In today's architectural landscape, exterior modern stucco finishes have gained immense popularity for their versatility, durability, and aesthetic appeal.
Homeowners, builders, and designers are taking advantage of the wide range of stucco types and patterns available to achieve stunning, and minimalistic-looking facades.
I will delve into the top 6 stucco types considered modern in 2023 and upcoming 2024, explore alternative stucco patterns, and discuss the beauty and benefits of smooth stucco for exterior applications.
Table of Contents:
2023 Most Popular Exterior Modern Stucco Finishes:
As we approach the end of 2023, several stucco types have gained popularity for modern exteriors. We will provide a list of these stucco types, ranked from the most to least sought-after.
1- Modern Smooth Stucco Finish
Achieving a beautiful texture is all about mastering the art of smooth finishes. Although it is a complex process that requires expertise, the results are truly stunning.
As the name suggests, smooth finishes have an elegant and refined appearance, making them a great choice for Mediterranean-style homes.
One of the significant advantages of smooth finishes is the versatility they offer in terms of color options. Homeowners can easily customize their finishes by incorporating different colors, creating a classic mottled effect.
In addition, smooth finishes are easy to clean and allow homeowners to choose between synthetic or acrylic stucco.
However, it is important to note one drawback of smooth finishes: cracks are more visible and more challenging to patch or repair compared to other alternatives.
Application Technique:
Achieving a smooth finish requires a two-step process. The first coat involves applying a fine cement stucco to create a solid and smooth base layer.
Once the first coat has dried, the second finishing coat is applied and meticulously scraped using a pool trowel until it achieves a smooth and clean appearance.
Smooth Finish Average Cost:
The cost of a smooth finish typically ranges from $7 to $14 per square foot. This higher cost is primarily due to the labor-intensive nature of the job.
Most contractors will charge between $5 and $10 per square foot. If the wall already has texture, the costs may be around $4.50 per square foot.
2- Santa Barbara Finish
Originating in California, the Santa Barbara finish offers a distinctively elegant and irregular texture that sets it apart from a smooth finish. This finish incorporates extra small sand particles to achieve its semi-smooth appearance.
The Santa Barbara finish is commonly found in early adobe-style or Spanish-type homes.
Due to its cement-based composition, the Santa Barbara finish may have slight color variations, which can be easily addressed by painting over them for a more uniform look.
However, it's worth noting that, similar to the smooth finish, repairing or patching cracks in the Santa Barbara finish can be a challenging task.
Application Technique:
Achieving the Santa Barbara finish requires two coats of traditional stucco. The first coat serves as the base layer and should be applied using a pool trowel before being left to dry.
The second, thicker coat (topcoat) is also applied with a pool trowel, then smoothed with a pool float until it sets.
Santa Barbara Finish Average Cost:
On average, the cost of installing the Santa Barbara finish typically ranges from $6 to $9 per square foot. Actual costs may vary depending on factors such as the contractor's labor costs, wall condition, and location.
3- Cat Face Finish (Montalvo or California)
The Cat Face finish gets its name from the resemblance of its textured patches to cat faces. This finish is generally smooth, but intentionally scattered rough patches add character to the walls.
These rough patches form the cat faces and can vary in size and spacing depending on the desired finish. They can be small to large, and closely or widely spaced.
The Montalvo finish is similar to the cat face finish, but it can be achieved using either acrylic/synthetic or traditional stucco materials.
Application Technique:
To achieve the desired cat face finish, it is recommended to apply two coats of stucco. The first coat, known as the rough coat, can be applied using a trowel or stucco sprayer.
After the rough coat has dried, apply the second coat, which is the smooth layer. Use a metal trowel to apply this coat and finish by hand. It is important to allow some irregular rough spots to be visible to create the desired cat face effect.
Cat Face Finish Average Cost:
The cost of the cat face texture can vary based on the size and proximity of the rough patches. On average, you can expect to spend between $6 and $8 per square foot for this finish.
4- Lace Finish (Skip-trowel)
The Lace finish, commonly known as Skip-trowel, is one of the most well-known stucco finishes. It is often the first texture that comes to mind when people think of stucco. This finish is highly popular for both residential and commercial applications because of its versatility and its ability to conceal imperfections after installation.
The Lace finish is available in fine, coarse, and medium patterns. It offers a wide variety of unique looks, allowing homeowners to achieve different finished appearances using the same texture.
