What Is Stucco Siding?
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 can also provide a layer of water-resistance to the outside of your home in a moderate climate.
Pros of Stucco Siding
Low Maintenance
Compared to wood siding, stucco is relatively low maintenance. Aside from annual inspections and cleaning of your stucco, which are necessary for most siding options, there is very little that needs to be done for upkeep of your stucco siding. Stucco provides a very low maintenance yet long lasting siding option for you to consider for your home.
Durability
Stucco is an extremely durable siding option, since it is installed using a thick layering system and it is made of an extremely strong cement mixture. In the face of heat, stucco provides an extremely durable outer layer to protect and insulate your home, and it will not face any melting issues or have any damage from excessive sun exposure. Stucco can also handle extreme wind and is known to be able to handle gusts of up to 130 mph. Stucco siding has a one hour heat rating, meaning that it can burn for up to one hour in a fire before flames penetrate the siding and begin to burn the interior of the home. It provides a thick and protective barrier on the exterior of your home.
Long Lifespan
Stucco siding is extremely durable and definitely stands the test of time: it provides a great layer of exterior protection for your home, and is known to last anywhere from 60-100 years before it needs to be replaced. The color and texture of your stucco can be easily refinished if you decide you want to change the look of your home, providing you with versatile options that do not require a new siding option to be installed.
Cons of Stucco Siding
Porous Surface
While stucco is extremely durable in the face of heat and wind, it can be a very porous material. If you reside in a dry or hot climate, this will not be an issue. However, living in a very damp or rainy climate can cause issues for stucco siding. As a porous and absorbent material, water seeping into the stucco can cause issues, including mold or rot. If water gets below the surface of your stucco, it can become trapped and form rotting issues on the interior layers of your home, as well as mold problems within your home.
Usually Requires Professional Installation
Unlike wood, which can easily be installed without professional help, stucco installation is a more complex process and usually requires a professional team to properly install. The stucco process can be difficult: it requires mixing of a high quality cement mixture, then a layering installation process which involves precise drying times as well as intricate textural additions, if that is something you desire for the exterior surface of your home. This can be costly and difficult to partake in if you are not a professional.
How Much Does Stucco Siding Cost?
Stucco has an average cost, for a 1,500 square foot home, of around $10,000 for installation and materials. The cost of stucco installation varies based on the experience of your installation team and the quality of your building materials.
What Is Wood Siding?
Wood is siding that has been formed from trees, typically cedar or pine, due to their durability. Oak and redwood are also used to form wood siding. Wood siding is popular in many areas of the country, due to its unique look and curb appeal.
Pros of Wood Siding
Variety of Finishes and Styles
With wood siding, the design options are endless – wood is very easy to stain, allowing you to choose from a wide range of shades and colors. Wood siding comes in a variety of forms, from shingles to clapboards, shakes, board and batten siding and more. Even though many homes have wood siding, they often look unique due to the countless finishes and styles you can find the siding in.
Natural Aesthetic
Siding materials often try to mimic the look and feel of a natural wood siding, however wood does the job seamlessly of providing the natural aesthetic. Wood provides a warm, timeless look that easily ups your curb appeal and allows your home to naturally blend in with the environment around it.
Eco-Friendly
Wood is a well-known renewable resource, so incorporating it into the siding of your home is an eco-friendly move which can pay off in the long run. You can take it a step further by using reclaimed wood to form your wood siding.
Cons of Wood Siding
High Maintenance
In order to protect your wood siding from a variety of elements, a lot of maintenance is required. Wood siding must be painted or stained every 3-5 years to keep a consistent look to the siding. You also must check your wood frequently for signs of termite damage, rot, warps, cracks or moisture infiltration: these problems can happen quickly and cause great damage to the home.
Vulnerable to Pests
As mentioned above, you must watch closely for signs of termite damage, as wood is more vulnerable to pests than most other siding materials. Many different insects will eat or burrow in lumber, including termites and carpenter ants.
How Much Does Wood Siding Cost?
Wood siding ranges greatly in price, and can cost anywhere from $7,000 to $23,000, depending on the style and type of wood you choose to use on your home.
The team at Titan Stucco has the experience and the expertise to provide you with the best information in regards to siding for your home.
Contact the team today to learn more about siding installation and repairs!
