of their siding.

Painting Stucco

If you decide, for aesthetic reasons, that you would like to paint your stucco siding, there are a few tips that are worth noting. Painting your stucco siding is similar to painting a house with wood siding – the preparation and technique that the home is painted with will determine the longevity of the paint. For homes that have had stucco siding for years, it may be difficult to determine when the siding needs to be painted, due to the expansion and contraction of stucco making it behave differently than paint on vinyl or wood. A few questions to ask to determine if your stucco should be painted:

Do You Live in a Moist or Humid Climate?

Stucco homes thrive in dry, arid and hot environments. As such, stucco homes are very popular in these areas. Stucco homes will still provide longevity and curb appeal in areas that experience more rainfall and humidity, however the paint routine for your stucco may need to be more regular.

Do You Notice Hairline Cracks?

Stucco provides a layer of moisture protection for your home, but if hairline cracks begin to form, moisture may seep beneath the surface and damage your home. If you notice a larger number of hairline cracks, it may be time to paint the stucco and seal these cracks before any moisture damage arises. Larger cracks should be filled with caulk before they are painted.

Do You Notice Cracking, Peeling or Blistering?

Cracks, peeling of the stucco or blistering beneath the surface of your stucco are all signs that stucco should be painted. These may require some repairs before painting begins, and to ensure a quality repair it is worth speaking to a stucco expert to determine the best course of action.

Tips for Painting Stucco

If you’ve answered the questions above and decided it is time to paint your stucco, here are some good rules of thumb to follow, to ensure a smooth and quality painting process:

• Paint all stucco walls at the same time: There can be some variability in the paint colors of stucco siding, due to the natural materials and different elements that may slightly affect the color. As such, to get a perfect color match, it is important to paint all the walls or sides of your home with the same color at the same time.
• Power wash first: To make sure you get even and clean coats of paint, be sure to thoroughly clean your stucco by power washing or thoroughly washing and drying prior to any paint application.
• Two coats: Always apply two coats of paint.

Maintaining or painting your stucco can be complicated, but the versatility and longevity of stucco siding will always be worth it. If you want to discuss stucco application or painting with a skilled Phoenix stucco contractor, contact the team at Titan Stucco today to learn more about how our Arizona Stucco experts can serve you.