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    Alameda, CA - Family Owned & Operated

Stucco & Plastering

Common Homeowner Questions

Click on question to see answer, or scroll for complete FAQ:
Wondering about stucco texture, color coated stucco vs painting, and what is the best solution for your home? Here are some of the most frequently asked questions we get from homeowners:

Q: What are the benefits of stucco?

A: Added fire resistance, better insulation against heat as well as against cold, structural strength, and maintenance-free color coats. Instead of painting your house every five years, these finishes will last the life of the building. However they do start to mellow in appearance with the passage of time.

Q: What kind of textures are possible with stucco?

A: Plaster, applied in a plastic state, may create a great variety of design configurations or texture patterns. It has been a popular finish for most of history, and can be applied to all types of buildings: from single-family homes to high-rise structures.

Need to match a specific finish? We offer every variety from smooth to sandy textures. From adobe finish to skip trowel or spanish lace, we can do it all! Since it lasts the lifetime of the building, redecoration is necessary only when a change in color is desired.

Q: What types of wood style can you stucco over?

A: Almost all wood can be plastered over - including horizontal or diagonal siding as well as T-one-eleven (which if not maintained, nears the end of its life cycle quickly). Although Ship-lap siding and shingles are about the only sidings we recommend removing, we have applied stucco over these on occasion.

Q: Can you apply a color coat over painted stucco?

A: Yes, however the painted surface must be prepared properly. It must be clean and then we apply a bonding agent over the painted surface. This adheres color coats to painted surfaces.

Q: Can I color coat just around a window?

A: Yes and no; with color coating, it's impossible to get an exact match to create a completely seamless transition from the existing stucco to the patchwork. For a color coated patch to fully blend in, you have to color the whole wall. Color coat is not like paint, it cannot be blended in anywhere.

Q: Why does stucco darken when wet?

A: Because it is porous and not sealed like paint. When it absorbs water it darkens. This is normal and not a problem, the waterproof layer is behind the stucco.

Q: Is it cheaper to paint or stucco?

A: Painting is often, but not always, cheaper in the short run. It’s much easier to spray or roll on five gallons of paint on a single story home than it is to lath (paper and wire) the same home, then add fifteen tons of sand and cement to it after its lathed. But then you must repaint every 5-10 years. With a maintenance free stucco finish you will never have to refinish your home again.

These are some of the most common questions we are asked. If you have any other questions, please contact us.