The History Of Stucco

The History Of Stucco

If you’ve ever walked past or through a charming old character home, chances are you’ve noticed that there’s a style to them that’s hard to pin down and replicate. What makes them look so unique and different? What’s the secret to a house that lasts for so many years without having its colour or its flair fade away?

Well, most of the time it comes down to the material that the builders used to finish the house. And for thousands of years, builders have been using a material that’s proven to last, to look good, and to protect the surfaces beneath it: stucco.

Similar to the plaster used indoors for walls and archways, stucco is a surprisingly strong and durable product that has its origins thousands of years ago in the Mediterranean area. Originally composed of mixtures of lime, sand, and water, it grew in popularity not only because it was easy to shape and work with, but also because it hardened to a tough and extremely hard finish that could stand up to sunshine, salty sea air, storms, and everything in between.

As time passed and stucco became more common, different types and styles emerged. Artists could use it to mold relief sculptures, and painters could easily create vibrant scenes full of colour. Wealthy homeowners could use the stucco to cover less desirable material, like wood or stone, and create masterworks that would stand out to the eye. Even some of the great artwork of all time, like the Mona Lisa, was done on the same plaster base that stucco was born out of!

After the colonization of the Americas, variants of stucco – easily created with water, gypsum, sand, lime, clay, stones, and other materials – became one of the most common building materials in the New World. Think of the Spanish villas of Mexico, or the great estates of the Eastern Seaboard: many of them have high-quality, long-lasting stucco finishes that are still around, hundreds of years later.

With the introduction of a mixture known as “Portland Cement” in the 19th century, the production of stucco material began to get much more standardized. Soon, formulas for different climates, substrates, purposes, and colours were all in place, and techniques for their application were studied and finalized for maximum efficiency. Today, stucco is so common that people may think it is cheap or sub-standard, but nothing could be further from the truth! By almost any way you choose to measure, stucco is a superior exterior finish material that will protect your home for decades.

Easy to clean and paint, immensely hard, waterproof, and able to withstand Alberta’s temperature extremes, stucco is a perfect choice for a province that sees some of the country’s most punishing weather – and it all comes without sacrificing design choices or affordability. And here at Star Masters Stucco, we have some history of our own: more than 15 years of experience bringing the best stucco service to Calgary, with a wide selection of services, products, and finishes to go along with them. And it’s all delivered by a knowledgeable team of experts who can answer your questions and recommend the best way to get your home looking its best.
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After all, a good stucco job is going to last a long time, and we want our work to speak for itself down the road. If you need new stucco siding or stucco repairs in Calgary, you know who to call – Star Masters Stucco!