Can you change the colour of integral-coloured stucco by painting over it in Ottawa?

Yes, you can paint over integral-coloured stucco — but it's a one-way decision you should think through carefully. Once you paint integral stucco, you're committing to a lifetime of repainting, because you can never go back to the original look. Here's what Ottawa homeowners need to know before making that choice.

Painting Over Integral-Coloured Stucco in Ottawa

What integral colour means: Integral-coloured stucco has pigment mixed throughout the entire finish coat, not just applied on top. The colour goes all the way through, which is why it doesn't peel or fade the way paint does. It's a premium finish that costs 15–25% more than standard grey stucco during installation. Many Ottawa stucco homes built or re-stuccoed in the 2000s and 2010s have this type of finish.

Why homeowners want to change: The most common reason is the colour has become dated or faded unevenly. South-facing walls on Ottawa homes take brutal UV punishment and may lighten significantly compared to north-facing walls after 10–15 years. Patched areas also stand out because matching integral colour exactly is nearly impossible — even the same batch of pigment can look different depending on curing conditions and humidity, which vary wildly in Ottawa.

The process: Painting over integral stucco requires the same preparation as any stucco paint job — cleaning, crack repair, and priming. The key difference is choosing the right primer. Use a high-quality alkali-resistant masonry primer that seals the pigmented surface and provides a consistent base for your topcoat. Without this primer, the underlying colour can bleed through or cause uneven absorption of the paint, leading to a blotchy finish.

Best paint choices for Ottawa: Elastomeric paint is ideal for covering integral stucco because its thick build (10–20 mils) fully obscures the original colour and provides excellent weather protection. Standard acrylic latex works too but may need an extra coat for complete coverage, especially if you're going from a dark integral colour to a lighter paint colour. Budget $4.50–$7.00 per square foot for elastomeric or $3.50–$5.00 for acrylic latex, including primer.

The permanent trade-off: Integral-coloured stucco never needs repainting — minor scratches and chips don't show because the colour is throughout the material. Once you paint over it, you lose this benefit permanently. Any future chip or scratch will show the original colour underneath, and you'll need to touch up or repaint every 7–15 years depending on paint type.

Alternatives to consider first: Before committing to paint, explore these options:

• Stucco colour wash: A semi-transparent mineral coating that refreshes or shifts the tone while maintaining the integral look. Costs $3.00–$5.00 per square foot in Ottawa.
• Acid staining: Can darken or shift the hue of existing integral colour without creating a film. Limited colour range but preserves the no-paint-maintenance advantage.
• Targeted patching with colour match: If the main issue is patched areas that don't match, a skilled stucco contractor can sometimes get closer with custom pigment blending ($40–$60 per hour plus materials).

If you've weighed the options and painting is the right call, it's a straightforward project. Just go in knowing you're trading permanent colour for the flexibility to change it every decade or so.

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Looking for experienced contractors? The Ottawa Construction Network connects Ottawa homeowners with qualified professionals:

• Justyn Rook Contracting
• JC Carpentry
• Titley Construction
• Transitions Renovations
• Nic’s D.U.C.T Works Inc

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