4 Key Ways Painting Stucco Can Protect Your Home’s Exterior
Did you know that painting stucco can provide added protection to your home exteriors? Stucco has long been a popular choice for siding homes, particularly in dry climates like Colorado. However, stucco’s base materials — cement, water and sand — are still vulnerable to damage from rain, sunlight and settling. Stucco paint, or more specifically, elastomeric stucco paint, offers property owners many protective benefits that can improve the longevity of your stucco and keep your home looking brand-new, too. Here are some of the ways that exterior stucco paint can protect your home:
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Prevent UV Damage and Fading
Just because stucco is the perfect siding for hot, dry climates does not mean it’s invincible. Like any other siding, stucco still has to contend with the power of the sun. Yes, it certainly does take longer for stucco to break down then, say, wood siding. However, that breakdown can lead to cracks in the cement/sand combination. Left unrepaired, cracks can grow over time and allow water to damage the core infrastructure of your home. Not only that, harsh sunlight can fade the color of your stucco, leading to unsightly discoloration that makes your home look damaged or unfinished.
Elastomeric masonry paint is one of the best exterior paints for stucco available to property owners today. It can create an added barrier of protection that keeps your stucco in great shape longer. Elastomeric paint is formulated to adhere to masonry work and create an even, heavy, UV-resistant build able to withstand the damage caused by sunlight day after day. In a state that boasts 300+ days of sunshine each year, that’s a benefit every stucco owner should take into serious consideration.
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Stop Stucco Staining
Stucco’s porous surface makes it prone to developing unsightly, nasty stains that are extremely — if not impossible — to remove. Multiple factors can contribute to staining. For example, dirt or debris leaking from the roof or gutters of your home can absorb into the stucco as the stained water runs down the side of the home. The porosity of the plaster allows these stains and particles to penetrate deep into the walls. Even rainwater or extremely humid weather can cause discoloration, albeit more temporary. If you find your home becomes a blotchy mess anytime moisture is introduced into the environment, stucco paint may be able to help with that, too.
Cleaning stains on unpainted stucco can require a lot of scrubbing. That’s not too bad if it’s one or two small spots, but what about massive discoloration? That’s a lot of elbow grease. Painting stucco exteriors with a flexible masonry paint gives property owners an advantage because it stops absorption into the deeper layers of the plaster. It also gives you the ability to clean your stucco with a power washer (a potentially damaging process for stucco without elastomeric protection). Stucco paint can hold up well under gentle power washing. When used with a stucco-approved cleanser, stucco discoloration disappears much more quickly, leaving a clean, undamaged exterior wall behind.
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Prevent and Repair Minor Cracks
All houses settle over time, which can put stress on your home’s stucco siding. Stucco has less flexibility than wood or composite siding, so it can’t always roll with the punches of the foundation shifting or the wood infrastructure swelling and shrinking. When these changes come up against the rigidity of the stucco siding, hairline cracks can occur. It’s important to note here that we are only referring to minor hairline cracks. Large gaps or cracks in your stucco walls or around the building’s foundation are indicators that you may have a deeper issue to address.
Elastomeric paint sinks into these hairline cracks, bonding them together so they do not continue to widen and spread. When applied correctly, the coverage looks perfectly even and smooth, with no indication a crack ever existed. Even better, the elasticity of masonry paint lets it stretch and shift, which means it won’t crack unless there is something more serious going on, like major shifts in your home’s foundation.
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Keep Moisture Out
Unwanted moisture is a bane to the structural integrity of your home. Keeping it outside where it belongs is one of the key reasons why paint even exists. Stucco has two main problems when it comes to moisture. The first is that unpainted stucco likes to soak up moisture. The second is that it also tends to hold onto it once it is absorbed. That means that all that unwanted moisture sits against the wood and fixtures in your home, creating mold and mildew or even wood rot or interior home damage.
Elastomeric paint offers a waterproof barrier that prevents moisture from penetrating the surface of your stucco and building up inside your home. The high-build of the coating (when applied properly), coats evenly over even the roughest of finishes. As noted early, masonry paint also fills in hairline cracks, creating yet another barrier that keeps moisture from seeping into the walls of your home.
Other Benefits to Painting Stucco
Not all benefits are related to the safety and protection of your home. Some benefits are simply cosmetic. For example, painting your stucco improves the curb appeal of your home. Stucco siding is an extremely desirable feature for many prospective homebuyers due to the ease of maintenance and its durability. However, in order for them to recognize its value, you need to ensure it looks clean, unstained and evenly colored. Masonry paint can accomplish this.
Elastomeric paint also allows you to branch out and try new colors. Stucco paint colors can be more than the traditional browns, corals and tans you expect. Sherwin-Williams stucco paint, for example, can come in bright, flashy blues, dark grays and blacks and even wilder options like pink or purple. Believe it or not, pink looks pretty great on stucco — just look to the Broadmoor Hotel in southern Colorado Springs for a shining example.
Stuck on Painting Stucco? Give Us a Call!
If you’re still not convinced that painting your stucco is the right choice, why not give AMC Painting a call? We can give you a no-hassle, no-pressure estimate and answer any other questions you may have about warranties, paint application, longevity and much more. Contact us today and we can help you take the next step!
