Stucco is a popular exterior siding material composed of cement, water, and sand. It is durable and long-lasting, but like any material, it will eventually need to be painted to maintain its appearance. But how often does stucco need to be painted? See how often you should before you reach out for any stucco painting in Calgary.

Frequency of Stucco Painting in Calgary – Key Factors

Location of Stucco

The frequency at which stucco is painted depends on a few factors. One of the most important factors is the climate in which the stucco is located. Stucco may need to be painted more frequently in areas with extreme temperature fluctuations and high humidity levels. That is because the expansion and contraction caused by temperature changes can cause cracks in the stucco, leading to water damage if not addressed. Considering Calgary’s unpredictable weather patterns, your stucco could use a repaint from all the wear and tear of the seasons.

The Quality of Paint

Another factor that can impact the frequency of stucco painting is the quality of the paint used. Higher-quality paints last longer and require less maintenance, so if you use high-quality paint on your stucco, you may be able to go longer between painting. Similarly, if you use a lower quality paint, you may need to paint more frequently to maintain the same appearance level.

Age of Stucco

The age of the stucco can also affect how often it needs to be painted. New stucco will likely not need to be painted for several years, as it will still have a fresh, clean appearance. On the other hand, older stucco may need to be painted more frequently as it begins to show signs of wear and tear.

How Often Should Stucco Be Painted?

Generally, you should expect to paint your stucco every 5-10 years. However, this can vary depending on the factors mentioned above – which may require you to paint it again more often. If you are still determining how often your stucco needs to be painted, consulting with a professional painter or contractor is a good idea. Experts can assess your stucco’s condition and recommend how often you should paint it.

Plus, when it is time to paint your stucco, it is important to choose high-quality paint and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for application if you’re DIYing. It will help to ensure that the paint adheres properly to the stucco and provides long-lasting protection.

In summary, the frequency at which stucco needs to be painted depends on several factors, including climate, paint quality, and the age of the stucco. Properly maintaining your stucco can keep it looking beautiful and protect it from damage.

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.

Hanging holiday lights on stucco can be trickier than putting them on other surfaces, but with the right tools and techniques, it’s possible to get them on easily and safely. For homes with stucco in Calgary, here are some tips on hanging your lights this holiday season!

Tips On Hanging Holiday Lights on Homes with Stucco in Calgary

Use Plastic Light Clips

Want to ensure you protect your stucco while trying to get into the holiday spirit with lights? Try using plastic light clips to help hang your holiday lights. These specially designed clips can be easily attached to stucco without damaging the surface. They come in various sizes and shapes to fit holiday lights and stucco textures. So, you don’t need to worry about looking all over for what works with stucco in Calgary.

Avoid Using Nails Or Screws

Nails and screws can damage the stucco, especially if you are not careful. For those inexperienced with stucco, using nails and screws without properly drilling them creates said damage (e.g. significant cracks). Again, you don’t want to accidentally cause damage to your stucco because you tried putting on holiday lights with nails or screws. Instead, opt for the plastic light clips mentioned above or adhesive strips that can hold the lights securely without damaging the stucco.

Plan Out Your Design

Before you start hanging the lights, it’s a good idea to plan your design. It will help you avoid unnecessary holes in the stucco. After all, you don’t want to end up having to ask for stucco repair in Calgary as a holiday gift. By being mindful of how you lay out everything, you can ensure that your lights are evenly spaced and look good.

Use A Ladder

Depending on your home’s height, you may need to use a ladder to reach the higher areas. Make sure the ladder is sturdy and securely placed before climbing up.

Start At The Top

When hanging the lights, starting at the top and working your way down is best. It will help you avoid tangles or knots in the lights and make it easier to distribute them along the stucco evenly.

Use Zip Ties

Zip ties are a great way to secure the lights to the stucco home. Attach the zip tie to the plastic light clip and the light string. Why is doing this important? Well, it will help keep the lights in place and prevent them from falling off the stucco. From there, you can rest assured they shall stay in place.

Be Careful When Plugging In The Lights

When plugging in the lights, make sure to avoid overloading the outlets. It can cause a fire hazard and potentially damage the lights. It’s best to use a surge protector and avoid plugging in too many lights into one outlet. Even homes without stucco should adhere to such rules.

