Stucco, as an exterior finish, is a popular choice for commercial projects. It is renowned for its durability, aesthetics, and superior insulation capabilities. It’s an excellent option for building owners looking for a low-maintenance exterior surface because it can last for a century or longer.
What is stucco?
Made of binders, aggregates, and pigments, stucco is a decorative wall material that is usually polished and waxed to create a range of high-end wall finishes. Sand, Portland cement (made of pulverised hydraulic calcium silicates), water, and lime are the usual ingredients of modern stucco. To enhance its structural qualities, it may also include glass fibres and acrylics.
Traditionally, the decorative finish is applied in at least three coats. The initial two layers of plaster are either sprayed on or applied by hand. The final layer can be sprayed, trowelled smooth, textured, or smoothed to a sand finish. It is an ideal service for commercial buildings because it is fire-resistant, insect-resistant, durable, has noise-cancellation qualities, and is an affordable option compared to other high-end finishes.
As a commercial property manager or the building owner, you have to understand that the stucco’s appearance and longevity can be significantly impacted by its installation and maintenance conditions. So, before hiring a commercial painting company for stucco installation, let’s understand these aspects.
Why should you paint stucco?
Stucco, with no paint at all, tends to chip and pop off the building in some places, giving the impression that it is outdated and unkempt. Fixing these issues can also be expensive. By painting the stucco, you can stop it from chipping, fill in any existing cracks, and save money overall.
Additionally, stucco is known for its ability to absorb moisture due to its high porosity. A perfect coat of paint can seal out the moisture and save stucco from any damage. However, not every paint is suitable for stucco, and you must know the paint type before getting it painted.
Which paint is suitable for an exterior stucco surface?
If you ask professional commercial painters in Sydney, they will mostly suggest acrylic paint for the stucco exterior. Why? Because it offers durability and breathability to the stucco surface. As acrylic is breathable, moisture can escape and evaporate, preventing places from becoming wet and potentially causing stains and structural damage. Using acrylic paint, especially acrylic-latex paint, has the added benefit of being simple to clean up, which lowers labour expenses related to project completion.
How to paint the stucco?
A commercial stucco should always be painted by experienced painters. It is usually painted in the following steps-
Step 1: Preparing stucco for painting
Prior to painting, make sure the stucco is clean and in good shape. Dirt, mildew, and loose material can be effectively removed from surfaces with power washing. Make sure the stucco has completely dried before painting if it has been repaired.
Step 2: Priming the surface
A lot of paint is absorbed by freshly laid stucco that is not primed correctly. So, the new stucco should be primed before painting. Select an acrylic primer suitable for use in masonry projects. A primer will provide a more even and vibrant colour and help the paint adhere to the stucco.
Step 3: Painting the stucco
The paint is applied evenly to the surface using a roller or sprayer.
Experts evaluate the coverage after the initial coat has dried. For complete coverage and protection, a second coat might be required.
When do you need to repair stucco?
The following are signs that your stucco may require repair:
- Discoloration or stains that indicate water damage.
- Larger chunks of missing stucco or chips.
- Any cracks, no matter how tiny.
- Surface warping or bulging of the stucco.
How is stucco repaired?
Professionals often follow these steps to repair the stucco-
- Evaluate the damage: At first, the depth and scope of the damage are determined.
- Take out any damaged stucco: Without further damaging the building, the damaged stucco is carefully removed.
- Apply a fresh base layer: This involves mixing fresh stucco and covering the area with it. More than one layer might be needed.
- Apply a finish coat: To match the texture of the existing stucco, a final layer is applied after the base layer has dried.
- Cure the stucco: After that, it is given a certain amount of time to cure.
What are the maintenance tips that work for stucco?
- Sprinklers should be directed away from stucco to prevent water intrusion or discolouration.
- Check for cracks in your stucco once a year.
- Use a garden hose or low-pressure washing to clean stucco once a year or more often as necessary.
- Hire experienced painters every time to repaint the stucco for a commercial project.
Why should you hire professionals to repair and paint stucco in a commercial building?
While stucco is known for being long-lasting, it still requires upkeep. It may be tempting to fix things yourself or use low-cost contractors, but the truth is that stucco painting and repairs need the right equipment, supplies, and knowledge to be completed correctly and long-lastingly. With all the necessary equipment and expertise, an experienced commercial painting company knows how to fix underlying problems like cracking or moisture damage and makes sure the surface is properly prepped and finished.
Ready to refresh your building’s exterior? Contact the team at Priority One Coatings. Our expert commercial painters in Sydney are ready to provide any commercial painting services, including stucco painting and repair.
