Best Way to Paint Stucco? A Word of Caution

Stucco has amazing durability and a beautiful aesthetic. To maintain that elegance, you might be tempted to “freshen it up” with a can of paint. So, what’s the best way to paint stucco? DON’T. As experts in the stucco remediation and restoration industry for more than two decades, we at Ai Restoration cannot warn you about this enough. Read on to find out the facts about why paint and stucco don’t go together and what you should do to keep your stucco looking fresh.

How Stucco Works

One of the best qualities of stucco is its breathability. Here’s how it works: The porous nature of stucco allows water to be absorbed like a reservoir and then evaporate back out. Stucco relies on this breathability to keep the water away from damaging your home. Sounds great, right? It is—unless you paint over it.

The Best Way to Paint Stucco is NO Way

Many stucco homeowners are sure there must be a way to paint stucco. Countless people do it, but they do so to the detriment of their homes. Did you know that painting your stucco actually destroys its permeability, turns it into a maintenance-needy surface, and shortens its lifespan?

1. First, painting stucco eliminates the escape route of any moisture or rain water. Mold and rot will begin to fester.
2. Second, once you paint, you’ll have to keep painting your home every few years to maintain the color.
3. Third, painting stucco destroys the lifespan of the stucco. That trapped water leads to destruction due to mold and rot. Add to that excessive cracking and crumbling caused by the stuck water, and your beautiful stucco exterior will be lost.

Re-face Your Stucco for the Best Protection

To maintain the characteristics and porous nature of your stucco, Ai Restoration offers a very unique “re-facing” of the existing stucco. This process helps protect stucco homes in our region. As experienced stucco craftsmen, we know that using this method will maintain your stucco and save you money over time. Why “re-face”?

• It fills existing cracks, and hides and blends repairs.
• It maintains the breathability essential for stucco.
• It increases the thickness of the stucco for greater strength.
• It offers water repellency.

Ai Restoration Recommends:

The best way to paint stucco is not to. Instead, contact our team at Ai Restoration. We will happily share our hard-earned knowledge to protect your home, save you money, and help you avoid unnecessary headaches. Call for a free consultation today!