This finish is commonly achieved using traditional acrylic stucco.
Application Technique:
To achieve a Lace finish, it is necessary to apply two coats of traditional stucco. The first coat acts as the base coat, while the second coat provides the desired texture. While many installers prefer to apply this texture by hand, it is also possible to spray it on and then knock it down using a wet trowel.
If you wish to create a different pattern, you can forgo the use of a trowel. The coarse, medium, and fine grains can be achieved by adjusting the intensity of the finish application.
Lace Finish Average Cost:
The cost of a Lace finish typically ranges from $4.25 to $7 per square foot. However, it's important to note that the actual cost may vary depending on the condition of the wall. Any necessary preparation work or repairs could significantly increase labor costs.
5- Worm Finish (Swirl or Putz)
Although not as common as other finishes, the worm finish still offers a visually appealing appearance. This finish creates grooves or indentations that resemble small worms pressed firmly against the stucco, hence the name.
To achieve this look, a synthetic stucco mix combined with a special aggregate of materials is used to create the desired texture. The worm finish is available in fine, medium, and heavy options.
Drawback: Applying or patching worm finishes can be challenging as it requires manual application.
Application Technique:
The application of the worm finish is completely done by hand. The first step involves mixing the stucco with special particles to achieve the desired texture.
Next, you need to rub the mixture onto the wall in a circular motion using your hands until you achieve the desired finish. Alternatively, you can use a plastic trowel or an EIFS trowel for this step.
Worm Finish Average Cost:
The average cost of the worm finish ranges from $3 to $5 per square foot. However, it's important to note that the actual costs may be slightly higher due to the additional materials required.
6- Tabby Shell Finish
The tabby shell finish provides homes with a distinct appearance by incorporating oyster shells into the plaster. This creates a textured, mottled effect on the walls. Unlike traditional tabby shell stucco finishes, modern versions include cement to enhance their strength and durability.
Drawback: It's important to note that this finish cannot be applied to synthetic materials or other thin-coated stuccos.
Tabby Shell Finish Average Cost:
The average cost of a tabby stucco finish is between $5.50 and $10 per square foot, which is slightly higher than traditional stucco. This is mainly because of the cost of acquiring oyster shells.
Average Cost of Named Stucco Finishes
Type of finish | Average cost (per sq. ft) |
1- Modern Smooth Stucco Finish | $8 - $14 |
2- Santa Barbara Finish | $6 - $9 |
3- Cat Face Finish (Montalvo or California) | $6 - $8 |
4- Lace Finish (Skip-trowel) | $4.25 - $9 |
5- Worm Finish (Swirl or Putz) | $3 - $5 |
6- Tabby Shell Finish | $5.50 - $10 |
Stucco finishes for the upcoming year 2024 will remain relatively consistent
After careful consideration and analysis, we expect that the popularity ranking of stucco finishes for the upcoming year 2024 will remain relatively consistent. These stucco finishes are known for their reliability and enduring trend in architecture, which is expected to continue for the next decade.
Based on our assessment, the following stucco finishes are anticipated to maintain their popularity:
Modern Smooth Stucco Finish
Cat Face Finish (Montalvo or California)
Santa Barbara Finish
Lace Finish (Skip-trowel)
Tabby Shell Finish
Worm Finish (Swirl or Putz)
As the architectural landscape evolves, these finishes continue to be sought-after choices due to their aesthetic appeal and long-lasting performance.
In conclusion, the projected popularity ranking for stucco finishes in 2024 is expected to closely resemble the aforementioned order. These finishes have proven their worth and are likely to remain in-demand for the foreseeable future.
Please note that this forecast is based on our analysis and understanding, and emerging trends or shifts in preferences may influence the actual popularity ranking.
If you have any further questions or need additional information, please feel free to ask.
FAQs
Should I Paint My Stucco?
The decision to paint stucco depends on personal preference and various factors. One of the advantages of stucco is its versatility, allowing you the freedom to choose whether to paint it or not. However, if you decide to paint stucco for aesthetic reasons, it typically requires repainting every 5-6 years to maintain its appearance.
It's worth noting that many modern stucco finishes utilize cement-based products, which can have a longer lifespan without requiring paint.
How Long Does Stucco Last?
What is the best finish for stucco?
Can you stucco over old stucco?
What is the new stucco called?
Is acrylic stucco better than regular stucco?