Acrylic stucco and traditional stucco are different materials, and having an understanding of each will help you select the material that is best for your home.
Acrylic Stucco
Acrylic stucco is made from acrylic resins or polymers and resembles high-quality paint with sand in it. This will provide your finish with more definition, and unlike traditional stucco, acrylic mixes are wet and white before they are mixed, although you can request a pre-mixed product from the manufacturer.
This kind of stucco is more expensive than traditional stucco, and you will be able to achieve different kinds of textures with acrylic products, although not as many as traditional stucco. Certain manufacturers will offer specialty textures that use different sized aggregates, so you can consider these if you are looking to achieve a custom finish. In terms of colour, acrylic is better because it is rich, vibrant and consistent, so you will not see variation from one bucket to another and will be able to choose from a wide variety of colours depending on the manufacturer.
A primer coat will first have to be applied to the walls to seal it and to help prolong the working time of the material. The stucco is then either trowelled or sprayed on, after which additional techniques are used to achieve a certain texture or finish.
Traditional Stucco
This is made from cement and lime, and its main ingredients are white sand, cement, lime and water. This kind of stucco is available in bags and comes in a powder-like form when unmixed, and this option is cheaper than acrylic stucco, so if you are working with a budget, this may be the better option.
In terms of textures, you can achieve whatever you want because the possibilities are endless, and there are no limits in this regard. Whether you want a smooth finish or a rough one, traditional stucco will help you achieve the exact texture you’re after because different sized sand can be used to help with this aspect. When it comes to colour, they will not be as bright as acrylics because traditional stucco is cement based, and therefore, not as consistent. Every batch that is mixed will look slightly different, and lighter colours are recommended.
The walls must be soaked thoroughly with water before its application, as this will ensure the finish adheres to the substrate. A hawk and trowel are used for its application, although it can be sprayed on as well, after which it can be trowelled down tighter for a uniform coat. Traditional stucco absorbs water and eventually works its way out and dries out.
If you are looking for a stucco company or require stucco repairs, Stucco Wall Systems can help! We specialize in this field, and our contractors will gladly provide you with more information, so if you are in the Oakville, Mississauga or Etobicoke areas, contact us today!