Installation

• Wood siding is easier to install than stucco. Almost any homeowner with minimal carpentry skills and tools can put wood siding on a house or shed. Wood also goes on quickly. Stucco is much more complex, requiring wall preparation and masonry skill to apply the cement stucco, and involves at least two coats, which must be allowed to properly cure. It often requires professional work, unless you have masonry experience.
  
  

Durability

• All wood will degrade over time, especially if it's exposed to moisture. Some wood siding, such as cedar, redwood or cypress, is more resistant to rot, but even those woods lose their natural protection over the years. Stucco is very durable and waterproof; it will not be damaged by rainfall and high humidity, although it may be affected by prolonged exposure to water, especially any that gets behind the surface to separate the stucco finish from the base wall.
  
  

Maintenance

• Stucco is basically maintenance-free. It can be painted, and painted stucco may require periodic refreshing, but basic stucco requires no routine maintenance. Wood demands regular maintenance. It must be sealed, stained or painted periodically to prevent damage from moisture and to keep its appearance. Even durable sidings such as redwood and cedar need to be maintained to retain their appearance and durability.
  
  

Style

• There are many more design and style options with wood than with stucco. Wood siding can be large panels, overlapped planks, tongue-and-groove patterns, individual shingles or shakes for a variety of appearances. Stucco can be finished smooth or rough or given special textures, but provides far less variety of appearance.
  
  

Expense

• If expense is a factor, wood is generally people's first choice. Stucco may be less expensive over a very long run because it may last for many decades, while wood may need to be replaced or repaired after a few decades. However, for the average homeowner, wood will be far cheaper, both in cost of materials and labor for installation.