The Best Paint for Stucco House Exteriors

Stucco lends a beautiful texture to the outside of your home—as long as you maintain it correctly. Paint your stucco every five to 10 years using the right paint to keep your home protected against the elements while looking great at the same time.

Whether you’re in one of the hotter regions of the U.S., like the Southwest, or in an area that gets colder and has a proper winter, you need a paint that meets your needs and budget. Let's look at a few of the best paints for stucco.

Acrylic

In settings that don’t get a lot of rainfall, 100% acrylic latex paint is the best paint for stucco because it checks the boxes mentioned above: It’s durable, breathable, and flexible. Acrylic paint is one of the easiest paints to work with, and it dries quickly—the downside is that you might not have time to go back to fix mistakes, but you can just paint over them. 

If you’re concerned about the cost to paint a stucco house, then acrylic tends to be the most affordable option, costing $20 to $50 per gallon on average. Acrylic latex paint is also widely available at any home improvement store. 

Pros

• Durable

• Breathable

• Flexible

• Widely available

• Easy to work with

• Relatively affordable

• Wide range of colors

• Eco-, kid-, and pet-friendly

• Can last five to 10 years on properly prepared stucco surfaces

Cons

• Dries very quickly

• Doesn’t adhere to stucco as well as elastomeric or masonry paint

• Not as waterproof as elastomeric paint

Elastomeric

As the name suggests, elastomeric paint has elastic, flexible properties. Elastomeric paint is applied as a liquid and dries into a rubber coating on your stucco. It’s probably no surprise that elastomeric paint’s rubbery quality makes it a great choice as a waterproofing paint. Still, it takes much longer to dry than other paints—about 72 hours—and it’s not exceptionally breathable. Elastomeric paint costs $35 to $50 per gallon on average.

Pros

• Water-resistant

• Can fill and cover hairline cracks in stucco

• May last up to seven years longer than acrylic when applied to properly prepared stucco surfaces

Cons

• Limited color selection

• Can take up to 72 hours to completely cure

• Not very breathable and can trap moisture in the stucco

• Lack of breathability can lead to mold and mildew problems as well as deterioration in freeze/thaw cycles

• Can be more costly than acrylic paints

• More labor-intensive to apply and should be done by a professional painter

• Can only repaint with another coat of elastomeric paint

• When applied over multiple layers of paint, the weight can cause older paint to delaminate

Masonry

Masonry paints are formulated to adhere well to surfaces like concrete, brick, cement blocks, and stucco. Its strengths include high durability and resistance to moisture and mildew. You can find masonry paints at most home improvement stores. However, the color selection is limited. 

Masonry paint is a good choice if you can find the color you want because it combines the best qualities of acrylic paint and elastomeric paint. The cost also lands between acrylic and elastomeric. Masonry paint costs $25 to $50 per gallon.

Pros

• Durable yet flexible

• Bonds strongly to stucco

• High moisture and mildew resistance

• Relatively easy to find

Cons

• Limited color selection

• The same quantity covers less area than acrylic paints

Why Does the Paint Type Matter?

Although stucco doesn’t need paint on top of its finish coat, topping stucco siding or veneer with two coats of paint is a best practice, just like with aluminum or vinyl siding. The best type of paint for stucco is durable and adheres well.

It also needs to interact appropriately with moisture, being waterproof from the outside but allowing vapors to escape from the inside without blistering or peeling. And, of course, the paint you use on your stucco home should be as low maintenance as possible.

DIY vs. Hiring a Professional Painter

Acknowledging the intricacies and expertise required to paint stucco's rough and uneven surface compared to other siding materials is essential when deciding to DIY or hire a pro.

The coarse and porous nature of stucco can cause paint to adhere or absorb unevenly, resulting in an unsightly finish. Also, damaged stucco surfaces must be addressed before painting, requiring meticulous preparation.

If you're contemplating a DIY endeavor, conduct thorough research to understand the complexities involved fully.

For optimal results and to safeguard your investment, it's advisable to seek the services of a skilled professional exterior painter. Their experience and specialized tools can prevent potential damage, deliver high-quality work,  and save you time and money.

Cost to Paint Stucco

The typical cost to paint a stucco house falls between $3,600 and $7,200, with an average national cost of $4,500.

The primary factors influencing this cost are the size of your home and the type of paint you choose for the project. For example, elastomeric paint, the gold standard for stucco known for its remarkable resilience and 10-year lifespan, can drive your total expenditure up to $8,500 for a 2,000-square-foot home.

Lastly, remember that damaged stucco will require repairs before painting, adding to your out-of-pocket costs.

Josh Maday contributed to this piece.