Synthetic Stucco??

Question

Any thoughts on Synthetic Stucco?? I know it is not as good as Hard Coat. I typically do not do residential but I am helping my brother-in-law out. They found the perfect house for layout  and lot with mother-in-law suite downstairs in an excellent area with tons of space. The house is from 1990 and just found out from listing agent it is synthetic stucco.

Stucco looks in good shape except around a few small places around garage doors etc. which I read you have to keep resealing every few years. Also I read insurance companies want much more money to insure the property and to get some kind of stucco bond.

What is the life expectancy of synthetic stucco?? This house is 23 year sold. One suggestion said you can rip off all the stucco and go hardi plank or stone etc. The house is 4,000 sq ft if that helps. Trying to get an idea of cost. They can always buy now and I figure redo the outside down the road.

Thanks for any ideas or help. In their price range for what they need product is very limited and goes fast ( under 14 days ). Price on this property is really good and they want to deal.

Steve Babiak · Answer

It can be problematic from my understanding:

http://www.irmi.com/expert/articles/2002/olson07.aspx

http://www.christianbuildinginspectors.com/index8c.htm

http://www.propex.com/C_f_env_EIFS_pbm.htm

Pat L. · Answer

I noticed it was big in Australia when there a year ago & we have aging cement stucco on our home in FL.

But when I started to look into it this is what I found....
https://www.facworld.com/facworld.nsf/doc/stucco

so I just repair & repaint our olde cement stuff when needed.

good luck

Joe Bertolino · Answer

Just saw you were in GA,  with the humidity down there I would think you want to replace it.

Joe Bertolino · Answer

Insurance companies are very tight on Contractors that do synthetic stucco due to construction defect claims but I don't have any companies that have a problem insuring a home with EFIS but we are in a fairly dry climate.  The moisture retention is the issue,  it doesn't breathe so it retains moisture which can lead to mold and wood damage around openings.  Where is the home located?

Bill Gulley · Answer

Mildew can be a problem if not properly applied.

It can be damaged pretty easily, Joel, you could punch a hole in it, I suggest you wear gloves. People (kids and azzes) can scrape it almost like sheetrock with a textured finish, gouge it.

Looks nice, just be prepaired for repairs.

I like stucco, if you need that look use the real thing it will last.

Joel Owens · Answer

In Georgia we mainly have temps of 60 - 100 about 8 months of the year and then 4 cold months down to 20 degrees at the coldest.

This is just an average of what we have here. The summer months can get brutal at 100 plus as we do not have the dry heat but the humid stuff.

Joel Owens · Answer

Thanks Karen.

Mortgage broker mentioned that buyers could possibly use a FHA 203k loan up to 35,000 in repairs on the new appraised value.

This would help with updates to the house and redoing the exterior of the property.

Karen Margrave · Answer

Joel Owens We've never used it. I have however; used Hardiplank, and love it. The area we lived in was very hot in summers 100+ , and a fair amount of rain in winters.

Exterior finishes are one of those things that vary by region, depending on the humidity, etc. If the market is hot, and there's no time for research, I'd make the offer and figure it out during due diligence period. After that many years they may want to rip it off and put on new exterior if the area warrants it. Nothing ages a house like old stucco.