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April 19, 2023

Should you go with traditional, or synthetic stucco?

When to Pick Synthetic Stucco Over Traditional Stucco How should you decide between synthetic stucco and traditional stucco for exterior siding needs? Both options have distinct differences that should help you select the one best suited to your home. Synthetic stucco, also known as elastomeric cement or masonry fiber reinforced stucco (MFRS), is composed of […]

When to Pick Synthetic Stucco Over Traditional Stucco

How should you decide between synthetic stucco and traditional stucco for exterior siding needs? Both options have distinct differences that should help you select the one best suited to your home.

Synthetic stucco, also known as elastomeric cement or masonry fiber reinforced stucco (MFRS), is composed of acrylic resins, polymers, and sand to form an appearance resembling glue or high-grade paint in texture.

Cost

Stucco siding options add character and charm to any home, but there are various kinds of stucco available - the right one depends on where you live and your individual requirements.

Traditional stucco is a cement-based finish, available in an assortment of textures and colors, that provides homeowners with an economical option to apply siding themselves and save money.

Elastomeric requires less maintenance, since it dries much quicker. However, frequent repainting will be required to maintain its look.

Synthetic stucco is more durable than its natural counterpart as it doesn't crack when exposed to extreme temperature fluctuations, providing energy efficiency benefits and lower utility bills. Additionally, synthetic stucco insulation helps increase energy efficiency and decrease utility costs by keeping heat inside.

Synthetic stucco can last up to 50 years with proper maintenance and care, making it an excellent option for homes with high humidity levels that could potentially prevent moisture retention and mold growth. Its durable yet elastic properties also make it suitable for use against moisture or mold growth in these conditions.

EIFS (Synthetic stucco) and traditional stucco are cost-effective options that can be installed by contractors depending on the size and location of your home. When selecting your contractor, be sure they have experience installing this particular type of stucco.

Modern stucco can be applied both indoors and outdoors. Installation requires more skill due to a complex series of layers that must be applied correctly for successful results.

Though more expensive than its traditional counterpart, this material offers superior protection and insulation against water intrusion, withstanding even heavy rainfall without becoming damaged.

Durability

When it comes to durability of siding materials, traditional and synthetic stucco are two primary options available to you. Which option best fits your home depends on various factors including how long you plan on staying there as well as weather conditions in your area.

When selecting siding for your home, the most essential consideration should be choosing a material that lasts long and requires little upkeep. Both traditional stucco and synthetic stucco have their own distinct advantages and disadvantages; to make an informed choice it is vital that research be performed thoroughly prior to making a final decision.

Stucco is an attractive exterior wall finish option, and offers durability and fire resistance - not to mention creating an elegant aesthetic for any home.

Portland cement mixed with sand and lime plaster creates a versatile material, suitable for an endless array of textures and colors - yet applying it smoothly can be tricky!

Traditional stucco is less durable than synthetic stucco and requires more frequent repainting. Furthermore, it may crack and chip if subjected to repeated freeze-thaw cycles or its foundation shifts.

To avoid such issues, it's essential that the material selected has a water-resistant barrier and drainage cavity within its walls, to prevent excess moisture from collecting within them and leading to mold and rot issues. This prevents stagnant water from getting trapped within walls that could otherwise lead to mold and rot growth.

Color should also be taken into consideration when choosing materials, with traditional stucco being more subtle in appearance than acrylic with its extensive palette of vibrant hues.

Synthetic stucco offers a more vibrant finish that doesn't fade, as well as being resistant to chalking, fading and discoloration compared to other types of siding.

EIFS (Exterior Insulation and Finish System) is a type of synthetic stucco designed to be more flexible than its traditional counterpart, in order to absorb building movements without cracking. Reinforced mesh netting protects its base layers from cracking due to shifting foundations or thermal expansion, helping ensure long-term success of EIFS applications.

EIFS installation can be more time and labor intensive than stucco application, yet can still be managed by professional installers, making it an attractive option for homeowners without either the time or expertise to tackle such projects themselves.

Maintenance

When it comes to maintaining the exterior of your building, there are various options available to you for exterior maintenance: traditional stucco and synthetic stucco are two options that could work. Synthetic stucco offers low maintenance costs that lasts for 50 years with proper care.

Before selecting the ideal material for your home or business, there are a number of considerations you must keep in mind when making this choice. First is cost, which varies based on which type of stucco is used and its durability.

Maintenance considerations should also be carefully considered when selecting your stucco finish, with traditional stucco requiring regular patching and caulking for proper condition; alternatively, repainting may become necessary if its current hue doesn't suit you.

EIFS siding solutions require professional installation to avoid water damage and moisture intrusion that could compromise the structure of your building and require costly repairs in the long run. When dealing with EIFS solutions, professional installation should always be sought as mistakes could cause water intrusion that leads to further water damage that requires costly repairs in the form of water damage repairs in the form of costly structural repairs and renovation.

To address this problem, it's necessary to install a drainage cavity between your wood substrate and synthetic stucco layer, so water doesn't become trapped between these two layers and cause mold or rot to grow. This helps ensure moisture doesn't remain trapped between them and contributes to mold growth or rot in any form.

Make sure to inspect your system for signs of water damage by conducting either a visual or interior moisture mapping inspection.

Detecting problems quickly is best accomplished using a moisture probe inserted into a wall to measure moisture levels within your system and then taking appropriate actions to remedy any deficiencies found therein. Once this information has been compiled, repairs measures may need to be implemented accordingly.

If your EIFS system appears to be leaking or trapping water, it is wise to seek professional inspection and repair. This may involve visual examination or thermography scan.

Appearance

Synthetic stucco (also referred to as exterior insulation and finish system or EIFS) has become an increasingly popular exterior wall siding option for homes. It provides numerous advantages over traditional stucco, such as greater aesthetic versatility and cost effectiveness.

Synthetic stucco is one of the key advantages to its durability: it can be painted in various colors and textures to give homeowners complete creative control when it comes to personalizing the look and feel of their home. This allows homeowners to achieve long-term appeal for their residence while establishing an enduring look with their design decisions.

Synthetic stucco stands apart from its traditional counterpart in how it's applied to walls. While both use foam insulation board as their base coat and fiberglass mesh as the final top coat, traditional stucco is typically applied using one thick coat over its insulation board for greater rigidity.

By employing a more durable sand-based cement mix, this approach produces a longer-lasting finish with less maintenance requirements than acrylic stucco.

Traditional stucco, also referred to as hard coat stucco or cement stucco finish, consists of a mixture of Portland cement, lime, sand and water that produces an exterior finish with rough to smooth textures depending on the amount and size of sand used in its creation.

Acrylic stucco is often more affordable, and offers more color choices, while not having as many texture choices as epoxy stucco. However, epoxy offers similar durability without breaking the bank.

Traditional stucco differs from acrylic stucco in that it absorbs and eventually dries out any water that enters. This could present issues for homes in areas that experience frequent rainy weather conditions.

Are you ready to transform your home or business with beautiful, durable stucco? Look no further than Wallder Construction LLC. Our team of expert stucco professionals is dedicated to delivering top-quality results on every project. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and take the first step towards enhancing the beauty and value of your property. Don't settle for anything less than the best – choose Wallder Construction LLC for all your stucco needs!

Disclaimer: This post was created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence, and we have edited it to the best of our abilities for accuracy and relevance. Please note that pricing may vary and is not one-size-fits-all. Additionally, we have no affiliation with any of the companies or products listed in this post besides Wallder Construction LLC.

Article written by Samuel
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