When it comes time to renovate our home’s exterior and freshen up its siding, it’s important to take Canada’s harsh climate into consideration. Fortunately, stucco is an incredibly worthwhile option, as it’s both durable and stylish.

Renovation projects can admittedly be a bit pricey. But will selecting stucco for your siding be a choice that breaks the bank? Let’s take a look at how much stucco siding in Calgary might cost you.

The Cost of Stuccoing A Home

Stuccoing a home generally requires three layers: the scratch coat, the levelling coat, and the finishing coat. These three layers are essential, as they ensure that your home is properly covered and protected while confirming that your stucco is securely attached.

This increase in materials will result in a slightly higher price when compared to a few other siding options. On average, stucco costs between $7 and $9 per square foot. However, when budgeting your siding project, don’t forget to factor in labour costs.

When you reach out to your stucco contractor in Calgary, they will be able to provide you with a more definite quote, allowing you to plan your finances accordingly.

The Benefits of Stuccoing A Home

Durability

While your initial investment may be higher, the payoff will be worth it. Stucco in Calgary is incredibly durable and able to withstand extreme conditions. Made of Portland cement, sand, lime, and water, it’ll be difficult to compromise the integrity of this material. This allows for its lifespan to increase, thus decreasing how often you need to redo your siding.

Low Maintenance

Stucco is also perfect for the homeowner who’s looking for easy upkeep. Other than the occasional inspection for cracks, as stucco is incredibly porous, you can essentially install your stucco and leave it to fend for itself.

Resistant

When it comes to fire, termites, rot, mould, and impact, you’re set with Calgary stucco. Due to its comprising elements, stucco is resistant to most factors that put a home at risk, affording you additional peace of mind.

Is Stuccoing Your Home Worth It?

While the decision is ultimately yours, stucco is an extremely worthwhile investment. Despite the slightly higher upfront costs, you’re certain to see your stucco exterior pay off for decades to come.

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 at 403-891-5343 anytime.

Stucco is an incredibly durable and reliable siding for your home. If properly installed, your stucco can last for decades with minimal maintenance. However, it’s always wise to inspect your stucco from time to time, ensuring that its integrity is still intact.

One issue that can present itself is water damage. Stucco in Calgary is exposed to a significant amount of water and rainfall, which can lead to moisture sneaking in behind your walls. But how can you tell if your stucco has trapped moisture behind it? Let’s take a look.

4 Ways To Check For Moisture Behind Stucco

Dark Spots

Your stucco is naturally going to get darker in colour when it rains. However, if you notice darker patches of stucco after a week of nice weather, it may be worth exploring. Persistent dark spots or streaks are often signs of water intrusion.

Bubbles

If you have a poor drainage system, water will sit along your home’s foundation and compromise the stucco. If you begin to notice bubbles or even dense cracks along the bottom of your siding, you may be looking at moisture retention.

Soft Drywall

This step will require you to go inside. Feel along the bottom of your windows on the wall you believe to be compromised. If the drywall is soft, that’s a sign that moisture is trapped inside and is now weakening the structure of your interior walls.

Missing or Cracked Stucco

Stucco, by nature, is very porous, and thus absorbs a lot of moisture that it comes in contact with. While this is to be expected, the moisture should not be held behind your walls. If you notice that your stucco is chipping or falling off more easily than normal or find that there are extensive cracks in your stucco, it may be smart to bring a professional in to take a look.

What Can Professionals Do?

If you believe your stucco in Calgary is retaining moisture, a professional stucco company will be able to do a more thorough examination. From probe testing to thermal imaging, there are several ways in which stucco contractors can use specialized equipment to confirm your suspicions and pinpoint the source of concern.

Purchasing a home is arguably the largest investment you will make in your life. Taking the time to research potential houses and the risks associated with each one is important, as you don’t want to encounter financial hurdles as soon as you take possession.

Fortunately, when it comes to buying a stucco house in Calgary, there are no more risks that come with it than any other house. In other words, stucco siding should not deter you from purchasing a property.

However, as with any type of siding, it does come with its pros and cons. Let’s explore what those are.

The Pros and Cons Of A Stucco House

Pros

Fire Resistance

A 1-inch coating of stucco provides a one-hour firewall rating. This means that, in the event of a fire, it will take one hour for the fire to make it from one side of the wall to the other, giving you that buffer time to put out the fire. This is particularly beneficial for homes that are close together, as a neighbouring fire may not as severely impact your home.

Appearance

Stucco is a great siding to choose from based on aesthetics alone. By adding dyes into the mix, you can pick the colour of your stucco, thus ensuring your vision for your home is complete.

Buying a home that already has stucco? Fortunately, painting stucco is fairly simple and allows your home to look brand new.

