Stucco vs. Brick vs. Wood: Painting Tips for Each Surface

If you’ve ever walked through the neighborhoods of St. Augustine, FL, you’ve likely seen a striking variety of home exteriors—classic brick homes, charming wood cottages, and sleek stucco facades. Each material brings its personality to a house, but each also requires its kind of care, especially when it comes to painting. As seasoned house painters in St. Augustine FL, we at Affordable Actions have handled every type of surface under the Florida sun. This piece brings you the nuances of painting stucco, brick, and wood—from prep to finish—offering insights drawn from real-world experience.

Stucco: The Southwest Star with a Coastal Twist

Stucco is durable and offers a Mediterranean charm that suits Florida’s warm, humid climate. But painting it isn’t as simple as slapping on a coat and calling it done.

Key Considerations for Stucco

Porosity is everything

Stucco breathes. That’s its charm and its challenge. It absorbs paint differently than wood or brick, meaning the type of paint and primer matter immensely. Always use a masonry primer first. Skipping this step leads to uneven absorption and poor adhesion.

Cracks are common, not catastrophic.c

Hairline cracks aren’t just cosmetic. If left untreated, they’ll widen and compromise the finish. Flexible elastomeric patching compounds work well for stucco surfaces. Once patched, allow it to cure before painting.

Spray or roll?

Spraying offers the best penetration into the surface’s crevices, but a back-roll afterward helps with adhesion and texture consistency. On older stucco with lots of texture, a thick-nap roller or airless sprayer is essential.

Paint matters

Elastomeric coatings or 100% acrylic paints are the go-to choices for stucco. They expand and contract with the building while resisting UV rays and moisture.

Brick: Strong, Stately, and Surprisingly Tricky

Brick has that timeless quality. It’s low maintenance—until you want to change its color. Painting brick is part aesthetics, part preservation. If done right, it adds dramatic curb appeal. Done wrong, it can trap moisture and deteriorate the structure.

What to Know Before Painting Brick?

1. New brick needs time: Freshly installed brick and mortar must cure for a minimum of a year before being painted. Moisture locked in the bricks can force paint to peel quickly.
2. Clean, but don’t damage: Pressure washing must be gentle. High-pressure sprays can destroy the mortar. A scrub with trisodium phosphate (TSP) or similar non-acidic solutions works best to remove dirt and efflorescence.
3. Seal it right: Masonry primer is a non-negotiable first coat. It prevents the porous brick from drinking up all your topcoat and improves longevity.
4. Breathability is critical: Never use oil-based paints on brick. They seal in moisture, leading to blistering or mold. Opt for a breathable latex paint or mineral-based paint designed for masonry.
5. Whitewash vs. solid paint: A whitewash or limewash allows some of the brick’s character to peek through. Solid paint covers everything. The decision isn’t just aesthetic—it changes how future maintenance is handled.

Wood: Classic Charm, Constant Maintenance

Wood is where a painter’s craftsmanship shows. It’s the most forgiving surface to work on—but it demands the most attention over time. In Florida’s humid coastal environment, wood is vulnerable to rot, mold, and UV damage.

How to Handle Wood the Right Way?

It starts with prep

Scrape, sand, and fill. No step can be skipped. Loose or peeling paint must be removed, soft wood replaced, and surface imperfections patched with wood filler. Then comes sanding to even out the grain and provide better paint adhesion.

Priming isn’t optional.

Bare wood soaks up paint like a sponge. An oil-based primer is excellent for sealing knots and tannins in the wood. For repaints, high-quality latex primers can also work, especially when switching colors.

Wood moves

Seasonal expansion and contraction are constant. That’s why flexibility in your paint matters. Use high-quality acrylic latex paint—it bends without cracking.

Caulking counts

Fill all joints, seams, and gaps with a flexible exterior-grade caulk. This prevents moisture intrusion and pest entry.

Mind the direction

When painting lap siding, start from the top and work down, painting with the grain. Back-brushing ensures better coverage, especially in grooves.

Florida-Specific Factors That Affect All Surfaces

Living in a coastal region like St. Augustine brings its own set of exterior painting challenges. Here’s how we tailor each job for the local climate:

• Humidity & Rain: Quick-drying paints help avoid moisture entrapment, especially during the summer. Early morning painting is out—dew can affect adhesion.
• Salt Air: Salt-laden breezes accelerate wear, particularly near the ocean. We often recommend mildew-resistant formulations for added protection.
• Sun Exposure: UV rays fade paint faster. Dark colors absorb more heat and wear quickly, especially on south-facing walls. That’s why lighter, UV-resistant shades tend to last longer here.

Maintenance Tips for Each Material

Even the best paint job needs maintenance. Here’s what to expect:

For Stucco

• Inspect for cracks annually.
• Power wash gently once a year.
• Recoat every 7–10 years, depending on paint type.

For Brick

• Clean lightly to avoid stripping the paint.
• Watch for efflorescence (white, chalky deposits).
• Recoat every 10–15 years.

For Wood

• Inspect for peeling and wood rot every spring.
• Touch up problem areas promptly.
• Full repaint every 5–7 years, depending on exposure.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

A lot can go wrong if you cut corners or make assumptions. Here are mistakes we’ve seen homeowners and inexperienced painters make:

• Skipping surface prep. Doesn’t matter how expensive the paint is—if the prep is poor, it will fail.
• Using interior paint outside. It seems obvious, but you’d be surprised.
• Not accounting for temperature and humidity. Paint needs proper drying conditions. Rushing the process in poor weather can ruin a finish.
• One coat wonders. Most exterior surfaces require two coats for full coverage and longevity.
• Wrong tools for the surface. Flat brushes on stucco? Foam rollers on wood siding? Not effective.

Color and Finish Advice for Professionals and Enthusiasts

Choosing the right color is only half the battle—getting the finish right is just as critical.

• Stucco: Go for flat or low-sheen finishes to maintain its earthy texture. High gloss looks unnatural.
• Brick: Matte or eggshell finishes retain breathability and texture without too much sheen.
• Wood: Satin or semi-gloss finishes offer a good balance between durability and cleanability.

Color-wise, neutrals and pastels tend to hold up better under Florida’s harsh sun, while deeper colors might require more frequent maintenance.

Why Choose Affordable Actions?

When it comes to exterior painting, experience makes all the difference. Affordable Actions isn’t just another painting company—we’re part of the St. Augustine community. We’ve worked on bungalows by the bay, ranch homes inland, and every type of surface in between.

Here’s what sets us apart:

• Surface-Specific Expertise: We don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. Every stucco, brick, or wood surface gets the prep and product it needs for a job that lasts.
• Local Climate Knowledge: We know exactly how Florida’s weather affects paint—and how to plan around it.
• Detail-Oriented Craftsmanship: From the prep work to the final brushstroke, our focus is on quality and durability.
• Transparent Pricing, No Surprises: We believe great work should come at a fair price. No upsells. No hidden costs.
• Respect for Your Property: We treat your home like it’s our own—always leaving it cleaner and better than we found it.

Whether you’re restoring a historic home in the heart of the city or updating a beachside retreat, Affordable Actions brings the skill, professionalism, and local know-how that make the difference between good enough and done right.