As most things in life, each material has its advantages and disadvantages. First of all, one should not confuse the two finishes with each other. Stucco is an exterior plaster made of cement, lime and sand. At the same time, stucco is a natural cement product, while acrylic finish is a synthetic man-made coating. The following article concentrates on several aspects that can be really helpful in deciding in favor of one material or the other.

Corner aids The type of finish chosen determines the impact on the corner aids that should be used.

-        Acrylics tend to work best with a PVC or plastic nose type of corner aid. Plus acrylics bond to the plastic and eliminate the rusting that can occur with wire nose beads.

-        On the opposite, with traditional stucco finish, the nose should be wire. Cement will stick to the PVC but not bond and as the result, it’ll eventually pop off the corners. Besides, keep in mind that the PVC is flexible while the cement stucco finish is not.

Water repellency

-        Like all cement products, traditional stucco absorbs surface moisture and darkens when wet. However, properly applied cement plaster basecoat will seal moisture out and be vapor-permeable. Specialists recommend using finish coat materials (including paint) with a “breathable” membrane. Nowadays, many cement stucco manufacturers produce clear sealers that provide the same water repellant benefit as acrylics. Most types of cement stucco last only a year or two and need to be reapplied every few years.

-        Acrylics repel surface moisture but the moisture will pass through as a vapor. Consequently, acrylics should never be mistakenly used or sold as a method to seal the building from water penetration. Besides, acrylic finish should never be used on flat surfaces or other areas of possible standing water accumulation, because they can become softer and more exposed to moisture. A considerable advantage of acrylic finish stems from its ability to retain the color when wet and is especially recommended in wet conditions.

The general advice for every house owner is to use only recognized products by manufacturers with a proven track and service record. Experts also recommend pre-manufactured cement stucco finish coats over site mixed options. Nevertheless, remember that no matter whether you use stucco or an acrylic finish, it is particularly crucial to follow recommendations and guidelines of the manufacturers.