Following these tips, you can easily and safely hang holiday lights on stucco. Just remember to take your time and be careful – your home will shine brightly in no time. Happy holidays!

You can find plenty of homes with stucco in Calgary. The popularity of stucco usage for houses is well-deserved. Unlike any other material, it provides durability, versatility, and cost-effectiveness. With the simple combination of aggregates, a binder, and water to make stucco, you might not realise different types exist. Learn everything about different stucco types and see which can provide the best for you!

Understanding the Various Types of Stucco in Calgary

When it comes to finding stucco in Calgary, you can expect two main types that exist. They are hard coat systems and external insulation and finishing systems (EIFS). Both look the same at first glance, but they are quite different.

Hard Coat Systems (Traditional Stucco)

In the past, stucco was made from sand, lime, and water. Fast-forward to today, traditional stucco in Calgary is mixed with cement. However, it’s rather versatile since other materials are used in it. For instance, those wanting to mold their stucco better can stick to lime as a core ingredient. As a result, you can easily make your exterior look smoothed out or roughened. Alternatively, if your aim is strength, sometimes traditional stucco can include glass fibres and acrylics for better reinforcement. When done right by a professional, traditional stucco can last for decades if properly maintained.

EIFS (Synthetic Stucco)

External insulation and finishing systems (EIFS) completely differ from traditional stucco. This type of stucco is also called synthetic stucco since it’s made of thinner layers of modified materials. Typically, the first layer is made of polystyrene foam board, a fibreglass mesh, and a finishing coat of acrylic resin. This stucco has garnered popularity for the unique benefits that it provides.

Here are a few examples of what synthetic stucco provides:

Resistant to water: With acrylic resin present, it’s a great water barrier since it’s designed to keep water on the outside. If you’re concerned about water damage, synthetic stucco prevents it. So, you won’t need to worry about paying for any potential water repair damages in the future.
Easier application: The beauty of synthetic stucco is its ease of application for various reasons. With it, you don’t need to worry about waiting too long for it to dry since it does so quickly. Also, applying it over a foam board is possible if you want to do something other than mesh. Once it finishes drying, you can expect it to come out rather evenly.
Better movement: Another added benefit is how acrylic resin helps to give the stucco some more movement. What this does is make it less prone to cracking and breaking. Perfect if you wish to create protection from the elements.
Great insulation properties: Calgary is no stranger to cold weather. It’s why many invest in trying to keep warm during winter months by adding more insulation. With synthetic stucco, you can rest assured you will stay warm as it has the highest R-value for stucco. As a result, you can expect to get better insulation than what you had before.

Every year, some homeowners go all out for Halloween. From carving pumpkins to hanging spooky decorations, there’s no shortage of ways to get into the season’s spirit. But for homes with stucco in Calgary, it can pose the question of how to decorate your Halloween decorations. After all, stucco is a bit delicate, and you want to protect your walls.

Never fear! You’re covered. With these tips, you’ll be able to decorate your home for Halloween without damaging your stucco and have a spooktacular time doing it!

Putting Halloween Decorations on Homes with Stucco in Calgary

If you’re lucky enough to live in a home with beautiful stucco walls, you know that they can be challenging to decorate. Stucco is a delicate material, and it’s easy to damage if you’re not careful. That’s why it’s so important to take extra care when putting up holiday decorations-especially if those decorations are made of metal or plastic, which can easily scratch or chip the surface of your stucco.

Stucco is a type of wall finish made of aggregate, a binder, and water. It is usually textured and can be found on the exterior of many homes. Stucco can be tricky when decorating because it could be a smoother surface. The decorations can also look less than perfect if they are not placed correctly. However, with these tips, you can put Halloween decor on stucco without any problems properly!

Use Painter’s Tape

There’s no doubt that stucco walls can be a tricky surface to work with when it comes to decorating for the holidays. While some might try using nails or hammers to hang decorations on their stucco walls, those methods can easily damage the wall and even cause unsightly holes. Instead, the easiest and most foolproof way to decorate your stucco walls is with painter’s tape. With just a few pieces of tough, long-lasting tape, you can easily secure your decorations in place without any risk of damage to your walls. And when Halloween is finally over, peel off the tape and enjoy your beautifully decorated home without worrying about repair or repair costs.

