What is stucco?

Stucco or render is a material made of an aggregate, a binder, and water. Stucco is applied wet and hardens to a very dense solid.
It is used as a coating for walls and ceilings and for decoration. Stucco may be used to cover less visually appealing construction materials such as concrete, cinder block, or clay brick and adobe.

How long does stucco last?

While the service life of stucco can’t be quantified as a specific number of years, properly applied and maintained Portland cement plaster, or stucco, is as durable as any commonly used cladding material.

It’s hard surface resists abrasion and can take a lot of physical abuse. It stands up to all sorts of climates, from cold to hot and wet to dry.

Many older homes built in the early 1900s have had very little maintenance and remain in good shape today.

How do I clean dirty stucco?

Though stucco can last a long time, it can get dirty. The easiest way to fix this is to power wash the stucco. But if this does not work then the surface can be painted or re-stuccoed.

Will stucco save energy?

Yes. Researchers from Oak Ridge National Laboratory concluded that EIFS is 84% more energy efficient than any other wall system. This means you'll save a little money and reduce your carbon footprint.

Can I paint the stucco?

Yes. You can paint the stucco if you dislike the color or want to go for something new but if you are considering new stucco then there are a wide range of colored stucco options for you to choose from.

Is stucco impact resistive?

To an extent but be careful with it. Do not play hockey against it and if power washing make sure the pressure is not great enough to cut through the stucco (don't worry this can't be accomplished with your average hose).

Can stucco be applied in winter?

Yes but it is not easy. A tent and heater system must be set up to keep the temperature up consistently. If this is not done properly then the stucco will freeze and crack as opposed to curing (drying). It is also harder for workers in the extremely cold Canadian days. This is why most stucco jobs are carried out in the spring and summer.

Can stucco be applied in the rain?

No. Attention must be given to the weather so that rain is not forecasted when stucco is being applied otherwise the rain will wash away the stucco.

Is it hard to match colors with stucco?

Yes. It is recommended that you keep the color code for future reference but even with the exact same color stucco dries differently under different conditions such as humidity, wind, brightness, shadow (from scaffolding) and temperature.

If you do not have a color code, a small sample piece will be taken to the manufacturer for them to match. It is extremely difficult to match colors and is thus never guaranteed.

Is stucco waterproof?

Can stucco be repaired?

Yes but patch up jobs cannot be done since the freshly applied stucco will look different then the old creating a blemish.

To repair stucco either entire walls or entire sections with proper joints must be redone.