Stucco vs. Concrete

What Is Stucco?

Stucco is a strong, durable siding option that is made by forming a cement mixture, made from lime, water, and cement, and layering the mixture onto your home. Stucco is known to stand the test of time; with proper care, your stucco siding can stay looking good as new for more than 50 years. Stucco also provides moderate fire resistance, with a one-hour fire rating on properly installed stucco sidings. Stucco works very well in dry and hot climates, but properly installed stucco will also provide a layer of water resistance to the outside of your home.

What Is Concrete?

Concrete is a commonly used composite building material that, similar to stucco, is made using Portland cement, water, and aggregate, typically sand, stones, or gravel. Concrete is extremely hard and dense, which makes it a durable, fire-resistant siding option. Concrete is structurally sound and load-bearing, and it may also be reinforced to hold larger loads. It is typically used for making patios, driveways, pouring house foundations, making walls, and even very large skyscrapers.

Stucco and Concrete Differences

While stucco and concrete are made from a similar composite, there are a few key differences that should be pointed out.

Weight Bearing Capabilities and Durability

Concrete and stucco have varying levels of weight-bearing capabilities and durability. Concrete is much harder and denser, and is able to bear up to 4,000 lbs of weight per square inch. It can also be enforced with rebar, making it even stronger. This is why concrete is so commonly used in the building of skyscrapers and high-rise buildings. Stucco, on the other hand, is not able to hold as much weight. Thin layers of stucco can not hold much weight at all, and even thicker layers are not reliable for weight bearing.

Water Resistance

Stucco and concrete are both designed for outdoor use, so they both provide some level of water resistance to the exterior of the home, yet concrete provides more water and weather resistance than stucco is able to. Stucco is applied to the home in thin layers, providing an aesthetic and unique look, while concrete is applied in thicker layers. The thickness and hardness of these layers give concrete a competitive edge when it comes to water resistance.

Structural Integrity

Concrete is used as a building material, while stucco is a form of siding. As such, concrete is extremely structurally sound. However, stucco is not a good composite to use for any weight bearing, and should not be used as a building material, since it is not structurally sound for load-bearing.

Drying and Curing Time

Concrete can take a very long time to dry and cure; the average drying time for concrete is around 48 hours, and the average curing time can be up to seven days. For stucco, the layers are thinner, which provides a quicker drying and curing process. Stucco can dry in under a day and usually cures and sets completely within 48 hours.

Decorative Purposes

As described in some of the differences above, stucco is primarily a decorative siding option, while concrete is a more structurally sound building block for homes and buildings. Stucco has many aesthetic options to choose from when being applied: it comes in a variety of colors, textures, and styles. Concrete does have color options a homeowner may choose from, however not as many as stucco. Stucco serves a greater purpose when aiming for a unique decorating feel for your home.

Stucco and Concrete Similarities

While there are many differences between the two building materials, stucco and concrete are also similar in some ways.

Composition

The main similarity between stucco and concrete is their composition: they both contain cement, which is used as a binder in the makeup. Binded with the cement in both materials is also water and an aggregate, typically small stones, gravel, or sand. Stucco contains lime in its makeup, and concrete is designed to be much harder and more durable; however, their makeup contains very similar ingredients.

Mixing and Curing

Due to their similar makeup, both stucco and concrete have a similar process when they are being made. Concrete and stucco both need to be mixed, using a proper ratio of their ingredients plus water. The mixing process and ratio are important to ensure the makeup is properly formed and will provide the necessary look and feel. Concrete and stucco will also need a certain length of time to dry and cure after they are applied, although this time will be longer for concrete due to the thicker layers applied.

Water and Fire Resistance

Both stucco and concrete are water- and fire-resistant due to their hardness and strength. They provide a great external barrier to the home in case of inclement weather or extreme heat and fires. They are excellent for use on the exterior of your home.

Is Concrete Better Than Stucco?

While concrete may be stronger and provide an extra level of durability to the exterior of your home, stucco can provide a greater variety of aesthetic options and is able to provide the desired look and feel to your home, while also providing a level of durability. The differences and makeups can be compared, but ultimately concrete and stucco are two different materials that serve different purposes. Concrete is strong and load-bearing, and great for use in skyscrapers and foundation. It is a building material, while stucco is usually more decorative. Stucco can be used on the outer surface of your home as a siding option, providing a textural intrigue and upping the curb appeal of your home. Ready to stucco your house? Contact our Phoenix stucco contractors today to get a quote!