Stucco is one of the most popular building materials in the United States, and it’s not a new invention either. This building material dates back centuries, but the stucco texture types and styles available today are more varied than ever!

This article will cover the different stucco textures, techniques, the dos and don’ts of stucco refinishing, and custom stucco color matching.

Standard stucco textures include:

• Smooth

• Fine

• Coarse

• Swirl

So what are the 3 standard stucco textures?

You can have your stucco done in several different textures, including smooth/fine, coarse, and swirl. The surface of stucco largely depends on the size of the aggregate that is mixed —smooth being very fine grains and coarse, very large.

• Smooth Stucco Texture: Similar to the look of paint on a wall, this option is popular for modern stucco projects but requires skill as it is difficult and time-consuming to achieve this look. This texture can also be referred to as ‘fine stucco’ because it uses very fine material like sand in the mixing process.

Example of smooth stucco texture

• Coarse Stucco Texture: True to its name, because of the size of aggregate in the material used for installation, coarse stucco texture is an excellent option for stand-out, bold stucco projects.

Example of coarse stucco texture

• Swirl Stucco Texture: Swirl refers to the texture and trowel technique of stucco application that shows swirls and patterns on the surface of the stucco.

Example of swirl stucco texture

Stucco Techniques

The main types of tools used to achieve the specific look and feel of all stucco textures and techniques are:

Stucco Lath: A traditional method for applying stucco. Stucco lath is made of metal mesh and attached to the surface on which you’re applying stucco.

Stucco Trowel: This technique involves using a trowel to apply the stucco directly onto your surface. It’s one of the most popular methods for applying stucco today because it provides a smooth finish that’s easy to clean up after application. It’s also great if you’re doing an interior project because it creates an even wall texture without leaving any marks behind from tools like knives or brushes (which tend to leave grooves in their wake.)

The four most popular stucco techniques are: 

• Sand stucco technique

Sand Stucco Technique

• Lace stucco technique

Lace Stucco Technique

• Cat face stucco technique

Cat Face Stucco Technique

• Santa Barbara stucco technique

Santa Barbara Stucco Technique

Why you should never attempt to patch, re-surface or repair your stucco

If you’re looking for a way to make your stucco look new again, you might think you have to paint or caulk the cracks and problem areas. But that’s not true.

When it comes to resurfacing or repairing stucco, there are two options: resurfacing the top layer but not the entire system (technical name: redash) and fully refinishing and resurfacing the whole system.

Re-finishing and resurfacing are better than patching and repairing because they will make your stucco look smooth and seamless. Patch repairs are temporary and can cause long-term damage, so they can never be as good as a full refinishing job.

If you’re considering patching, repairing, or painting your stucco without hiring a professional, STOP! The best thing homeowners can do is call a professional who will be able to tell whether or not their home needs a full refinish—and then take care of it.

Choosing the perfect stucco texture: See and feel the difference with V.A.M.P. Stucco

Stucco is a great way to give your home or business a new look. But it’s not just about the aesthetics—the texture and finish of stucco can also make a huge difference in how the material feels and looks.

At V.A.M.P. Stucco Contractors, we’ve got a wall in our Englewood office covered in different stucco textures and techniques so you can see and feel what each one looks like to help you choose. We’ll also help you find the right texture and technique for your project and budget!

V.A.M.P. Stucco: The only mobile custom color matching stucco contractor in Colorado

If you’re looking to refinish the stucco on your home, you probably want to get it right the first time.

That’s why V.A.M.P. Stucco is the only stucco contractor with a mobile Custom color matching vehicle. Our color matching expert arrives on-site to perfectly match the new stucco project to your existing stucco, ensuring that you end up with an exterior that looks just like what you had before—only better!

With our custom color matching service, we can get your new system to match your existing stucco system. We’ll even use Sherwin Williams colors with color options to ensure your exterior looks exactly how it should.

In addition to our custom color matching service, we also offer free samples of stucco so that you can see how each type of stucco feels before deciding which one suits your needs best.

Many factors go into choosing the right stucco texture for your home. You’ll want to consider everything from how long it will last, how much maintenance it requires, and what kind of look you’re going for before making your final decision. The good news is that plenty of options are available, so we think anyone can find something they like!

About V.A.M.P. Stucco:

When it comes to stucco reskimming, re-dashing, repairs, or installation on your Colorado home, always call V.A.M.P. Stucco, a five-star rated Colorado stucco contractor. Quality is at the heart of everything from no-pressure, non-commissioned estimations to our licensed, certified, and skilled in-house stucco installers.

V.A.M.P. Stucco is licensed in all of Denver Metro and surrounding counties, and certified and trained to properly install all major stucco products. We pride ourselves on the quality of products we put on your home and our staff, all of which are in-house and insured, which means no subcontractors – we are always accountable for the quality of work.

We install, reskim, re-dash, refresh and restore stucco in all areas within 1 hour or 45-mile radius from our location at 2180 W. Cornell Ave Englewood, CO.

Including:

• Denver

• Aurora

• Englewood

• Broomfield

• Superior

• Lafayette

• Larkspur

• Greenwood Village

• Littleton

• Morrison

• Evergreen

• Roxborough Park

• Sedalia

• Castle Rock

• Parker

• Highlands Ranch

• Centennial

• Golden

• Lone Tree

• Lakewood

• Wheatridge

• Arapahoe County

Contact us today for a free, no-obligation estimate 

V.A.M.P. is a family-owned stucco contractor serving the Denver Metro area, including Arvada, Aurora, Centennial, Castle Rock, Commerce City, Denver, and Englewood. We specialize in everything from completely installing stucco systems to refinishing and resurfacing existing stucco, including a custom color matching guarantee on all of our jobs. See what our customers have to say about V.A.M.P. Stucco.

Hear from our satisfied customers

“If you are in need of stucco work, look no further! VAMP has not only exceeded our expectations but will be our go-to company going forward. The VAMP team did a phenomenal job from start to finish, from taking the utmost care to protect our home and property prior to work, to leaving everything completely spotless when they were done (patios, walkways, windows, you name it). A huge amount of effort was made to get as exact a color match as possible, and the stucco looks absolutely perfect. VAMP takes pride in their work, and they stand behind it 110%. We cannot rave about VAMP enough!”

-Pascal B., Denver, CO