Stucco isn't siding
Stucco is a cement-based plaster, and it behaves differently from wood or fiber-cement siding when it's painted. It's rough and porous, so it drinks paint. It cracks as it ages and the house moves. It can hold moisture. And its texture makes coverage slower and harder to judge than on a flat board. Those traits are why stucco repaints are priced differently. This guide explains what a painter in Billings, Montana weighs when quoting one, and gives no prices.
Local background
The City of Billings says Billings is the largest city in Montana and the seat of Yellowstone County. The U.S. Census Bureau counted 117,116 people in Billings in the April 1, 2020 census. Both are printed as their sources state them. Neither tells you anything about a particular wall; the stucco itself decides the quote.
Texture and porosity
A smooth stucco finish takes paint much like a plaster wall. Heavier textures, such as dash or lace finishes, have far more surface area and deep pockets that a roller skips over. Painters often spray stucco and then back-roll or back-brush to push the coating into the texture. That second pass adds labor but gives better coverage and bonding. Unpainted or newly patched stucco is very absorbent and may need a primer or sealer first, or the finish coat will soak in unevenly.
Cracks and repairs
Stucco cracks are a big part of the job:
- Hairline cracks are often filled with a flexible patching product or bridged by a thick, elastic coating.
- Wider cracks may need to be opened up, filled with a stucco patch and textured to match.
- Damaged areas, such as around a hose bib, at the base of walls or where something hit the wall, may need a patch with new stucco that has to cure before painting.
Matching texture on patches is a skill; poorly matched patches show through paint. Ask how cracks will be treated and how the texture will be matched. Stucco repairs beyond small patches may need a plasterer.
Cleaning
Stucco holds dirt, chalk, efflorescence (a white, powdery mineral deposit) and mildew in its texture. A thorough wash, usually at moderate pressure to avoid damaging the surface, and a full drying period are needed before primer. Efflorescence should be cleaned off and its moisture source considered, since painting over it can lead to peeling.
Coatings
- Acrylic masonry paint is a common choice; it breathes and goes on like regular exterior paint.
- Elastomeric coatings go on much thicker and can stretch over hairline cracks. They need more material and more careful application, and they can trap moisture if the wall has a moisture problem.
- Primers and sealers for masonry help on new patches, chalky surfaces and very porous walls.
The coating choice changes material use and labor considerably. Ask the painter which they recommend and why, and what the label says about application thickness and coats. Our exterior painting page explains more.
Trim, details and access
Stucco houses often have wood or foam trim, window surrounds, metal flashing and doors that take different products. Masking around windows and fixtures before spraying is time-consuming. Upper walls and gable ends may need tall ladders, lifts or scaffolding. All of that shows up in the price.
Older coatings
EPA runs the Renovation, Repair and Painting program in states it has not authorized; Montana is not among the states listed here that run their own EPA-authorized programs. Older painted stucco and trim can carry old coatings, so if scraping or sanding is involved, ask how chips and dust will be contained and collected.
Comparing stucco bids
- How will cracks be repaired, and how will texture be matched?
- How will the walls be cleaned, and how long will they dry?
- Primer or sealer, then which coating: acrylic or elastomeric?
- Spray with back-rolling, or roll only?
- What trim, doors and flashing are included?
- How are the upper walls reached?
The pricing guide and the surface preparation guide explain more of what drives the cost.