Is Recladding a Synthetic Stucco House Good or Bad?

Process

• Synthetic stucco siding consists of several layers that include a foam insulation board, fiberglass mesh and an acrylic coating that resembles traditional stucco. Recladding a synthetic stucco house involves removing those layers and making any necessary repairs to the framing or sheathing beneath them. The sheathing is the plywood, or other material, that covers the framework to form a solid wall. Each layer of the synthetic stucco is reapplied after repairs are completed.

Water Damage

• A contractor may recommend recladding when synthetic stucco is in poor condition to avoid further damage to the house. Synthetic stucco is prone to denting and cracking when hail, tree limbs or other objects strike it. Recladding may be necessary if significant amounts of water seep into the cracks and crevices of damaged stucco. Water can rot the wood framing and sheathing beneath the surface. Recladding the home would be the only way to access the rotten wood and replace it.

Improper Installation

• Improper installation is another circumstance that may make recladding a home necessary. For example, Safeco Insurance, a home insurance provider, notes that no portion of synthetic stucco should make contact with the ground. The stucco will hold moisture absorbed from the ground, which potentially will cause rot and excessive mold growth throughout the structure.

Considerations

• Recladding can lead to bad results when homeowners handle the process themselves because it generally isn't a do-it-yourself project. Furthermore, installers usually need to be certified by a synthetic stucco manufacturer to avoid invalidating the product warranty. Some homeowners unwittingly damage synthetic stucco by piercing the surface to attach mailboxes, street numbers, garden hose holders and other items. Each time the surface is punctured, there's a chance water will penetrate the opening, cause stucco to buckle and deteriorate the underlying framework.