Stucco Painting Edmonton: Cost, Prep & Best Coating Systems (2026 Guide)

1) Why stucco painting is different than siding or wood

Stucco is porous and textured. That means:• It holds dust and chalking (you must wash it properly)• Cracks can expand and contract with freeze/thaw cycles• Texture increases surface area — it uses more paint• Repairs and patching must be done before coating Because stucco hides small dents, people underestimate prep — but paint failure shows quickly if the surface wasn’t cleaned and sealed correctly.

2) What affects stucco painting cost the most

Stucco pricing in Edmonton usually changes based on:• Height and access (2■storey peaks, tight side yards, steep roofs)• Masking needs (stone/brick, windows, landscaping, decks)• Crack repairs and patching (hairline vs wider cracks)• Chalking level (how much washing and sealing is required)• Color change (dark-to-light often needs more coats)• Coating system choice (standard acrylic vs elastomeric)• Detail areas (trim, fascia, doors) included or excluded

3) Realistic pricing ranges (Edmonton)

Use these as sanity checks:

• Small bungalow: $5,500–$10,500

• 2 storey typical: $8,500–$18,000

• Large/complex homes: $18,000–$35,000+Common add-ons:

• trim/fascia/soffits/doors/garage door

• decks/railings/fences

• heavy repairs or stucco patching

• significant color changes or extra coats

4) The correct stucco prep process (non-negotiable)

A professional stucco job should include:

1) Wash / surface cleaning

• Remove dirt, chalk, and mildew

• Rinse thoroughly and allow full dry time

2) Crack repair and patching

• Repair cracks and damaged areas

• Allow repairs to cure

3) Seal/prime where required

• Use masonry primer or conditioner when needed

• Spot-prime repairs and porous areas

4) Caulking (only where appropriate)

• Around windows/doors/trim joints — not every texture line5) Protect and mask

• Windows, stone/brick, lights, concrete, landscaping6) Two topcoats

• Even coverage on texture (often spray + back roll)

• Correct dry time between coats

5) Best coating systems for Alberta conditions

Two common systems are used on stucco:

A) High-quality exterior acrylic (most common)

• Great performance when surface is properly cleaned and sealed

• Often the best balance of cost and durability

B) Elastomeric coating (thicker, bridges small cracks)

• Useful when hairline cracking is common

• Can help hide minor imperfections

• Typically higher cost and requires correct prep Important:

Elastomeric is not a “magic fix” for failing stucco. If the surface is chalky or repairs are failing, coating over it will still fail.

6) When NOT to paint stucco (avoid failure)

Delay painting if:

• Stucco is wet or moisture is trapped (must dry fully)

• Temperatures are too low for proper curing

• You have ongoing water intrusion (fix cause first)

• Repairs are not cured

• Surface is heavily chalking and hasn’t been properly cleaned/sealed

7) Timeline: how long stucco painting takes

Typical timelines:

• Bungalow stucco: 3–5 working days

• 2 storey stucco: 5–8 working days

• Large/complex: 1–3 weeks

What slows it down:

• wash + dry time

• repairs and curing

• weather windows (wind/rain/cold nights)

• heavy masking and detail work

8) Red flags (how to spot a bad stucco quote)

Be careful if:

• No wash/cleaning step is included

• No crack repair plan is included

• No primer/conditioner plan for chalky stucco

• “One coat” is offered without explanation

• Contractor ignores weather windows

• No protection/masking details

• No WCB/insurance proof

9) Fast quote checklist (what to send)

To get a clear stucco quote quickly, send:

• Photos of all sides (wide)

• Close-ups of cracks and damaged areas

• Notes on included items (stucco only vs stucco + trim/doors)

• Color change goal

• Access notes (tight side yards, high peaks)

• Desired timing (month/week)

10) FAQ (quick answers)

• Should I use elastomeric? Sometimes — but only after proper wash + repairs and if cracking is common.

• How long does stucco paint last? A quality system can last many years, but failure happens early when prep is skipped.

• Is spray OK on stucco? Yes, often best — but many jobs still need back roll for even coverage.

• Can you paint in cold weather? Only within coating temperature limits and stable weather windows.