Hang Fabric

Hanging fabric is a great way to add beauty and creative flair to your home while also avoiding the damage caused by heavier decorations. Unlike other materials, fabrics like burlap and felt are lightweight but durable, making them ideal for use on stucco walls. And if you’re worried about the fabric blowing away in the wind, simply weigh it down using heavy objects like pebbles or stones. With a little creativity and forethought, you can transform your stucco walls into stunning displays that look great and keep your home safe from damage. After all, why settle for plain old walls when you can have beautiful hanging fabrics instead? So what is stopping you? Start decorating!

Use Command Strips

Command strips are another great option for hanging Halloween decorations on walls. They come in various sizes and are specifically designed not to damage delicate surfaces like stucco. Plus, they’re super easy to use! Just follow the instructions on the package and enjoy your securely hung decorations.

Go For Stickers

If all else fails, stickers are always an option – and some great Halloween-themed ones are out there! Remember to use stickers made for indoor use; outdoor stickers will eventually peel away from your walls, taking bits of stucco with them.

There are plenty of homes with stucco in Calgary. You can see why it’s a popular material since it’s quite durable. However, there are ways for it to start peeling off. If your house is made with stucco material, it would be in your best interest to learn about what can cause this issue. Find out how here.

Understanding the Causes Behind Stucco in Calgary to Peel Off

What is Stucco?

Before we understand what causes stucco to start peeling, it’s important first to know the makeup of stucco. Alternatively known as plaster, stucco comprises three basic materials – aggregates, a binder, and water. In construction, it’s generally applied wet before hardening into a dense solid. Its strength makes it a popular construction material for decorative coating for walls, ceilings, exterior walls, and even more creative uses for architectural sculptures.

How Could Stucco Begin to Peel Off?

Even the most durable construction material has its Achilles heel – stucco is no different. That’s why it’s important to understand what could cause stucco to start peeling off. Once you know, you can effectively prevent or catch the issue and call a professional for stucco repair.

For the most part, the main culprit behind stucco peeling can be summed up to one main cause – water damage.

Yet, you might wonder how water can create this issue. Often than not, it stems from water seeping into the water underneath the stucco. How can this occur? Easily from ice-damming. If you’re unfamiliar with ice-damming, it forms after heavy snowfall.

With how Calgary winters can be, you want to look out for this. All the snow collected on your roof warms up from the heat in your home. The melted snow then goes down before freezing again at the edge of your roof – creating a pile of ice. That’s where peeling can start in your stucco.

How to Fix Peeling Stucco?

Thankfully, it is possible to fix peeling stucco. However, a few steps must be taken to achieve that.

These include the following:

Removing loose stucco
Adding builder’s paper & mesh
Patching it up with base coats
Applying a finishing coat

If you’re into DIY, it’s possible to fix small stucco peeling. However, if you notice a lot of stucco peeling, it’s best not to do it yourself. With so much peeling, it can easily get overwhelming. Furthermore, the pressure can make concentrating hard, resulting in a poor job. You risk making things worse – especially if you have never done it. A bad job can result in paying more for repairs than you would have hoped in saving costs through DIYing.

If you have a lot of stucco peeling, it’s best to leave it to the professionals. In this way, you can ensure the peeling is fixed properly. Plus, reaching out to one can help you better understand ways to prevent this from occurring again in the future.

Updating stucco exterior

Stucco is a versatile building material, and it’s often used to give homes a unique look. When installed correctly, it creates a smooth finish ideal for painting, adding faux finishes and decorative touches. While stucco in Calgary provides several benefits, it’s not impervious to the weather. If your stucco has dulled and started flaking, you may want to consider updating the look of your exterior.

Find out the best tips on properly updating your stucco exterior to keep it maintained and prevent damage from having to pay for exterior replacements.

Cleaning stucco

Stucco requires regular cleaning to look good and protect the wall from damage. A pressure washer is an effective tool for cleaning stucco because it can remove dirt, grime, and mildew from the wall’s surface.

However, if you live in a humid area, you may have to use a pressure washer with a fog nozzle instead of one with a high-pressure nozzle to prevent damaging the stucco by forcing water through it.

