What is Stucco?

Stucco has become more and more popular over the years thanks to its reasonable pricing, plus there’s a variety of ways to apply it and make it. But with that being said, what exactly is stucco? Good question! Stucco is a cement-type mixture added to sand or lime. It’s generally covered over a wooden wall that’s already been covered with a galvanized metal screening and tar paper. It’s perfect to use if you’re looking to add a bit more texture to your home (i.e., giving your home that aged and durable look).

Selecting the Perfect Color

Now that we’ve defined what stucco is, it’s time to select the perfect color. This is important because it can make or break your design depending on how you’re using the stucco. The color of the stucco is going to be the first thing you see, plus it helps set the tone for your home’s interior. So, before you begin selecting the color, you’ll need to know the base color palette you’ll be working with for the inside of the home. To help pick your color palette, select the base fabrics for your home, then you’ll be able to choose options for your stucco color more comfortably.

When you start your selection process, pick at least six colors or more that’ll compliment your interior colors. Since the color will appear a little darker at night than it does during the day, I believe it’s better to go lighter with the color. 

Once you’ve made your selection, it’s time to make some large samples.  After you’ve made the samples, place them in different areas around the outside of the home. This way, you’ll be able to see them in different lighting. You’ll also want to look at them at other times of the day and evening so that you can see how they transform. At the same time, also take smaller samples and walk around with them and take the time to see how they change and how you feel about them. 

Now comes the fun part… the process of elimination. Sometimes it requires a few additional color selections, but it’s always worth it to take the time to do this, so you’re excited and confident with your final choice.

Time to Paint

Since stucco can be used for both exterior siding and interior molding, there are multiple options to tint the color based on your needs. Additionally, your home’s stucco may have cracked since it was installed or the last time it was painted. So be sure to walk around your home and fill in any cracks with a good acrylic caulk, or for the more minor cracks, an excellent premixed patch material should do the trick. If you’ve just installed the stucco, wait about 60 days for it to harden before painting. Otherwise, give your home a good power wash to eliminate any old paint and achieve the best result. The amount of paint you’ll need also depends on the texture of the home. For example, if your home’s stucco has a smooth surface, use one coat of paint, two coats of paint if you have a medium texture, and three paint coats if you have a rough texture.