Roofline showing windows, brick stones, gutter, soffit, stucco

Durability

Stucco is a mixture of cement, sand, and water, meaning it’s guaranteed to be strong. This can be particularly appealing to homeowners with stucco siding in Calgary, as hail damage tends to be a concern.

Additionally, stucco is pest-resistant, thus ensuring the integrity of your stucco and entire home remain intact.

Cons

Maintenance

While stucco doesn’t require hours of maintenance every week, it is important to stay on top of the condition of your stucco. Stucco is a rather dry material, so cracks are bound to pop up every now and then. If you catch them when they first appear, they’re easy to fill in and can be done yourself. However, larger cracks affect more than just the appearance of your home. Neglected cracks can actually damage the structure of your home and end up costing you a fair bit of money to repair.

It isn’t risky to buy a stucco house, but with anything, it’s important to take care of it and fix it when it starts to show signs of ageing. Don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional stucco company if you ever need advice.

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 at 403-891-5343 anytime.

One of the benefits of stucco exterior is that it rarely needs to be completely replaced. Instead, a simple update is more than sufficient to get your home looking brand new once again.

The process of updating your stucco exterior is fairly straightforward, so let’s take a look at the steps you would need to take.

Updating a Stucco Exterior

Wash Your Exterior

The first course of action is to pressure wash the side of your home. By removing the dirt and other debris, you’re better able to see if there are any cracks in your stucco that will need to be patched. Additionally, this will give you a clean surface for when you add the paint.

Allow the stucco to dry completely before continuing to the next step.

Fill the Cracks

You will need acrylic-based caulk to fill any cracks on the exterior of your stucco. Depending on the size of the gap, use a caulking gun or a putty knife.

Don’t be concerned by the presence of splits in your stucco. Alberta’s weather can take a toll on our homes, but stucco has the ability to stand up to extreme climates. A few cracks here or there is a small reflection of the rain and wind that your stucco resists. That said, this may be a step that you can skip entirely. Based on the age of your home and the conditions it experiences, it may not need to be patched.

Prime the Wall

In preparation for the paint job, you will need to prime the stucco. Use a paint roller to cover your exterior with an acrylic-based sealant.

Allow the stucco to dry completely before painting.

Paint

A fresh coat of paint is a simple way to update your stucco exterior, but the results are perhaps the most noticeable. Whether it’s a new colour or simply a refresh of the original one, your home will be feeling brand new.

First, paint the top and bottom edges of your walls. This creates a border to work within so that when you paint the remainder of the wall, the paint won’t accidentally get on the roof or the like.

If you are wanting to add a second coat, ensure the paint is completely dried before starting round two.

Updating stucco exterior entails relatively few steps but does require patience as you wait approximately a day between each step. Don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional specializing in stucco exterior in Calgary if you want further information or assistance.

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.

Stucco and plaster are often confused for one another. This is understandable, as they can look the same to the average person. They are often applied to your walls in a similar manner, and their textures can be difficult to distinguish from one another to the untrained eye.

Additionally, their composition is incredibly similar. To add to the confusion, stucco is even considered a type of plaster.

So does it even matter which one you use on your home?

Let’s take a look at how their differences can influence your decision.

Deciding between Stucco and Plaster

Softness

As mentioned above, the composition of stucco and plaster is very similar. They both are considered lime mixtures, but what is added to each one is what makes the difference.

Stucco also contains Portland cement and sand, while plaster usually has some variation of water and plaster of Paris.

Thanks to the different ingredients added to stucco, it’s hard as a rock when it dries. This isn’t to say that plaster is fragile. In fact, it’ll stand the test of time given the right conditions. However, at the end of the day, stucco is firmer.

Pickiness

Plaster can be easier to work with when it comes to the exterior of buildings. In general, it’s easier to apply and will stick to any exterior surface and material.

Hand with a spatula in the process of leveling the raw plaster.

Stucco, meanwhile, is a little pickier and less willing to bind to just any wall. You will need to properly prime your exterior wall before adding the stucco.

Usage

When deciding whether to go with stucco or plaster, a helpful consideration is where you intend to place it. Stucco is designed to be used outdoors only, especially when taking its coarseness into account, whereas plaster can be used indoors and outdoors.

Plaster is able to be moulded, which allows for more decorative finishes within a home or building. Stucco is more stubborn and unwilling to mould in such a way.

Ultimately, it will depend on how you intend to use the stucco or plaster. If you want a more sturdy exterior wall, stucco may be the way to go. However, if you want a more decorative finish, then plaster would be the preferable choice.

Regardless, both options are sure to last you a long time.

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 exterior of your home is often overlooked when it comes to repairs, maintenance and saving money. This may be understandable on account of the endearing quality and craftsmanship of siding material like Calgary stucco. However, overlooking the key effects and benefits of your home’s exterior can cause problems and cost an undue amount of money.

