The exterior of a home can be made up of many different materials, and one popular and durable material to use for your home’s exterior is stucco. Stucco is the reliable finish that will flatter the exterior of your home with its seamless application, as it has been doing for centuries. The outer layer of the exterior and cladding of your home should be complementary to its architectural style while serving the home with a secure and affordable finish, which is exactly what stucco does.

Before you become set on using stucco finish on your home, find out what process of applying it entails and, most importantly, how long it takes to dry.

Why use stucco

Stucco goes on the outer layer of a home’s exterior, making it the most visible. Stucco is versatile in the way it can be applied to the exterior of your home and will easily allow you to create embellishments when using it. Stucco is a mixture that is most like cement and contains sand, Portland cement, and lime. As it is no longer viable to mix stucco yourself with raw ingredients, you can purchase pre-mixed stucco and stucco repair kits at most home improvement stores.

Because stucco is so affordable and one of the most manageable finishes, it remains unbeatable compared to more expensive and high-maintenance exterior finishes.

Applying stucco to your home

Stucco can be applied on a wood-sheath home, but additional materials are required, like concrete masonry. Mesh is a traditionally used method when installing stucco. Using mesh involves applying the stucco over wood or wire lath.

Applying stucco can ultimately be difficult and time-consuming, especially for those with little to no experience using stucco on a house exterior. Because of such a laborious application process, most people forgo doing it themselves and hire a professional team of stucco painters instead. Hiring professional stucco painters may seem like it could significantly inflate your home exterior budget, but applying stucco correctly through professionals will determine the longevity of your finishing. Typically, stucco should last for about fifty years in your home without pronounced deterioration and hiring professionals will enforce the strength of your stucco application.

Waiting for your stucco finish to dry

Your stucco finish drying properly will determine the quality and durability of the application. After applying your stucco finish initially, you wait 48 hours before applying the brown coat. If you want to paint over your stucco exterior, waiting for your stucco to cure is recommended and typically takes a standard of 7-14 days if you are eager, but 30 days is the standard cure time. If you begin to paint too soon, your stucco can become dry and cracked.

Taking notice of the weather before you begin to apply your stucco helps ensure that its tricky application won’t be for naught. Stucco should usually dry for 48 hours before being subjected to rainy or foggy weather. For stucco to dry and set completely, it will take about 90 days.

For the past 20 years, Golden Trowel Stucco has been providing top quality stucco services in Calgary. We are recognized for our quality craftsmanship, our friendly attitude and our commitment to our customers. We can help you with all your stucco needs, including stucco installation, stucco painting and stucco repairs in Calgary. Whether you need it for your home or your commercial property, we can help you with our services. Stucco is a low maintenance and worry-free exterior surface that can completely change your home, so take advantage of it with our services. ≈≈≈. Call us at 403-891-5343 anytime for a free on-site estimate.

Are you planning on getting new siding installed on your home? If so, you’ve probably been looking at your different options. One option you should strongly consider is stucco. Stucco is a siding that is made out of cement, lime, and sand. Here’s are a few reasons why it can be a good investment.

1. You Won’t Have to Deal with Fading

Because stucco is already pigmented, you do not have to deal with painting the siding. The pigmented stucco is also resistant to fading. You won’t have to worry about painting it over for decades if you maintain it properly. This means you’re saving on painting costs.

2. It is Known for Its Durability

The big benefit of stucco is that it is very durable. You can expect it to last at least 50 years if you maintain it properly. You want to look for cracks or holes every year as this can lead to water getting in and eroding it from the inside out.

In addition, stucco performs well in cold weather. You won’t have to worry about harsh weather conditions chipping away at your stucco. If you are looking for a company that works on stucco in Calgary, you’ll want to find a reputable and experienced company so that it is installed properly.

3. It is Affordable

Yes, stucco does cost more than wood and vinyl siding. But compared to other quality siding materials, it is more affordable. It costs around $8 per square foot. This is almost half the cost of brick and still lower than stone siding. Take a look at how much area you need to cover to get a general idea of what you’ll be paying.

4. Stucco Can Help with Resale Value

In some cases, stucco can help with the resale value of your home. You want to take a look around your area and see if there are homes that have stucco installed. This is a good sign that other homeowners saw the value in this siding material. Stucco in Calgary is used on a good number of homes but it really depends on the neighborhood.

These are four strong reasons why stucco is a good investment. If you like the look of the material, it should definitely consider stucco for your siding.

Golden Trowel Stucco has been providing Calgary homes and commercial properties with top-quality stucco services. For the past 20 years, we have been the number one stucco contractors in the Calgary and Greater Calgary area. We can completely change your property for the better with our stucco services, including stucco installations, stucco and exterior painting, and stucco repairs in Calgary. We’re flexible and ready to help you when you need it. Call us on 403-891-5343 anytime.

The cost of stucco in Calgary can be a complicated question. Luckily, selecting the right stucco company makes the rest of the process simple and easy. However, it is still important to determine what type of stucco work you require.

Do you already have stucco, and desire repairs to increase the curb appeal? Or perhaps, your exterior moulding is made of stucco and you would like to freshen it up for the spring season? Maybe it’s time to be done with the old, and an entire stucco paint job is what you are seeking? Regardless, finding a friendly and competent stucco company means professional advice is available at your fingertips.

The Cost of Different Stucco Services

Stucco repair

The fact that stucco can last up to 100 years, with proper maintenance, means that stucco repair isn’t a wasted venture. With this though, comes the responsibility of finding a qualified professional who will make sure that your stucco and any repairs done to it will stand the test of time. It often isn’t necessary to replace damaged stucco as a new finishing coat or reapplication of the sealing coat will do the job even better than replacing it.

Exterior Moulding Repair

Although there are several varieties of exterior stucco moulding, it is a stucco company’s pleasure to freshen them up and have a variety of talents and challenges. This means that if your exterior insulation & finishing system (EIFS) stucco or your acrylic stucco have necessary repairs, a qualified professional will be able to repair them. As above, replacement or removal of exterior moulding isn’t always the solution. Often reapplication of the sealing materials will be sufficient to guarantee the longevity and appeal of your exterior moulding.

Stucco painting

Stucco in Calgary can be damaged quicker than other climates. This is due to our ever-changing weather systems and our harsh climate. However, it is easy to refinish the color of your home which also allows you to try bold new ideas. Hiring a stucco company just gives you more time to choose the perfect color palette, look for new yard furnishings to accentuate the look, or make the invite for the reveal party even more adorable. In essence, hiring a stucco company removes the guesswork and makes the stucco painting process a whole lot simpler.