can you paint stucco
Mia Russell
Updated on June 25, 2026
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.
Why you should never paint stucco?
Stucco needs to breath – One of the main reasons you shouldn’t coat your stucco with paint is because stucco is porous. This allows moisture that hits the surface to easily evaporate away. A coat of paint can harm that breathability.
What kind of paint do you use on stucco?
Acrylic Paint. The best exterior paint for stucco is 100% acrylic paint in most cases. Indeed, acrylic latex paint is both durable and flexible, maximizing stucco surface breathability.
Is it better to roll or spray paint stucco?
Stucco can be painted using a roller or with an airless sprayer – a brush is not recommended. A roller works well for small jobs, but can be overwhelming on larger projects. When it comes to big jobs consider using an airless sprayer. It makes putting paint on a breeze – especially on larger jobs.
What is the best way to change stucco color?
The easiest and most efficient way to change the color of a stucco house is to paint it. Stucco may be painted any color that you desire. Painting stucco is similar to painting other surfaces, although it does require a little more time and patience since the texture of the stucco is porous.
Should you power wash stucco?
Yes, you can use a power washer or pressure washer to clean stucco. Just make sure to maintain a good distance between the nozzle and the surface, use the 1,500 PSI, and a 25- or 40-degree nozzle. Although, given the intensity of a power washer, seeking the help of a professional is always best.
How much does it cost to paint a stucco house?
The cost to paint a stucco house will average $4,500 for a 2,000-square-foot home with a new stucco exterior. Smaller houses may only cost $3,600 to paint. Larger houses could cost $7,200 or more. Depending on typical costs for your area and type of project, you might pay between $1.80 and $3.60 per square foot.
Is stucco hard to paint?
You can update old stucco siding with the application of exterior paint. Stucco holds paint well, and as long as the siding is in good condition, prepping for paint is minimal and involves caulking cracks and cleaning the old stucco.
How can I make my stucco house look better?
Painting. Painting stucco is one of the simplest options for remodeling exterior stucco siding. Painting is particularly effective for updating stucco because it doesn’t require you to drill into the stucco, a process that can be difficult and may cause the stucco to crack or chip.
Can you change stucco color?
Stucco is a building material that has been used for centuries to cover the exterior of buildings. It comes in different colors, but you can also change the stucco color without replacing it, saving you time and allowing your homeowner customers to enjoy their new-looking home quicker.
Do I need to prime stucco before painting?
Another best practice is to prime stucco before painting, as primer functions as an intermediary between the stucco and coating. It also stops stucco from drawing moisture from the coating and discoloring it. A good, alkali-resistant primer will help your coating provide greater coverage and better performance.
Should you pressure wash stucco before painting?
If you’re thinking of fixing your stucco’s dirty appearance with a coat of paint, it is important that you give it a good power washing first. Stucco has its tendencies to collect dirt and grime that can ruin the look of your home.
How many coats of paint do I need for stucco?
If you prime the walls, you’ll probably only need a single topcoat. Otherwise, you may need to apply two coats. Follow the paint manufacturer’s directions for best temperatures for applying the paint and when to apply a second coat.
How do you prep stucco before painting?
Prepare the surrounding area. Clean stucco surfaces of dirt and dust. Fix any small cracks with masonry caulk. Prime with a high quality acrylic primer, using a synthetic brush to cut in, and a large napped roller to roll it on.
How often should a stucco house be painted?
Stucco should be repainted every 5-6 years. When painting wood surfaces, 4-7 years is appropriate.
How much does it cost to re color coat stucco?
Color coating stucco costs $1.50 to $8.00 per square foot or $2,600 to $13,600. Stucco color coating adds a thick, pigmented, cementitious layer over existing stucco and provides a longer-lasting finish than paint. However, a color coating’s porous finish does not resist stains or add water resistance.
Can you paint exterior stucco with a roller?
Paint rollers make excellent exterior priming and painting tools, especially on walls made of stucco and brick, which can be difficult to cover completely. While on smooth walls almost any roller cover can work a textured surface, like stucco, brick, or concrete, calls for a roller cover with a nap that’s at least 1”.