STUCCO CRACKING AND FADING

Reasons to Paint:

1. Protection from the elements
Paint acts like a rain jacket for stucco. Because stucco is porous, it can absorb water during rain. Painting
creates a waterproof barrier that makes water bead off, preventing damp spots, cracking, mold, and
long-term deterioration.


2. Longer lifespan, lower maintenance
Unpainted or aging stucco can chalk, stain, or erode over time. Painting stabilizes the surface and can
extend the life of the stucco, meaning fewer repairs down the road.


3. Appearance & curb appeal
Stucco can fade, discolor, or just look dated. Paint gives you a fresh, uniform color and lets you
modernize or completely change the look of a building.


4. Hiding imperfections
Hairline cracks, patches, and uneven coloration are far less noticeable once painted—especially with
thicker, flexible coatings.


5. Easier cleaning

Painted stucco doesn’t trap dirt as easily and is simpler to wash compared to bare, porous stucco.


6. It Has Been Painted Already
When the stucco was applied during the building stage of your home, it had pigment added to it to create
the colour. Painting it not only protects the colour but maintains the finish that was intended from the start.


Repairs:

1. Minor crack and holes
Our crews are trained to take care of minor stucco repairs. Cracks will be filled with a high quality elastic
caulking and holes will be filled with a stucco patching compound.


2. Larger patches and repairs
We recommend having a stucco professional address larger stucco reconstruction projects and
patchwork. We will ensure the area is primed and painted after the work is complete.

Recommended Coatings:

1. Acrylic Coatings
Superpaint, Latitude, Duration or Emerald are great options for homeowners with stucco in good condition
in dryer climates. A great base option is Superpaint for those looking for a reliable coating that will last.
Duration adds to longevity due to its thicker formula and Emerald can offer self cleaning properties.


2. Elastomeric or Loxon
Homeowners with stucco that has started to crack and require additional protection may prefer a thicker
coating such as Loxon XP by Sherwin Williams. This product creates a moisture barrier, dries, 3-4x
thicker than an acrylic coating and can bridge almost any crack for long term durability. Additionally, it can
protect against hail damage better than acrylics due to its flexible nature.

Traditional Vs. Acrylic Stucco

There are generally two types of stucco siding. Traditional (masonry) and acrylic. Traditional stucco is
made of masonry materials such as concrete and sand but due to this it is prone to cracking and fading.
Acrylic stucco is made of resins and polymers just like paint. Essentially plastic. This type of stucco is less
prone to cracking overtime but still suffers fading which requires repainting in the long run. Whether you
have acrylic or traditional stucco, Scholars Edge has a solution for you to make sure it lasts and doesn't
require costly residing in the future.