Traditional stucco or EIFS: we check first
Two very different wall systems can look alike from the street.
Traditional stucco is a hard cement-based coat over lath. It is heavy, solid and sounds that way when you tap it.
EIFS (exterior insulation and finish system) is foam insulation board with a thin synthetic finish over it. It can sound hollow and may give a little when pressed. EIFS needs care: gentle washing, coatings compatible with the system, and close attention to where water could get behind it, like around windows and at the bottom edge.
We check which one you have before we quote. If it is not clear, we will say so rather than guess.
Hairline cracks
Stucco moves a little with the seasons, and fine cracks are common. Left open, they let water in. We clean them out and fill them with a flexible patch made for masonry so they don’t show back through the paint. Wide cracks, cracks that keep growing, or cracks with staining around them can point to a bigger problem. We show you those instead of covering them up.
Elastomeric or acrylic
Elastomeric coatings go on thick and stay flexible, so they bridge hairline cracks and shed water well. The tradeoff is that they let less moisture vapor out of the wall.
Acrylic exterior paint goes on thinner and breathes better. It will not bridge cracks the way elastomeric does, so crack repair matters more.
Neither is right for every house. We pick based on the cracks, the moisture, and what is already on the wall.
Moisture
Before painting, we look for staining below windows, damage at the bottom of the wall, gutters dumping onto the stucco, and soil or mulch piled against it. Paint will not fix water getting in, and sealing water in makes things worse.
Which paint level fits
- Essential (SuperPaint Exterior): for a budget refresh or a house going on the market.
- Performance (Duration Exterior): our most common pick.
- Showcase (Emerald Exterior): the longest life and best color hold on sunny walls.
What affects the price
Stucco is priced by how much wall there is, how much crack repair it needs and the paint level you pick, with the wash and two coats included. Walls 14 ft or taller add to it. An elastomeric coating is a different product and is priced in your estimate. Trim is priced on its own. You get a written price before we start.
See how we price, go back to exterior painting, or get help choosing a color with a free color consultation. Brick on part of the house? See brick and limewash. We work across the Upstate, including Greenville and Mauldin. Read the best time to paint outside in the Upstate before you plan.