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.

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.

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.

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.