Can You Stucco Over Existing Stucco?

When it comes time to give your home a facelift, you may wonder if you can stucco over stucco. Not only is it possible, but avoiding old stucco removal can save you thousands on your siding replacement costs. However, there are some crucial things to consider before diving in that can make the difference between siding that starts to fail shortly after installation and siding that lasts a lifetime.

Can You Stucco Over Stucco?

It’s possible to stucco over stucco. In fact, it’s a common practice for homeowners who have existing stucco that’s still in good condition and want to save money on the cost of siding replacement.

Things to Consider Before Installing Stucco Over Old Stucco

There are a few key considerations to make before deciding to stucco over existing stucco.

Old Stucco Condition

Most importantly, your existing stucco layer should be in decent condition before layering over it. That means no major cracks and no leaks or issues with water intrusion. Stuccoing over a damaged or failing layer of stucco will only lead to those problems persisting down the road, and they could cause bad adhesion, which means your new stucco will flake or crack sooner than it otherwise would.

Existing Type

There are a few different types of stucco, the most common of which are traditional stucco, synthetic stucco, and acrylic stucco. Going with the same type of stucco that’s already on your home is a good idea, as it leads to the best adhesion and the lowest risk of your new layer failing prematurely.

Existing Texture

The stucco texture you have will play some role in what you can achieve with your new stucco layer. Covering a rough layer with a smooth stucco texture, especially if you’re just adding a skim coat for aesthetic purposes, will require more skill and time to install. As such, your costs will be lowest if you go with a rough texture on the top layer.

Structural Concerns

Stucco is a heavy siding material, and the weight of multiple layers can add up quickly. Before proceeding with the installation, your professional should make sure that your structure can support the added weight of a second layer. Otherwise, you’ll need to remove the old stucco first.

How Do Professionals Apply New Stucco Over Stucco?

The first and most important step of the process is surface preparation. A professional who does stucco should inspect your old stucco to ensure it’s in good condition. Cracking, chipping, and other damages will need repairs first. 

Next, your pro will power wash and clean the old layer to remove dirt and debris that can affect adhesion with the new layer. Many professionals will spray or roll on a binding agent that will improve adhesion, but this is never a substitute for cleaning.

Finally, your pro will begin applying the new stucco. Depending on a few factors, they may add one to three coats of stucco, like the condition and type of stucco finish you have and the look you’re going for with the new layer.

Alternatives to Stuccoing Over Existing Stucco

If you’re not sure that your existing stucco is in good enough condition to apply stucco over it, don’t worry—you have some other options for refacing your home.

• Painting the existing layer. If your old stucco is still in good condition and would just benefit from refinishing, you can paint it instead of applying new stucco. Painting a house costs a little more than half of what applying a new layer of stucco would, so you’ll save money in the process.

• Install another siding material. It’s possible to install other siding materials over stucco, which can be a great option if you’re not married to the idea of a stucco home. You’ll need some preparation for the best results, but you’ll still save some money on siding removal costs.

• Remove the old stucco first. Set on stucco but worried about those stucco cracks and chips? You can always have your local stucco contractor remove the old layer first. This will add $1,000 to $3,000 to your total, but it can avoid problems that a damaged base layer might cause.