We need our stucco exterior repainted. Is there anything different about painting stucco compared to wood siding?

Painting stucco is quite different from wood siding, and there are specific considerations for Metro Vancouver's climate that your painter should be aware of. Stucco is a porous, cementitious surface that absorbs and holds moisture differently than wood, and our heavy rainfall makes proper preparation even more critical.

Before any paint goes on, stucco must be thoroughly cleaned with a pressure washer to remove dirt, mildew, and chalking from the old paint. Any cracks need to be repaired with elastomeric caulk or stucco patching compound. In Vancouver, hairline cracks in stucco are extremely common due to settling and our seismic activity. Even small cracks allow water infiltration, which leads to bigger problems behind the wall.

For the paint itself, elastomeric coatings are the gold standard for stucco in wet climates like ours. These thick, rubber-like paints bridge small cracks and create a waterproof membrane while still allowing moisture vapour to escape from within the wall assembly. They cost more than standard acrylic latex but provide dramatically better protection against Vancouver's rain. Standard acrylic latex works fine on stucco in good condition, but it won't bridge existing cracks the way elastomeric coatings do.

Stucco also requires more paint per square foot than smooth siding because of its textured surface. A typical stucco home uses 20 to 30 percent more paint than the same sized home with smooth siding, so factor that into your budget.

Leaky condo issues in the Lower Mainland were often stucco-related, so ensure your painter checks for any signs of water damage behind the stucco before simply painting over it. Request an inspection of the substrate condition as part of the quoting process.

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