How to Prepare for a Stucco to Siding Home Exterior Makeover

Thinking about replacing tired stucco with fresh, durable siding? If your Salt Lake City home or business has hairline cracks, faded color, or moisture stains that won’t quit, you’re not imagining it—our freeze‑thaw cycles and high‑altitude sun are tough. A smart stucco to siding makeover can boost curb appeal, tame maintenance, and help your building handle Utah’s weather with less stress. The right plan makes it smooth. The wrong plan? Headaches. Let’s keep it smooth.

Why many in Salt Lake City switch from stucco to siding

Stucco can look great, but it’s a rigid shell. Along the Wasatch Front, winter snow, spring rain, and summer heat keep everything expanding and contracting. Small cracks become water paths. You know what? Once water sneaks behind stucco, the story usually gets complicated—wet sheathing, soft framing, and peeling interior paint.

Siding gives you options that flex with the climate. James Hardie fiber cement stands up to fire and UV. LP SmartSide engineered wood brings warmth and toughness. Modern Vinyl Siding is more resilient than the old stuff and easier on the budget. Metal looks sharp on commercial facades and mountain‑modern homes. You can pair these with a rainscreen and a robust weather barrier so the wall assembly dries out after storms. That’s the big win in Utah: quick drying.

And style? Board‑and‑batten, lap, smooth, or wood‑grain—you can shape your home’s personality without inheriting stucco’s cracks. There’s also a practical angle: siding repairs are usually faster and cleaner than stucco patches, which rarely blend perfectly.

Start with a simple plan (and a cup of coffee)

Before anyone touches a pry bar, map your goals. What do you want to see each time you pull into the driveway—or unlock the shop in the morning? Cleaner lines? Less maintenance? Better energy performance? Jot it down. Snap a few inspiration photos. Walk the block at dusk and notice colors that play well with our mountain light.

Then talk budget and timing. Be honest with yourself about both. For homeowners, a thoughtful exterior refresh often returns well at resale, especially near hot spots like Sugar House and the Avenues. For businesses, it’s branding and traffic. A crisp façade gets people in the door.

Don’t forget constraints. HOA guidelines. Historic district rules. Signage and parking for businesses. We’ll work with you—just bring those documents to the first visit so we can keep the project straight.

Inspection and moisture check: find the story behind the walls

Here’s the thing: moving from stucco to siding is as much about what’s underneath as what’s on top. We start with a visual survey, then use moisture meters and, when needed, small test cuts. If you have EIFS (synthetic stucco) instead of traditional cement stucco, we pay extra attention to window and door transitions. We look for missing weep screeds, weak flashing, and those shady spots that never quite dry out after a storm.

It can feel uncomfortable to hear the results, but knowledge saves money. If we find soft sheathing or a leak around a light fixture, we fix it now—so your new siding isn’t covering an old problem.

Commercial clients: we coordinate with facilities teams and can stage exploratory work off‑hours. Fire ratings, egress clearances, and accessibility routes stay on our checklist throughout.

Budgeting without surprises

Good news and bad news. The good: you control a lot of the cost. The not‑so‑bad: hidden damage can tweak the plan. We build a clear line‑item estimate, then add a reasonable contingency—usually 10–15 percent—for hidden repairs. If we don’t use it, you keep it. If we need it, you’ll already know why.

Typical budget elements include removal and disposal of stucco, sheathing repairs, weather barrier and flashing, rainscreen furring, siding and trim, paint or factory finish, and accessories like vents and lighting blocks. Add permits, material delivery, and cleanup. We also outline warranties—both manufacturer and labor—so you know who stands behind what and for how long.

Financing? Ask us about local lenders familiar with exterior projects in Salt Lake County. A straight monthly plan can make a big difference for homeowners and small businesses alike.

Choose the right siding for Utah’s climate

Materials are tools, not trophies. We match the tool to the job. Here’s a snapshot that stays honest about trade‑offs:

Under every cladding, we build the “raincoat”: a robust weather‑resistive barrier and proper flashing. We use products like Tyvek, HydroGap, or the ZIP System sheathing with integrated WRB, depending on your wall design. A small ventilated gap behind the siding—called a rainscreen—helps everything dry fast after storms or sprinklers. It’s simple and effective.

Color matters too. High‑altitude sun can be bold, so deep charcoal, coastal blue, and warm earth tones read beautifully at dusk. If you want long‑term color stability, consider James Hardie ColorPlus or LP ExpertFinish options that arrive finished from the factory.

Color, trim, and texture: little choices, big impact

Small details carry weight. Trading stucco for horizontal lap can make a ranch home look longer and cleaner. Switching to board‑and‑batten on gables adds height and a fresh farmhouse vibe. Shingle accents on dormers bring character without going overboard.

A quick rule that works: the 60‑30‑10 approach. Sixty percent main siding color, thirty percent for trim and fascia, ten percent for an accent—front door, shutters, or the belly band. If you’re near downtown or the University, crisp white trim against saturated color reads classic Salt Lake.

Don’t skip lighting and house numbers. New fixtures and a clearly visible address feel minor, but they finish the story. And if you’re pairing siding with stone veneer, keep the palette in the same temperature range so it doesn’t look accidental.

Permits, HOA, and paperwork made painless

We handle the heavy lifting here. Most exterior cladding changes in Salt Lake City require a building permit and inspections for weatherproofing and final appearance. If you’re in a historic district, we’ll help prepare submittals—photos, color samples, and elevation sketches. HOAs usually want product sheets and color names before approval. Bring us the covenants; we’ll keep you compliant.

