--- title: "The Limitations of Stucco as an Exterior Finish: How Rhino Shield Overcomes Them" description: What are the downsides of using stucco? How do I mitigate the drawbacks of using stucco? image: https://rhinoshield.com/hubfs/Rhinoshield_September2023/images/stucco_house_min13.jpg --- [FIND A DEALER](https://rhinoshield.com/find-a-dealer) Menu ![Mobile Menu](https://rhinoshield.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Rhinoshield_September2023/images/menu-mobile-light.svg) [![RS_Logo_ResidentialHorizontalTag](https://rhinoshield.com/hs-fs/hubfs/RS_Logo_ResidentialHorizontalTag.png?width=1728&height=677&name=RS_Logo_ResidentialHorizontalTag.png "RS_Logo_ResidentialHorizontalTag")](https://rhinoshield.com/) [![Request a Quote](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/43713917/2d739844-9777-421f-8fe9-e4d68fbc4986.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/43713917/2d739844-9777-421f-8fe9-e4d68fbc4986) Menu [«  View All Posts](https://rhinoshield.com/articles) # The Limitations of Stucco as an Exterior Finish: How Rhino Shield Overcomes Them January 3rd, 2024 | 3 min. read By [admin](https://rhinoshield.com/articles/author/admin) ![](https://rhinoshield.com/hubfs/Rhinoshield_September2023/images/stucco_house_min13.jpg) Stucco, a time-tested building material, has been used for thousands of years to texture and protect the exterior surfaces of homes and buildings. Its durability and versatility have made it a popular choice, especially in regions with warmer climates and limited access to lumber.   However, here at Rhino Shield, we’re often asked, **“What are the downsides of using stucco?”** and **“How do I mitigate the drawbacks of using stucco?”** Today, we’ll answer those questions to give you a better idea of how our product and procedures complement stucco. ** ** ## **What Is Stucco?** Historically, stucco’s components were cement, sand, lime, and water. Although, most modern stucco includes the added benefit of polymers for enhanced flexibility. This combination forms a plaster that people today typically use for siding a home’s exterior.   Based on the [findings](https://www.census.gov/econ/overview/co0400.html) of the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC), at **28 percent of homes built for single families,** stucco siding was the most popular option in 2021. ** ** ## **Stucco's Strengths** Stucco's longevity in the home development and improvement market can be attributed to a few factors. - Its resilience in hot and dry climates - Its cost-effectiveness - Its availability   These benefits have made stucco a go-to option for residential and commercial construction, **particularly in hot and arid regions** like California, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico. It is more prevalent in these environments because the raw materials are more readily available, **which reduces cost.** And since stucco is prone to water-related issues, dry areas are an optimal choice for its use.   In recent years, wood has become an **expensive** building material, leading consumers to look for other options. Stucco has always been a popular alternative because, unlike wood: - It doesn’t rot. - It isn’t susceptible to termites. - It’s not as prone to water damage.   ## **Stucco’s Limitations** One of the significant issues with traditional stucco is its tendency to fade over time. **Exposure to sunlight can cause the color of stucco to diminish,** which can mar the aesthetic appeal of your home. Moreover, **stucco is prone to cracking.** While minor cracks are common, a bad application or unchecked cracking can lead to costly repairs. This may lead to a complete redo of the stucco finish.   **Stucco's tendency to absorb and retain heat** can be problematic, especially in warmer seasons. Additionally, **stucco is a poor insulator,** which means it won’t easily trap cold air from inside your home. This can result in increased energy costs to keep your house cool.   Stucco's porous nature also makes it **susceptible to water retention**, which can encourage the growth of unsightly and damaging biological growth. ** ** ## **The Rhino Shield Solution** Rhino Shield, a cutting-edge ceramic, home-exterior coating addresses these limitations head-on. Here's how: ** ** 1. ** Color Fading Prevention:** Rhino Shield offers a protective coating that only rejuvenates the appearance of a stucco structure. The paint is also **UV resistant,** which slows color fading, ensuring that your home maintains its curb appeal for years. ** ** 1. ** Crack Resistance:** Unlike traditional paint, Rhino Shield is designed to **coat over** minor cracks and bridge new ones. This added layer of protection not only enhances the appearance but also ensures the longevity of your home's exterior. ** ** 1. ** Heat Absorption Reduction:** Rhino Shield's innovative technology includes UV reflection properties that counteract the heat-absorbing tendencies of stucco. This ceramic coating system will keep stucco walls cooler in the summer and **lower energy costs.**   1. ** Water Repellent Technology:** Stucco's vulnerability to water retention and bio-growth is countered by Rhino Shield's **water-repellent** technology, keeping your home's exterior clean and preventing mold, mildew, and algae growth. ** ** 1. ** Durability and Elasticity:** Rhino Shield's durability and elasticity allow it to move with your home as it settles and expands, **masking the stucco’s hairline cracks and splits** behind our exterior coating. This feature reduces the need for frequent maintenance, as you won’t have to address frequent blemishes. ** ** 1. ** Ideal for Stucco Surfaces:** Rhino Shield's thick coating is perfectly suited for stucco surfaces. Its ability to adhere to and cover the rough and porous stucco ensures a seamless and even finish.   1. ** Our Comprehensive Application Process: **When applying stucco to a home, a Rhino Shield contractor will typically: - Repair the cracks. - Trench the foundation as needed. - Apply our unique primer that **seals, penetrates, and bonds** to the stucco substrate. - The ceramic topcoat is applied over the primer. - Most stucco jobs are backrolled with a paint roller to help with the product coverage. Back rolling helps to seal all the crevices and terrain of a stucco wall ensuring uniform coverage and protection.   Learn more about Rhino Shields installation process and cost [here.](https://rhinoshield.com/articles/a-comprehensive-guide-to-rhino-shield-cost-and-installation-process)   In a world where the price of lumber continues to increase, Rhino Shield can provide you with the technology to maintain your more budget-friendly stucco surface free of its inherent drawbacks. The benefits you can expect include: - **Exterior crack and split prevention** - **Color retention** - **Heat reflectance** - **Water repellence ** - **Longevity** ** ** What’s better, if you’re unsatisfied with our product, we provide a **25-year transferrable, non-prorated warranty** that covers chipping, flaking, and peeling. If you’re interested in Rhino Shield’s advantages, you can check out our link below for a free, no-obligation quote. 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