The 4 Major Benefits of Stucco

Your home’s exterior is what makes both a first, and also a lasting, impression on guests, neighbors, potential buyers, the HOA, and your family, friends, in-laws, etc... Stucco not only makes the exterior of the home look crisp and clean, but it also provides a benefits to the homeowner. 

Smoother textures and Fine Sand finishes provide a modern, updated look that no one can resist being impressed by, and many people are re-stuccoing their homes to eliminate older, more obvious textures which can really make the home look dated.

Learn more about stucco below, and see why this cement mixture can provide a homeowner with an abundance of long-term benefits for their home.

What is Stucco?

Stucco is a mixture of cement, sand, lime and water, plus any color can be added into the mix, completely eliminating the need to paint. (Stucco can be painted, but for the most natural beauty and longevity, should not be!) 

Contractors mix stucco and apply it to a wire base, called a lath, in multiple coats; providing a durable, seamless look for the home’s exterior. Screed and waterproofing may also be included, depending on the project needs. 

Stucco is ideal for a modern home finish but contractors can create stucco in a variety of different textures, producing the look you want to achieve. These styles include; sand, fine sand, mission, cat-face, course, pebbled, raked, smooth and swirled.

Reap the Benefits of Stucco:

Durability

Stucco is a very durable material to use for the exterior of your home, as this cement mixture can last up to 50 years with little to no maintenance. Since stucco expands and contracts with the weather, this reduces the risk of cracking or falling apart under the pressure of the changing seasons. Once a contractor properly waterproofs the stucco’s exterior, it will also be resistant to mildew, mold and rot.

Additionally, you'll completely eliminate pests associated with wood, such as termites.

Maintenance

Maintenance to your stucco is extremely minimal. In comparison to other materials such as siding, stucco does not need to be repeatedly painted, reinstalled, replaced or regularly cleaned. Sprinkler systems and landscaping/plants should not be in continuous direct contact with the finish walls to keep the stucco from being damp on a constant basis. You can wash your walls with a power washer if you feel like they’re getting dirty, and you can paint the stucco whenever you are in need of a change... although painting stucco IS NOT needed or recommended.

Once you paint your stucco, you will need to keep painting it, or re-stucco the entire house to get back to a natural state of the material. 

Add Value to Your Home

Having stucco on the exterior of your home can increase the value of your home for multiple reasons. Stucco is energy efficient, fire resistant, low maintenance, rot resistant, pest resistant, extremely long lasting, eco-friendly, sound dampening and adds great curb appeal to your home’s exterior. Not only will it add value to your home in the event you decide to sell but these benefits can allow you to apply for improved home insurance premiums.

Easy Professional Installation

The installation of stucco, including drying time, only takes about a few days to complete, depending on the project and weather conditions. Along with the process being a speedy one, it’s a versatile material because it can be applied to many materials, including (but not limited to) wood frame and concrete masonry. Once you’ve accepted your quote for having your stucco installed, you'll be deciding on a texture finish and color. We can assist you in this process if needed. Color packets will be added to the stucco mix in the final stages of your project, eliminating the need for paint. The natural material will have some slight color variations, as per the nature of the material and adding to the organic beauty, depth and uniqueness of stucco. 

Edited from an Original Post: https://eieihome.com/articles/4-major-benefits-stucco/#:~:text=Stucco%20is%20energy%20efficient%2C%20fire,for%20improved%20home%20insurance%20premiums.