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Differences In Stucco Material
In dealing with this business as long as Just Finishes has, we find that there are many misconceptions with stucco and it's properties. Here is a quick tutorial on the difference between the types of material you have to choose from on any given project.

2 Basic Types of Material: Natural vs Synthetic
There are 2 basic types of materials people use: Natural and Synthetic. The "Natural" materials are made from marble dust and plaster (50% - 50%), whereas the "Synthetic" materials are acrylic polymer and plaster (70% - 30%).

Natural materials or "Marble Stucco" are just that; they've been around for centuries and much of ancient Rome was built using it, whereas the synthetic materials, with all the chemicals and toxins, tend to have a much shorter lifespan. Synthetic materials can bubble-up, dry-out and flake within a few years, whereas the natural marble dust/plaster mixture, much like Michelangelo's David, will stand the test of time.

Durability Differences
The durability and maintenance of natural marble-stucco materials is also different. The marble dust creates a much harder surface, and can sustain greater impacts than the synthetic material. And since the synthetic material is made from acrylic polymer, the colors will alter over time. If the wall has major damage and needs to be patched, the patchmark will be obvious. With the marble-stucco, the repair can be done and the difference in areas will be invisible.

Maintenance Issues
Walls made from marble-stucco require no maintenance at all. The color and quality of the finish should last for the life of the structure. There is no chipping over time, and no resealing every several years. An occasional dusting should be all that is required.

Toxins in Synthetic Materials
One important thing you should consider is that synthetic finishes dispense gases, which can be very unhealthy. Synthetic coatings made with co-polymer acrylics fatten after each coat, which leaves room for air in the surface that will eventually seep out in the form of a gas over the first 6-12 months. The gases that the synthetic finishes emit is extremely toxic, not to mention uncomfortable to smell. With marble-stucco and no synthetics, there are no gases.