Stucco over brick: a new exterior without tearing the old one off
Most houses in the GTA are brick, and many owners want the clean modern look of stucco without demolition. EIFS goes over sound brick very well: the brick stays as the structure, the insulation board adds warmth, and the finish gives the house a new face. The job depends on what the brick is doing first.
Owners of brick houses, semis and townhouses who want a modern exterior, and owners of brick buildings that have become costly to maintain. What you get
A complete EIFS over the brick, with insulation, new details and every window resealed to the new wall line. Where
Toronto, Mississauga, Vaughan, Oakville and the rest of the GTA. 4.933 Google reviews
How stucco goes over brick
The brick becomes the substrate. Everything depends on it being sound and dry.
- Check the brick
Spalling, loose units, failed mortar and efflorescence are repaired or raked and repointed first. A system over moving brick moves with it.
- Deal with the moisture
Brick walls breathe. We make sure the wall is dry, that weep holes and flashings still do their work, and that the system stops above grade.
- Fix the insulation board
EPS board mechanically fastened and adhered to the brick, bringing the wall out to its new line.
- Extend the details
Windows and doors now sit deeper. Sills, jambs and heads are extended and flashed so water runs out over the new face.
- Base coat, mesh and finish
The same reinforced base coat and finish as any EIFS wall, with mouldings and bands added if you want them.
Which brick houses suit it, and which need work first
Solid, well-built brick from the 1950s on is the easiest substrate. Most of these houses are candidates.
Fine, as long as the paint is sound. Loose paint is removed so the adhesive bonds to brick.
Pre-war brick that is spalling needs repair and sometimes a different fastening approach. We check at the visit.
Active water problems, bowed walls or failed lintels have to be corrected by a mason first. We will say so rather than cover it.
Warmer, quieter, and a house that looks new
Insulation outside the brick is the single biggest thermal upgrade an older house can get without opening the interior. The brick becomes thermal mass inside the insulation instead of a cold outer skin, and drafts through old mortar joints stop.
The look changes completely. Brick houses from the 1960s to the 1990s become smooth, modern elevations, often with dark window frames, a stone base and new EPS mouldings. Many of the houses in our gallery started as brick.
The brick stays, so there is no demolition, no dumpster of masonry and no structural work. The house is finished from the outside while you live in it.
What moves the number on stucco over brick
Every job is quoted after we see the wall. These are the things that move the number.
- Condition of the brick
Repointing and spall repair before the system goes on.
- Wall area and height
Measured at the site visit.
- Window and door extensions
Each opening gets extended jambs, sills and heads.
- Insulation thickness
More board means more warmth and deeper details.
- Mouldings and stone
Optional, priced separately.
Send a photo of the wall
Lars calls back to book the free site visit, usually within a day. Then one price in writing.
Send a photo or call
Free site visit
One price in writing
What our customers say
I would HIGHLY recommend Stucco & Co. Lars immediately stood out as professional, friendly, honest, and as someone who genuinely cares for his clients. Lars went above and beyond to help out with the stucco issues I was facing. An outstanding guy and an outstanding business. Will definitely be working with him again soon!
Lincoln Homes Canada Inc. highly recommends working with this company! They are very efficient, work hard and are easy to work with. Customer service is their number one priority and they deliver what they promise.
Lars and his crew came highly recommended to us through our builder to do the exterior stucco and trim work on our custom home. From the initial consultation, through to the completion of this phase of our build, Lars was always accessible and responsive to our inquiries and needs. He helped us get the right look we were hoping for, came up with great money saving ideas and the product and workmanship was outstanding. His crew truly defines what hard work and attention to detail is all about. The work was done on time, on budget and far exceeded our expectations. I wouldn’t hesitate to hire him again or to recommend his company to anyone who wants the job done right. Note: I have not received, nor have been offered any compensation or discount for this review. I’m just really happy with the work that was done and hope that others can benefit from a similar experience with this company.
Lars and his team did a wonderful stucco job on our home. I feel like we bought a new home when I drive in after work. The team is very professional and clean. It was very easy communicating with Lars, small changes, colours, mouldings, etc... I'm very happy that we picked Stucco&Co among a few that came for an estimate. He wasn't the cheapest but I had a good feeling when I met Lars. I highly recommend their services.
Lars and his team were fantastic to work with. Lars took the time to explain the process, the application being used and all our options. The team did a wonderful job and the stucco looks great. They started the job exactly as promised and finished on time, the price was as quoted with no surprises. We would highly recommend Stucco & Co.
Stucco over brick questions
Does stucco over brick cause moisture problems?
Not when the brick is dry and the system is detailed to let water out. We keep the system above grade, keep flashings working and seal every opening to the new wall line.
Do I need a building permit?
Replacing a finish like for like usually does not. Adding insulation changes the wall assembly and some municipalities want a permit. We tell you what applies at the visit.
Can you do only the front?
Yes. Many owners do the front elevation first and the rest later, or leave side walls in brick.
Will the windows look recessed?
The wall comes out by the thickness of the board and coatings. We extend the sills and jambs so the windows look designed in, not buried.
Is the work insured and warrantied?
Yes. Stucco & Co carries $5 million liability insurance and WSIB coverage, and every job comes with a one-year warranty on our work.