Stucco is a popular choice for residential and commercial siding that has advantages over other material options, especially for certain regions. Although it can be found nationwide, it is most popular in the Southwest region of the United States because of its desert-like climate. In fact, 50-60% of houses in this region are made using stucco.* It is also commonly used in the states of Texas and Florida.
One advantage of stucco for the Southwest region in particular has to do with stucco’s components. It is composed of a mixture of sand, lime, cement, and water. These materials are abundant in this area so it’s inexpensive and readily available to make.
A hot, dry, and desert-like climate creates a perfect environment for stucco since stucco does not do well with ongoing heavy precipitation or excessive moisture. However, stucco is fire-resistant, which helps provide an additional level of security to protect home and building owners in dry regions that are prone to fires.
Even though deserts are known for their extremely hot temperatures, it can also get very cold at nights and in the winter, making the costs of heating and air high year-round. Stucco is energy efficient and provides insulation for the building or home, helping to cut these costs.
In addition to the practical reasons to use it, stucco also provides an aesthetic style to buildings that is popular and characteristic of many areas in the Southwest. Stucco can even be tinted to dry a certain color – allowing homeowners to customize it to a unique shade.
Proper stucco application requires a stucco masking tape that can stand up to the roughness of the job. Learn more about tapes used in stucco application at Shurtape.com.
*Source:https://stuccomfgassoc.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/STUCCO_Report-2016.pdf
