Why Santa Fe Homes Look Better with Stucco Exteriors

Much of our educational material and blog posts focus on the functionality of different roofing materials and techniques and how different options work better for different situations, have different pros and cons, etc.

But over generations and centuries, functionality considerations have taken root and become the foundation for certain aesthetics that we’ve come to associate with homes here in New Mexico. It’s true throughout the world: Building for your environment over time led to different looks in different places, and now we appreciate those looks in their own right.

Different building aesthetics just feel like they belong when in the right environment — a Santa Fe pueblo revival home would look just as crazy in Norway as a Norwegian birch bark sod roof cabin would look in New Mexico but swap those two to their traditional locale and both feel at home.

This part of the American Southwest — and particularly in New Mexico — has had unique climate needs for buildings for our whole history. And with that, it has had equally unique architecture that continues today.

In modern Santa Fe, that’s evolved to mean stucco. Not only is it common, but it’s become the go-to exterior, highlighting our earth tones and providing a comfortable home in a unique climate.

Today, we’re going to go beyond our usual focus on just functionality and look at why New Mexico homes look great with stucco exteriors — and how it got that way. 

A Look at the History of Stucco: Why environment & Architecture Originally Made Stucco so Popular in New Mexico 

Much of the American Southwest’s historical architecture was founded first on Ancestral Puebloan building techniques and then later on Spanish colonial methods — and nowhere is this legacy as influential in today’s architecture than in Santa Fe, where the two (and their subsequent revival movements) remain the foundation of our modern look. 

As for stucco, it first became ubiquitous during the Spanish colonial period, when it was commonly used in newly constructed buildings of the time. 

Prior to that, the primarily adobe Puebloan techniques were the predominant architecture, having been prominent since the Ancestral Puebloan population exploded almost 1,000 years before the Spanish arrival. 

The Pueblo Revival style then became popular in the first half of the 1900s; the Territorial Revival architectural movement overlapped during the 30s and 40s, incorporating architectural elements associated with European-American influence while still using many historical Pueblo and Spanish methods to adapt it well to the unique climate. 

The mix of these Ancestral Puebloan and Spanish influences meant that by the 1920s, stucco exteriors were becoming increasingly the norm in Santa Fe and most of New Mexico. And although not all of America’s warmer climates had this Puebloan — or even occasionally Spanish — history, this stucco popularity was exploding from Florida to California. 

This holds true today, with stucco being extremely popular in warm climates due to its insulation and energy efficiency, low maintenance, durability, and the subsequent aesthetic that we’ve simply come to feel seems “right” in these environments. 

Modern Day Popularity of Stucco Exteriors in Santa Fe and much of New Mexico 

Since the middle of the 20th century, the city of Santa Fe itself has especially emphasized these historical influences; in 1957, Santa Fe enacted a Historical Zoning ordinance, mandating that building and new construction in the historic district uphold Pueblo or Territorial styles in their historic district. Since then, many buildings are required to adhere to these aesthetic principles, while historic buildings have been protected. 

This ordinance was expanded in 1967, and the look of the Pueblo Revival and Territorial Revival styles have been entrenched ever since — although one could argue this would’ve been the case, ordinance or not! By now, these building techniques and the associated look have become so synonymous and beloved due to both how well they worked in the climate and, after centuries of this being the case, how “at home” this aesthetic felt. 

Beyond regulations, stucco and other associated techniques remain extremely popular due to both function and aesthetic considerations, namely that it: 

• Is durable to the strong sun and prolonged heat exposure 
• Is good at regulating indoor temperatures 
• Is inexpensive 
• Can emulate fine stonework and provide a good material for different aesthetic patterns 
• Aligns with the long-established desert appearance of Santa Fe and the surrounding area 

Basically, New Mexico’s unique climate considerations and how well stucco meets that challenge are a case study in how people first build to address needs and then, over time, the tradition of that functional building turns into its own noteworthy, beloved aesthetic. 

Advice for Homeowners with Stucco 

So, with stucco being such an important part of Santa Fe’s architecture, what should people know who have it as a foundational part of their home? 

First is knowing that you have different options, and different homes will work better with these options. Namely, synthetic versus traditional stucco, which each have pros and cons. 

Traditional stucco is made of lime, coarse sand, and cement, and is exceptionally durable, plus fire resistant while looking more natural. On the flip side, it can absorb a bit more moisture, which can lead to cracking. It also “fades” over time, which to some is a downside while to others it’s a desirable quality showcasing the long-term patina of the material.

Synthetic stucco is made of more modern materials and has the upsides and downsides that come with that; it’s made of a water-resistant base with fiberglass mesh embedded throughout, before being primed and then having the textured colored surface applied. 

When installed properly, synthetic stucco is even better at repelling water due to its even expansion and contraction, making it all the more durable where moisture is concerned. It also holds its color better and more evenly than traditional stucco. This is especially true with the components we use, which come from STO, who developed their stucco materials specifically in and for the American Southwest. 

However, when not installed properly, synthetic stucco can retain moisture, where its durability will be significantly impacted. It also doesn’t have that same classic look, so some will prefer the natural qualities of traditional stucco. And, given that this whole piece is about appreciating the aesthetics of stucco and how that blends with how well it works for our climate, that’s worth something! 

On that note, though, whether you choose to go with traditional or synthetic stucco, the pros and cons really come down to making sure you’re having a high-quality product installed and having it installed by people you trust. Both types of stucco are fantastic options that have stood the test of time in New Mexico for many reasons but, if installed improperly, it will both look and function worse. 

If you’re in the Santa Fe area, that means someone like us at Santa Fe Stucco & Roofing — we have a rock solid guarantee on all our services and emphasize craftsmanship, quality, and an unrivalled warranty to back that up. Otherwise, if you’re outside our service area away from Santa Fe, be sure to do your research and get opinions from those you trust about the stucco types that will work best for you and the companies you can trust to get that job done. 

In the end, there’s a reason stuccos become one of the key building components of New Mexico; after generations, we’ve realized it is simply unrivalled in how well it works in this environment and, in the process, we’ve come to love how it looks within that environment too. 

And of course, if you need stucco installed, maintained, or repaired, don’t hesitate to give Santa Fe Stucco & Roofing a call!