Stucco, once limited to earth tones, can now be combined with different pigments to get a variety of stucco colors, including cheerful yellows, soft corals, calming blues, lively greens, rich beiges and sad grays. Then, why paint over it? As surprising as it may seem, there are plenty of reasons to paint stucco, ranging from protecting the exterior from the elements to matching the old color where repairs were made and reviving the curb appeal of a building.
Simple Rules for Choosing Stucco Paint Colors
Before diving into the specifics of choosing stucco paint, there are a few things you should know about this material. Made from Portland cement, limestone, sand and water, stucco is a porous building material that requires proper curing and drying before painting. Applying a coat of paint to damp stucco can lead to cracking, bubbling, wrinkling and other paint problems. That’s because paint interferes with the breathability of stucco, slowing down the curing and drying process, which in turn will negatively affect the paint job. For a long-lasting paint job, professional painters let stucco dry completely and choose a paint system that allows it to breathe (e.g. acrylic latex paint). Now let’s get back to our main topic and discuss how to choose stucco paint colors.
Choosing colors for a stucco paint job can be tricky. Not only do colors look one way on samples, another way on walls and change according to light, they also appear darker on stucco. Additionally, a wrong color palette can have an adverse effect on the aesthetics and resale value of the property, while giving you a feeling of dissatisfaction. To ensure the best results possible, here are four simple tips you should consider when choosing stucco paint colors.
- Select lighter hues. The texture of the surface influence color perception. While a smooth surface reflects light and makes colors appear lighter, a porous surface like stucco absorbs light, so the color will look darker. As well, glossy wall paint will be lighter in color, whereas a matte finish will appear darker.
- Opt for neutral colors. Neutral color schemes can be boring, but they don’t have to be. Today, you can choose from a wide range of combinations, such as desert tan shades mixed with strong color accents like bold yellows or grassy greens, or two-toned exterior color schemes, in which the bottom of the building is painted a dark shade and the top a lighter hue or a different color.
- Get tinted stucco. Using pre-colored stucco will help you achieve a more consistent finish. Though you can find numerous stucco colors that fit a variety of color schemes, you can also use colorants to create custom colors. When adding colorants to the mixture, make sure that you use inorganic pigments, as only these products are compatible with the high pH of stucco. Additionally, complying with the manufacturer’s pigment-to-stucco ratios is imperative to achieve the results expected.
- Consider location. When choosing stucco paint colors, one important thing to consider is whether they blend into the surrounding environment or not. For instance, if you live in Jacksonville, FL, it’s better to choose soft colors specific to a coastal area. Also, make sure that your color palette fits the neighborhood, or it will strike a discordant note.
Just like any other paint colors, stucco paint colors can make a huge difference in the look and feel of a building. If you need help choosing the right stucco color palette or maintaining freshly painted stucco, give us a call at (904)-641-4800, and our professional painters will take care of that for you.