How Much Does Stucco Siding Cost?

While the use of stucco siding on American homes began in the 1950s, the material can be traced back to the Greeks and Romans, who used a stucco-like mixture for wall frescoes and sculptures. Nowadays synthetic stucco, with a unique set of benefits, is also an option for homeowners. Whether traditional or synthetic, stucco siding is relatively inexpensive, durable, and great-looking. In this buying guide you'll learn more about installing stucco, including how much it costs.

What is Stucco? #

Most people can identify stucco, which is often used to imitate the decor of Spanish Mediterranean architecture, when they see it, but they may not know exactly what stucco is made of. What follows is a breakdown of the materials that comprise traditional and synthetic stucco siding.

Traditional Stucco Siding #

Made from cement, sand, lime, and water, traditional stucco is applied in three coats over a metal wire mesh or netting known as a lath, which is sometimes further reinforced by layer of weather-resistant felt or paper. The coats of stucco are applied by hand or machine and the final layer can be smooth or textured to a variety of finishes. Multiple colors are also available. A special acrylic-polymer finish coating may be added to stucco for improved durability.

Synthetic Stucco Siding #

Also known as Exterior Insulation and Finish System (EIFS), synthetic stucco was used as a wall patch material before it became an alternative to stucco. Used as a home exterior application, it begins with a layer of foam insulation board that is covered with a layer of wire or fiberglass mesh and coats of synthetic stucco. Synthetic stucco, although it looks virtually identical to traditional stucco, is softer to the touch.

Benefits of Stucco #

Both traditional and synthetic stucco are fire resistant, good insulators, provide excellent sound insulation, and come in a wide range of finishes and colors. Each material additionally has unique benefits which are described below.

Traditional Stucco Benefits #

Traditional stucco is a heavier, more substantial material than its synthetic equivalent. As a result, it stands up better to blows that might be made by ladders, wayward golf balls, hail, woodpeckers, or falling branches. Traditional stucco also provides a stronger moisture barrier, making it a better choice in wet climates.

Synthetic Stucco Benefits #

Synthetic stucco is an excellent insulator and is more energy efficient than traditional stucco. It also holds color better and is not prone to the yellowing or fading which might necessitate a fresh paint job. Although less durable than traditional stucco, the flexibility of synthetic stucco means that it can more easily be customized with keystones and other accents.

Stucco Siding Average Costs #

Because the cost of stucco siding depends on a number of factors, including your location and the complexity of the installation, the costs described below may differ from actual stucco prices.

• Stucco siding installation costs $7.50 to $10 per square foot. Synthetic stucco may be slightly more expensive. On a home with 1,500 exterior square feet, that's a total cost of approximately $11,000 to $15,000.
• Costs for smaller jobs, such as stucco repair, at $60 to $120 per square foot, are significantly more expensive.

Use Our Free Service and Find Siding Companies Near You #