Therefore, it is essential that you understand the true value of exteriors, and in particular, stucco in Calgary. Below, we look at how this material outshines the regular competition, like vinyl and wood panelling.

How Calgary Stucco Helps You Save Money

Maintenance-Free

First on our list of benefits, the relatively low or nonexistent maintenance of stucco. Stucco painting is a rarity for necessity, although it is a popular way to refresh the facade of your home. Plus, even for minor chips or dings, the repair and replacement are quick and easy.

Long-Lasting

Stucco is also long-lasting and can even exceed the lifetime of its top competitor, vinyl siding. As one of the oldest building materials in existence, there is a good reason for stucco to remain near the top in terms of durability and utility. The ability for this material to resist harsh weather elements like rain, snow and sleet also makes it popular in our Northern climates, as much as the low cost and availability make it common in other parts of the world.

Fire-Resistant

Finally, stucco is fire-resistant, meaning that it will protect you and your neighbours in the event of a fire. This may seem like a less common problem in our current day, but in the past, it made stucco one of the strongest options for building materials. Even now, the continued prevalence and favour that stucco enjoys is partially as a result of its remarkable ability to stave off the spread of fire. In fact, certain insurance providers will discount your premiums just for having a stucco exterior.

The cost of stucco in Calgary does involve a number of different factors. Among these factors are the house size, the type of stucco, and the company that you choose to perform the work. As a result, you can expect quite a spread in the average cost, but there are some general assumptions that everyone can use. Read on to find out more!

The Elements of Stucco Costs

The Amount of Stucco

The amount of stucco you need for your project will play a fairly substantial role in the total cost. Of course, if you are applying stucco in Calgary to a single floor, small dwelling, the price will not be that great. Indeed, especially when you compare it to the cost of a multi-storey house with lots of extra room.

The Type of Stucco

The type of stucco you use for your house will also affect the price. There are basically three types of stucco: california, acrylic, and EIFS acrylic. Each of these provides a different aesthetic, experience, and advantage to the other types. Additionally, california stucco costs the least, whereas EIFS acrylic will be more expensive. In fact, the difference in price per square foot is about $4, which can add up quickly.

Construction worker plastering a wall with a spatula

The Stucco Company

The stucco contractor will also change your prices. Typically, large companies will have higher overhead costs and may charge more as a result. However, choosing the smallest company might be ill-advised as well. This choice may lead to longer installation times or unqualified labour.

Therefore, your best option is to choose a company with a good reputation, which you can gauge by online reviews. You can also find a business with this sweet spot by requesting multiple quotes. Usually, the cost to stucco an entire house is between $1,800 and $7,000.

Find Your Calgary Stucco Company Today

Find your stucco company today and see what they can do for you. Stucco is a beautiful exterior siding material, and you should treat your house right by installing some. Call us today for a quotation and estimate.

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.

External insulation and finishing systems (EIFS) or stucco in Calgary? Which is better? This is the question we hope to answer in the article below. However, to answer the question, we must first understand each type of material.

What is Stucco and EIFS?

What is Stucco?

Stucco in Calgary is a mixture of portland cement, water, and other mineral materials. The first step is to install a wire mesh in the area. Next, the application of stucco occurs in several layers until we achieve the desired thickness and appearance. In some cases, the use of styling tools allows for a unique or exciting finish after application.

Stucco has many benefits, especially for its long history. The ability to make homes out of what is essentially, mouldable rock, has been a great boon for humanity throughout history. It would undoubtedly take a great material to replace the utility that stucco, as a material, has historically enjoyed.

What is EIFS?

EIFS is an external insulation system made of different types of polystyrene and fibreglass. When you install EIFS, the process is often similar. The polystyrene is attached to the fibreglass netting to give it a rigid structure, and multiple layers can be placed over the top, depending on the building specifications. Furthermore, EIFS can also have moulds or holes cut or precut to facilitate better other parts intricate to the building, such as drainage pipes and more.

EIFS has many benefits since its introduction back in the 1960s. Excellent insular properties, relatively cheap production, and fantastic handling make this material an excellent choice for quick construction projects, normal development and much more.

Why Stucco in Calgary Wins

Stucco wins the contest for a few reasons. First, the legacy of stucco gives it a fairly substantial crack at the prize, and secondly, the ease and material collection of stucco seals the deal. While it is true that EIFS might have better insular properties, ultimately, if you were trapped somewhere looking to build a permanent structure, there is only one choice. A mixture of rocks and minerals, as opposed to a material generated through specialized, exacting chemical processes. Even using the rebar-reinforcement is easier to acquire and produce, as opposed to fibreglass matting.

What do you think is better? Let us know on our social media pages!

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.