How long should synthetic stucco last?

Most newer homes with exterior stucco have an acrylic-polymer finish, which will expand and contract with the weather. This keeps cracks to a minimum and means the stucco can easily last up to 50 years before needing to be repaired.

What is the problem with synthetic stucco?

Severe Synthetic Stucco Problems

Delamination, which is synthetic stucco detaching from your home's exterior. Rotting of wood beams and trim. Mold and mildew growth, both on interior walls and beneath on the home's base walls. Infestation of termites and other moisture seeking insects.

Is synthetic stucco better?

Synthetic Stucco Performance. Traditional stucco is more durable, fire resistant, and has greater longevity, being able to last up to 50 years with low maintenance. Traditional stucco is also very porous and dries out quickly, while synthetic stucco is not and can have water damage issues if not installed properly.

How long will acrylic stucco last?

When acrylic stucco is painted properly –from surface prep to selecting a high-quality coating specifically made for stucco- the finish can have a long life expectancy, easily more than 15 years.

How do you maintain synthetic stucco?

Use gentle pressure and scrubbing to keep your synthetic stucco durable and resistant to wear. Regular cleaning with the proper technique can ensure your synthetic stucco finish looks its best. Fill a pump sprayer with 1 qt. chlorine bleach and 1 cup trisodium phosphate per gallon of warm water.

Stucco acrylic vs.Traditional Stucco, Synthetic stucco VS cementitious Stucco

Can you pressure wash synthetic stucco?

A: First of all, do not use a pressure washer on a synthetic stucco surface. This type of finish, known as an exterior insulation finish system or EIFS, is a barrier-type system.

How often should you replace stucco?

Stucco is a very durable finish material with a typical life span of 50-80 years or more. Although it is one of the most durable surfaces available, it also features the lowest annual maintenance cost when compared to other siding materials. Stucco is a natural material consisting of an aggregate, a binder, and water.

Is synthetic stucco durable?

Synthetic stucco is 80% lighter than traditional hard-coat and relatively durable, due to containing fiberglass. It also boasts an R-value (the ability to resist heat flow) between 4 and 5.6, making for efficiently insulated homes.

What is the difference between acrylic and synthetic stucco?

Traditional stucco requires a wire mesh underlay to stick to the home's exterior whereas acrylic stucco is a multilayered exterior coating with a foam insulation board, synthetic stucco first coat, fiberglass mesh, and synthetic top coat. Acrylic stucco repels water while classic stucco absorbs water.

Is synthetic stucco waterproof?

New synthetic stucco systems are a different story. These stuccos are made from acrylic polymers and designed to be completely waterproof. They don't breathe at all, which is great except when water does manage to get behind the surface, it has no way to escape, unless it can weep out the bottom of the wall.

Can you remove synthetic stucco?

It provides a huge peace of mind to the homeowner." The first step in removing synthetic stucco is to scaffold the area. A plastic tent is installed over the scaffolding to protect the house from inclement weather. The stucco is removed and disposed of in a drop box.

Why do insurance companies not like EIFS?

A great deal of insurance coverage disputes arose over the years due to the tendency of EIFS to trap water behind a building's walls. As a result, many insurers implemented an EIFS exclusion in commercial general liability policies barring coverage for property damage that results when EIFS is used in construction.

How long does EIFS last?

A. Dryvit EIFS are designed to last for the typical design life of a building. The actual longevity on any specific building will depend mainly on the building maintenance program. Some EIFS facades date back 50-60 years.

When did builders stop using EIFS?

EIFS has been in use since the 1960s in North America, first on masonry buildings, but since the 1990s the majority on wood-framed buildings.

Do people still use EIFS?

Yet today, EIFS are still around. About 100 million square feet of EIFS went on new and remodeled homes last year, rivaling any other siding material.

Is synthetic stucco the same as EIFS?

Synthetic stucco is commonly referred to as Exterior Insulating and Finish System (EIFS). Homes with this exterior finish are often strikingly beautiful, offer great flexibility in home design, and provide energy savings.

Which is better EIFS or stucco?

The fiberglass layer provides more durability, even against hard blows from weather. EIFS is notably lighter than traditional stucco, however. It is 80-percent less heavy than stucco, but it has a higher R-value, coming in between 4 and 5.6, which is notably higher than the 0.20 R-value of regular stucco.

Can you paint over EIFS?

Painting or recoating EIFS is normally unnecessary unless a color change is wanted or unusually stubborn stains cannot be removed. EIFS buildings should not be painted like most surfaces.

How much is a bucket of synthetic stucco?

Cost: The cost for synthetic stucco is higher than traditional stucco and averages out around $40-$50 per 5 gallon bucket. A bucket will cover about 100-250 sq. feet, depending on what texture you choose to go with.

What is the difference between adobe and stucco?

stucco, a relatively "new" form of siding for naturally dried adobe bricks—cement stucco does not stick to traditional adobe bricks, so wire mesh must be used.

Can you replace EIFS with stucco?

Homeowners who have needed to replace EIFS on their homes are also turning to Stone veneer and other materials like Hardie board and stucco because of the great flexibility and personalization they offer.

Does stucco need to be redone?

Stucco is a durable and great-looking exterior finish, but it isn't invincible. Ideally, stucco should be painted every five to ten years. It's important to paint and perform other stucco maintenance on the right schedule to keep your home looking great and to prevent hairline cracks from growing larger.

Is it better to repair or replace stucco?

Stucco repair is often quicker, simpler and considered a short-term solution. Conversely, stucco replacement is more laborious but often considered a long-term strategy to deal with several occurrences of short-term incidents.

Why is my stucco cracking?

Though cracks in stucco can occur due to different factors, including wrong mix proportions, insufficient mixing, poor workmanship, seismic movement and seasonal changes, two leading causes of cracks in stucco are the house settling process and shrinkage-induced stresses, which typically occur during the drying period.