Traditional stucco has a reputation for cracking. But that's nothing compared to the moisture problems with synthetic siding revealed on the NBC story. Synthetic stucco costs about 2-3 times as much as traditional stucco. To avoid cracking, newer stucco and synthetic stucco products are manufactured to allow some give and take. For the energy-conscious homeowner, the major advantage of synthetic stucco is it's high insulation values.
Synthetic stucco is installed with a layer of foam-plastic insulation.
The problem is, certain types have been known to cause water damage to homes, especially in wetter climes. The complaints center on the material's apparent inability to drain moisture, a major deficiency in areas with lots of rainfall. They found rotting wood underneath saturated stucco. That's not exactly a vote of confidence from the building industry, to say the least, and it's worthy of note for homebuyers. If you are shopping for a new home, you may want to opt for a different siding material, such as vinyl or wood composite.