Consider adding colour

Stucco is an excellent material for adding colour to your home’s exterior, as long as you do it properly. First, only use paint made explicitly for stucco–not regular house paint or even exterior latex paint (which can peel). Second, avoid using any sheen; flat is best if possible. Also, remember that some colours may not be compatible with older stucco surfaces and could cause damage if misapplied. If you’re unsure what will work best for your situation, speak with a professional contractor who knows the ins and outs of applying exterior paint over stucco surfaces.

Replace old mortar

If your house has been around for a while, you may have some old mortar cracked or crumbling. If this mortar is in good shape–meaning it still sticks together when you press on it–then all you need is to replace it with new mortar. This should be done every 20 years if you have standard stucco walls (which means they’re not reinforced).

You can mix your mortar by combining Portland cement, sand, and water in a bucket until it has the consistency of peanut butter. Then use a trowel to apply the mortar along the bottom of each crack before pushing them back together with your fingers or a putty knife. You’ll want to wipe away any excess mortar with a damp rag as soon as possible so that it doesn’t harden and create more problems down the road.

Replace siding

One way to update your stucco exterior is by replacing old siding with new siding. If you live in an older home, then chances are that there are some areas where the siding has been damaged or has started to peel off completely. Replacing these areas with new siding will give your home an updated look without spending too much money or time. You can replace these areas yourself or hire a stucco Calgary for the job if you don’t feel comfortable doing it yourself.

Repairing cracks and holes

Repairing cracks and holes in your stucco exterior is essential for protecting your home from water damage, which can cause mould growth within your walls if left untreated for too long. A crack sealant should be applied over any cracks that are wider than 1/4 inch wide before they become more prominent than 3/8 inch wide so that rainwater does not seep into your walls during heavy rainstorms.

Conclusion

The biggest problem with stucco in Calgary is that most homeowners are afraid to go near it. That’s because remodelling stucco is quite a job. It can be difficult and dangerous, as you must learn to work with a chiselled cement finish. It can also be very messy. On the other hand, if you use the right tools and materials, you can clean, re-coat, or completely change the look of your stucco exterior over a weekend, for a fraction of what it would cost to replace it.

How to Check for Moisture Behind Stucco in Calgary

Stucco in Calgary is a trendy siding alternative amongst homeowners because it is both durable and has a distinct visual appearance that can’t be emulated using other materials. This reliable substance can last on the exterior for decades without enduring damages that can be costly to homeowners. While stucco’s benefits are undeniable and its durability is undeniable, stucco’s one vice is moisture and how susceptible it is to water damage. Replacing stucco won’t result in exorbitant prices. This home substance is affordable to many households, but knowing how to check if moisture is wreaking havoc on your home is valuable knowledge to acquire.

Find out how you can check for moisture that might be located behind your stucco exterior and the signs that your stucco has been exposed to moisture.

Signs of moisture damage

To initially begin inspecting your stucco exterior for moisture damage, you can simply look at its appearance and see explicit signs. Moisture can easily gather if you have failed to apply your stucco correctly onto your home or did not maintain it years after the application. Accumulating moisture on a stucco surface can result in visible cracking on your exterior, discolouration on your interior and exterior walls will eventually form, and a distinct mildew smell can also occur. Furthermore, if the caulking on your stucco has become abruptly damaged and is starting to flake significantly, you can expect your stucco to have sustained moisture damage.

Infrared cameras

When you notice that the stucco on your home has multiple signs of moisture damage, you should contact a professional contractor to inspect how extensive the damage might be. A contractor will utilize advanced tools to confirm your stucco in Calgary is damaged, like using an infrared camera. An infrared camera uses thermal imaging to gauge the warmer and cooler stucco areas to ascertain the moisture content properly.

Exterior probe testing

To get the most accurate testing possible when finding out the moisture levels in your stucco exterior, contractors often perform exterior probe testing. Probe testing consists of a professional drilling a hole into the exterior of your wall, then inserting a moisture metre into the wall, which will give you direct and accurate results of your moisture levels within your stucco walls.

Video scope

A contractor can use a video camera to accurately assess the moisture levels in your exterior walls and the extent of the damage it may have caused. A video camera can accurately determine moisture levels in your walls and what the damage in hard-to-see areas looks like. If the walls in your home are filled with insulation, a video camera can become an inaccurate source to rely on as they won’t capture the damage that might have developed.

