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Get inspiration for your next residential project. From traditional to modern, our look book is filled with the latest trends and styles to build your dream home.
Stucco provides a classic, clean look for both residential and commercial projects, making it a popular choice for architects and builders alike. However, laying traditional stucco can be a labor-intensive task, and while the results may look good at first, exterior walls built with stucco can break down and show significant signs of deterioration over time. In fact, many building codes no longer approve the use of stucco, forcing builders to find alternative solutions for their projects.
Many builders are now turning to stucco-like cladding made from more durable materials, such as fiber cement. Fiber cement is exponentially stronger and more resilient than traditional stucco, making it an excellent option when you want the clean look of stucco without the risk.
Take a look at some of the ways cement board stucco siding proves to be the smarter investment.
As mentioned, traditional stucco exteriors come with a long list of issues. Since it’s such an antiquated building technique, stucco requires unique conditions, skilled labor and routine maintenance in order to last.
The correct application of stucco is key, and the installation process is really a science. Builders must be familiar with advanced masonry units and techniques to work with stucco. Because so many developers are turning to smarter, faux stucco panels, the number of builders experienced in laying traditional stucco is getting smaller. This may make it difficult to schedule skilled laborers, and it may increase labor costs as stucco requires specialized knowledge and expertise.
Laying stucco is a labor-intensive process that requires up to three layers, including a scratch coat, brown coat and finish coat. Because the binding mortar is mixed on-site, the weather needs to be cooperative. In other words, excessively rainy conditions or hot, dry spells may complicate stucco projects and cause delays.
Every job site has the potential to get dirty, but the nature of stucco tends to make projects messier and takes longer to clean up. Anytime mortar is mixed and applied onsite, as with traditional stucco, there is typically a lengthy cleanup operation required.
Once installation is complete, property owners move on to a new set of challenges surrounding stucco siding maintenance. Stucco is particularly susceptible to damage due to various weather conditions.
Excessive moisture from rain, snow or humidity can cause swelling and weakened surfaces, just as dry heat can cause cracks. Bubbles and cracking are common surface blemishes that show up in traditional stucco and should be addressed as soon as possible to delay more serious structural damage.
In addition, water damage and sun exposure can lead to other concerns, like staining and discoloration. While this sort of damage typically only impacts aesthetics, it can compromise the entire curb appeal of a building, negatively affecting the resale value and damaging business or homeowner morale.
Because of stucco’s unique composition, it remains vulnerable to damage. Routine upkeep is an absolute must. This can put a strain on the amount of time, effort and money devoted to a single building.
For all these reasons and more, builders are choosing a smart alternative to stucco siding: fiber cement.
Nichiha fiber cement panels capture the same surface beauty of stucco but without all the material weaknesses. These architectural wall panels are available in a wide range of attractive colors with a stucco-style surface.
The best part? They’re ready to go right out of the box! Unlike traditional stucco, Nichiha stucco board panels arrive ready to go without the need to prime or paint, and they’re built to keep their color consistency.
Nichiha stucco siding panels are relatively simple to install, cutting out all the mixing and drying time involved with traditional stucco.
Get inspiration for your next residential project. From traditional to modern, our look book is filled with the latest trends and styles to build your dream home. 
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In addition to being moisture resistant, Nichiha’s panels come with an engineered rainscreen that helps enhance the exterior’s defense against moisture. This helps the siding last longer and avoid water damage, unlike traditional stucco.
Fiber cement stucco panel siding is a great choice for long-lasting durability that requires little to no maintenance. Nichiha stucco panels rely on a heavy-duty fiber cement composition that delivers high-performance durability year after year.
Nichiha backs up their faux stucco board panels with a great warranty that instills an extra level of confidence. While most traditional stucco exteriors have a warranty that lasts around seven years, Nichiha offers a standard 15-year warranty on its architectural wall panels crafted from fiber cement.
When it comes to stucco exteriors, a modern, stucco-look fiber panel siding simply makes the most sense. Traditional stucco involves a tedious installation process, ongoing maintenance and heightened susceptibility to surface damage. Fiber cement stucco panels are built to last with heavy-duty durability that property owners can count on.
Check out our stucco products to explore your options and make your next siding project one that you’ll be proud of for years to come.
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