Stucco is a popular exterior finish known for its durability and distinctive texture but requires specific care when painting. This guide covers all essential steps for painting stucco, including choosing the right paint and tools, proper application methods, and maintenance tips.
Painting stucco every five to ten years helps maintain its appearance and protect against the elements. In hot, dry climates like the Southwest or colder regions, selecting the appropriate paint is crucial. Elastomeric and 100% acrylic house paints are popular choices, each with its pros and cons.
Follow this guide to ensure your stucco looks great and lasts for years.
Why We Use Stucco In Warmer Clients
Stucco is widely used in warmer climates for several reasons:
- Thermal Performance: Stucco acts as an effective thermal barrier, keeping homes cooler in hot weather by reflecting heat away. This reduces the reliance on air conditioning and contributes to energy efficiency.
- Durability: Stucco is highly durable and can withstand harsh sun and heat without deteriorating quickly. Its composition of cement, sand, and lime makes it resistant to cracking and damage from temperature fluctuations.
- Low Maintenance: In arid regions, stucco requires minimal maintenance. It does not warp or rot and is not prone to insect damage, making it a practical choice for long-term use.
- Breathability: Stucco is a breathable material, which means it allows moisture to evaporate, preventing the buildup of mold and mildew. This is particularly important in climates where humidity and occasional rain can occur.
Aesthetic Appeal: Stucco provides a smooth, clean finish that can be easily colored and textured to fit various architectural styles, which is appealing in many warm-weather regions known for their distinctive aesthetic preferences.
These qualities make stucco an ideal exterior finish for homes in warm climates, combining functionality with aesthetic versatility.
Paint Types For Stucco Paint
We’re now going to present arguments for and against different paint opinions. There are too many factors to consider when choosing the right paint for your exterior.
Elastomeric Paint
You should use elastomeric paint for stucco or masonry because you want a breathable finish. If water ever gets in the substrate, it can get out with acrylic paint, causing bubbling.
Acrylic Latex Paint
Many contractors and painting experts recommend high-quality, 100% acrylic latex paint. Acrylic latex paint is breathable, flexible, and durable, allowing moisture to escape from the stucco and preventing blistering and peeling.
Another big issue with stucco is cracking. Because acrylic-latex paint is flexible enough to accommodate stucco surfaces’ natural expansion and contraction.
What Sheen For Stucco Paint
To achieve the best results when painting stucco, we recommend using a flat sheen. Unlike gloss finishes, a flat sheen does not create a plastic appearance and better accentuates the natural texture of stucco walls. Stucco, being a porous and textured surface, benefits from a flat sheen as it effectively conceals imperfections and irregularities in the pattern. In contrast, a satin sheen can make the texture stand out more and highlight flaws such as cracks or dings, especially under direct sunlight.
Additionally, oil-based paints should be avoided for stucco exteriors because they lack breathability, leading to potential issues like bubbling and peeling. Elastomeric paint, while slightly shiny due to its composition, offers a matte finish that is preferable for stucco, though it may retain dirt more than other paints.
What Brands Make Elastomeric Paint
The brand of paint for stucco depends on the contractor you ask. Every major brand has its line of stucco paint.
We wrote a blog with our eight favorite paints for exteriors in Arizona.
Here are a few of them:
Sherwin Williams Duration Exterior Acrylic Latex
Duration is our company’s #1 choice for exterior painting. This product is 100% acrylic and built to last in extreme temperatures. When applied correctly, its expected lifespan can be upwards of 12-15 years! It is a one-coat product for re-paints and is formulated with PermaLast® technology.
Dunn Edwards EverShield
Ever Shield by Dunn Edwards is an outstanding product to use on the exterior of your home. This product is also 100% acrylic and is a top-of-the-line at Dunn Edwards. This product provides phenomenal durability in extreme conditions. The expected lifespan of this product is 10-12 years.
Latitude By Sherwin Williams
Latitude by Sherwin Williams is a contractor-friendly product that allows you to paint in extreme conditions. It is built to paint in extreme heat and low temperatures. It can be applied in temperatures ranging from 35 degrees Fahrenheit to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. It can also be applied within one hour of forecasted rain due to how fast the product cures.
The expected lifespan of this product can last upwards of 8-10 years when applied correctly!
Note: Lighter shades, such as sandy beige or light gray, are popular choices because they reflect sunlight and help keep homes cooler. Darker colors fade faster due to heat and UV ray absorption. Also, the higher the sheen, the more durable the product.
What Paint Not To Use
Oil-Based Paint
Oil-based paints, also known as alkyd or solvent-based paints, are unsuitable for stucco surfaces due to their tendency to trap moisture. This can lead to blistering, peeling, and other damage as moisture gets trapped within the stucco. Additionally, oil-based paints lack the flexibility needed to accommodate the natural expansion and contraction of stucco, resulting in cracks.
These paints also don’t let the stucco breathe, which is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the material. Water-based paints are a better alternative as they offer the necessary breathability and flexibility to ensure long-lasting protection and durability for stucco surfaces.
Low-Quality Latex Paint
While high-quality acrylic latex paints are perfect for stucco, low-quality latex paints fall short in durability and flexibility. These paints may not adhere well to the textured stucco surface, leading to faster peeling and fading. Additionally, low-quality paints lack the robust finish needed to withstand the elements, reducing the lifespan of the paint job.
Investing in high-quality acrylic paint ensures better adhesion, flexibility, and long-term protection for your stucco surfaces, maintaining the aesthetic and structural integrity of your home. Always choose premium options to avoid frequent repainting and potential damage.
Painting Technique Matters, Too
So follow these tips to get stucco paint right.
- Elasto is very thick, so you’ll need a very good sprayer to apply it.
- Choose the right nap for your area; lambskin naps are recommended for stucco exteriors.
- Use the biggest tip possible until it runs down the wall, then backroll it with a 1 3/4″ roller. You won’t need to go that hard with repaints, but if you’re painting completely by hand, use the biggest roller on the market.
- Cementitious stucco will absorb a lot of paint, so be prepared to use a lot of it. Use 40-50 gallons of regular paint on a stucco house.
- Painting stucco is messy, so use giant cardboard sheets to catch the paint.
- We spray and roll two coats on the same day. One coat of acrylic or elastomeric paint will not provide a watertight system.
- Follow the recommended stucco cure time and use a pH-appropriate primer.