Taking proactive measures

Once these various methods have detected signs of damage caused by moisture, action will need to be taken to salvage your stucco walls. Your contractor can better determine the damage the moisture has caused by removing sections of the siding. These professionals can quickly patch the siding that is removed if moisture damage is not found, but if water damage is visible upon scaling back the walls, they can take immediate action to prevent the situation from developing and your walls from becoming completely unsalvagable.

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.

House painting in Calgary is considered the most important home maintenance process that you will need to consider for enhancing the beauty, look and functionality of your building process. Therefore, you must go ahead with exterior house painting so that you will no longer have to deal with any issues with the look of the building. When you find that the exterior painting is fading and peeling, you must get a fresh coat of paint in your home as it is the best way of transforming the look of your home. Therefore, you must determine how much it costs to paint a house exterior to decide whether or not you should go ahead with the painting project without having to deal with many expenses. It would be best to estimate the cost of painting your house to be prepared financially for the painting procedure and be ready to spend money on these expenses. Along with choosing the painting contractors, you will need to select the right colour for the exterior house painting job according to your personality and design personality so that you can give a fresh sheen to your home in an effortless manner.

House Exterior Painting Costs

Exterior painting costs less than interior painting. Still, exterior house painting is a cumbersome and time-consuming process as you will need a ladder pulley system and scaffolding equipment for completing this painting project.. The average cost of painting the exterior of your home can be anywhere from $1,900 to $6,900. This cost is dependent on many factors that add to the total cost of the painting project. The different aspects include the number of storeys, condition of the house, exterior size, number of doors and windows, siding material, prep work, labour charges and repair tasks. But the labour charges account for about 70% to 80% of the total exterior house painting costs, and hence you need to keep in mind all these charges before hiring a painter to offer you the best quality services. The second notable cost is the cost of materials used in the painting project, and the quality of the paint and other materials that you choose will determine the total costs.

Your Options for House Painting in Calgary

As the temperatures change, stucco has a tendency to expand and contract in response. This can result in chipping and Moreover, you will need to choose the right painter for house painting in Calgary based on experience, skill and workmanship so that you will be able to hire an expert for your project. There are many other factors that you will need to consider because the quality of paint you choose will directly impact the overall painting project. Some brands come with lifetime warranties, and they will remain in excellent condition for many years to come.

One of the most appealing aspects of stucco in Calgary is how easy it is to maintain. By simply inspecting your siding a couple of times a year and giving it a good scrub when it starts to look grubby, you can feel confident that your stucco will last for decades.

However, the beautiful texture of stucco makes washing it with a cloth and bucket seem a bit unreasonable. But are you able to pressure wash stucco? Or will that risk damage to the exterior of your home?

Below, let’s explore how you can safely wash your stucco in Calgary.

How To Pressure Wash Stucco

Fortunately, you can absolutely pressure wash stucco! This allows you to blast away all the dirt and debris that can build up on your exterior and leave it looking like new.

However, pressure washers do have a bit of force to them, so there are a few things to consider to ensure you’re not damaging your stucco in the process.

Check For Cracks

As the temperatures change, stucco has a tendency to expand and contract in response. This can result in chipping and cracking. While this is completely normal and often not terribly noticeable, it is recommended that you inspect your walls a couple of times a year. This allows you to catch any small fractures and patch them before they expand.

Stucco is also incredibly porous and absorbs any moisture it comes in contact with. If there are any cracks in your stucco, you risk them expanding if you attempt to pressure wash prior to repairing them.

Fortunately, the process of filling cracks is relatively straightforward. Simply ensure the caulking has dried completely before you wash the exterior.

Scrub Heavy Stains

With a scrub brush and some detergent, take the time to scrub any heavy stains that may take a little more effort to remove. You should ultimately use the pressure washer to rinse away loose debris, rather than to tackle stubborn spots, to ensure your stucco isn’t put under too much pressure.

Time To Pressure Wash

When spraying your stucco, ensure your nozzle is set to a low-pressure spray and that you are hitting the wall at a 45-degree angle while standing a few feet back. Pressure washers are effective, but being too aggressive with them can actually cause more damage to your walls.