Whether you’re redoing your house from the outside or are just thinking about getting a new siding, there is the process of going through material selection apart from choosing the right siding contractor. If you’re considering stucco for your exterior siding, then take a look at its pros and cons.
Stucco Siding Pros And Cons
Pros Of Stucco Exterior Siding
Let’s begin with the advantages of stucco siding which are plenty.
It’s Durable
Stucco is extremely durable and perfect for house exteriors. Its composition makes it one of the best materials you can find in the market for outdoor siding. Stucco is essentially made out of Portland cement, sand, lime, and water. In some cases, it also has polymers in it, but it is a mixture that’s applied on the outer wall of your house. The combination of all these things gives rise to a material that’s not only amazing in finish, but it’s also sturdy.
Stucco sidings can last anywhere between 40 to 50 years if you take care of them properly and it’s a pretty long time considering some other materials like vinyl last pretty less than that. So, you don’t need to constantly change the siding now and then.
It’s Customizable
Stucco is highly versatile when it comes to styles and designs. It can be customized into any shape, design, and texture you want, which makes this material all the more amazing. It’s not every day you see a material that’s versatile and has excellent strength.
So, if you’re someone who likes to design your house siding and wants it to be unique, then stucco won’t disappoint you because it will fit into any creative mold you want and that’s an amazing thing.
A lot of materials are pre-fabricated and already have designs and patterns on them and even though they are also popular, they’re not all that great when compared with the versatility stucco offers. This is why stucco will sate your inner creative and will give you loads of options to choose from so that you don’t get bored, rather you’ll be left confused with all the variety.
It’s Reasonable In Price
You might think that stucco is a very expensive material given that it’s durable and has a lot of qualities, but it’s more reasonable than hardwood siding. There are a lot of materials out there that surpass the price tag of stucco, so it’s still a very affordable option considering that it lasts for a long time. You can get your hands on stucco even if you’re working with a tight budget.
Customized stucco runs a bit expensive, but if you are someone who doesn’t care that much for variety, then a simple stucco is something you can easily bag without making your wallet scream.
It Doesn’t Need A Lot Of Maintenance
House sidings needs maintenance to last long. Stucco is easy to maintain and you don’t need to do anything besides sealing it and cleaning it in case there are dirt splotches and debris on the surface. You can also hose down the surface if you don’t have a lot of time.
Sealing stucco exterior siding will ensure that your walls stay stain-free and it’s an extra step to ensure the longevity of your siding. It’s worth it and you’ll love the low-maintenance aspect of stucco.
It’s Sustainable
Stucco is environmentally-friendly and it doesn’t emit any harsh components or toxins in the air. It’s very hard to find materials that fit your budget but are sustainable at the same time. So, stucco will not be less than a dream come true for all you environmentalists out there.
It is a very eco-friendly material and it lasts for a long time, so you don’t need to constantly change it to make it look brand new, which also adds to restoring our dear planet. Stucco is surely a material that does it all.
It’s Sound & Fire Proof
Stucco is fireproof. It’s kind of similar to concrete but since it has sand in it, it repels fire and prevents the flames from getting uncontrollable. This makes stucco an amazing choice for houses in hotter climates because it naturally insulates the space too.
On top of that, stucco also cancels out the noise from the outside. So, if you live in a bustling neighborhood and don’t want to be bothered by the noises and honking outside, then stucco will block everything out, making the inside of your house peaceful and quieter. How’s that for material selection?
Cons Of Stucco Exterior Siding
It Needs Professional Installation
Stucco, as amazing as it sounds and looks at first glance, isn’t the most DIY-friendly. You can’t install stucco exterior siding by yourself because you won’t be able to get the results you want. This is why stucco exterior siding needs professional installation.
This is quite the bummer because you want the siding to be easy to install, but stucco will disappoint your wallet in the installation department. It’s a very meticulous process that you just can’t do by yourself and you’re going to need some help from experts.
It’s Porous
As durable stucco exterior siding sounds, it’s no match against water. Water can cause stucco to discolor and stain like there’s no tomorrow and the main reason why stucco is so sensitive to water is because it’s porous.
This is because of the Portland cement in the composition of stucco that causes it to be hydrophilic. It absorbs water easily as there are a lot of pores on the surface and that can lead to a lot of permanent stains.
So, the best way to rectify this situation is to seal your stucco siding, which is an extra step, but it will make the siding last longer.
Installation Is Expensive
Even though stucco, as a material, is inexpensive, that doesn’t mean that its installation is too. Installing stucco is quite pricey and you can’t escape the hefty installation charges. If you don’t know this already, stucco is sprayed on the siding foundation. It’s not a slab of material that can be stuck to the wall.
Depending on the thickness, you can go for 3 to 4 coats of stucco, with each coat needing to dry for about 24 hours. It’s a hefty job which is why it costs a lot.
It Can Crack
Stucco is known to be a very stiff material once it dries up. It’s not flexible at all, which you might think is a good thing, but lack of flexibility can cause the stucco to crack and chip if you put a lot of force on it or if you try to bend it too much.
This is something that comes with the robust composition of stucco but it can easily turn into a disadvantage of this very durable material. There is zero elasticity in stucco, which makes it a deal breaker for a lot of buyers.
Conclusion
Even though stucco is an amazing material for house siding, there are still a lot of things that don’t fit the standard of a perfect exterior siding. Now, you know everything about stucco, from the front to the back. You should consult siding companies Port Jefferson for material suggestions and quotes.