Businesses: we coordinate with City licensing if signage moves, and we flag any egress or parking impacts early so you stay open and safe throughout.

Timeline expectations: what the week‑by‑week looks like

Every project is unique, but a typical single‑family home runs two to three weeks once materials are on site. Larger homes or commercial buildings take longer and may be phased. Here’s a clear arc:

Week 1: Site setup, protection, and stucco removal. We manage dust with saw attachments, water spray, and collection. We remove stucco methodically, inspect sheathing, and make repairs.

Week 2: Weather barrier and flashing—windows, doors, penetrations. We install rainscreen furring if specified. Then we begin siding and trim. You’ll see shape and texture return fast.

Week 3: Finish siding, detail work, caulking, and paint (if site‑painted). Final cleanup, touch‑ups, and walkthrough. We build a punch list together and close it out.

Winter work is possible with planning—heated enclosures and cold‑weather adhesives—but the sweet spot is spring through fall. Afternoon winds off the valley? We secure and stage accordingly.

Prep your property for construction day

A little prep makes the job faster and safer. Think of it like clearing the kitchen before you cook a big meal.

• Move vehicles and clear access. We’ll need room for a dump trailer, materials, and a safe path for crews.
• Pull furniture and grills away from walls. About 6–8 feet is ideal; we’ll help with the big stuff if needed.
• Protect landscaping you love. We cover shrubs and beds, but mark prized plants so we can give them extra care.
• Plan for pets and kids. Noise, ladders, and open areas can be tempting. A quiet space inside helps everyone.
• Mark sprinklers and low‑voltage lines. We don’t want to surprise your irrigation system.
• Discuss power and outlets. We use standard outdoor GFCI. If none are available, we bring a temporary power solution.
• Business entrances stay open. We phase work and create safe walkways with signage and cones.

We’ll confirm dumpster placement, material drop zones, and where a portable restroom should go so it’s discrete but useful. Daily cleanup keeps the site tidy—it’s a point of pride for our crew.

Health and safety: dust, lead, and silica

Safety lives at the front of the line. Cutting stucco creates silica dust, so we use wet‑cut methods, vacuums with HEPA filters, and proper PPE. If your home predates 1978, we screen for lead‑based paint on trim and painted sheathing, then follow EPA RRP rules for containment and cleanup. It’s slower, yes, but it’s the right way—especially with kids or pets around.

We coordinate with neighbors on tight streets and leave clear notes on door hangers a day before heavy work. Simple courtesy lowers everyone’s stress.

What to ask your siding contractor

Choosing a Salt Lake City siding contractor shouldn’t feel risky. Ask direct questions and expect straight answers.

• Are you licensed and insured? Ask for proof and verify workers’ comp coverage.
• Who’s my day‑to‑day contact? A dedicated project manager makes everything smoother.
• How do you handle moisture repairs? Get a process, not a shrug.
• What’s included in cleanup and protection? Daily sweep, magnet rolling for nails, landscape protection.
• What happens if weather turns? Utah weather pivots fast; we need a plan B.
• Can I see recent jobs nearby? Local references tell the story best.
• How do you manage change orders and payments? Clear milestones and lien waivers protect you.

If answers sound vague, keep shopping. Good contractors love good questions.

Aftercare: maintenance that actually fits your life

New siding doesn’t ask for much, but it appreciates attention. A gentle wash once or twice a year with a garden hose and mild soap keeps pollen, dust, and wildfire residue at bay. Skip pressure washers; they’re overkill. Touch up caulk around trim every few years. Check gutters before winter—overflowing ice can soak a wall assembly.

Sprinklers should not spray the siding all day, every day. If heads are too close, we’ll help you re‑aim them. And if a baseball scuffs a panel (it happens), call us; repairs are clean and quick.

For business owners and property managers: keep operations humming

We treat your storefront or complex like a workplace—because it is.

• Phased scheduling and off‑hours work. We can shift noisy tasks early or late to protect your peak times.
• Clear wayfinding. Temporary signage, cones, and safe routes preserve foot traffic and deliveries.
• Tenant and customer notices. We share weekly updates so people know what to expect and when.
• ADA access stays open. No excuses here; we maintain compliant routes throughout.

Siding on a commercial building often pairs well with metal panels or masonry accents. We build that blend so it wears hard and looks tight.

Why Utah Siding & Exteriors? Local help that shows up

We’re neighbors, not a fly‑in crew. Our team works across Salt Lake City, the east bench, and the south valley year‑round, which means we’ve seen what sun off snow can do to color and caulk. We recommend what we’d put on our own homes and shops. We use proven tools and brands—Diablo blades for clean cuts, Malco snips for crisp metal trim—and we follow manufacturer specs so your warranty stands tall.

Expect a low‑pressure process, clear communications, and craftsmanship you can see from the sidewalk. If you want to try colors first, we can prepare digital mockups and share physical samples, because screens lie sometimes and real light tells the truth.

Whether it’s stucco removal with careful dust control or a complete exterior makeover with new trim, soffit, and gutters, we handle the whole package. And we stand behind it.

Ready for your stucco to siding makeover? Let’s talk

If you’re in or around Salt Lake City and ready to swap cracks for character, we’d love to help. Call 801-509-9241 for quick answers, or hit Request a Free Quote and we’ll schedule a friendly, no‑pressure visit. We’ll listen first, measure twice, and build it right the first time. Simple as that.