EIFS STUCCO ON STEROIDS
Stucco is well-known building product in many regions of the country, but you can get the same stucco look with more insulation value by using EIFS (exterior insulation finish system).
A recent Oak Ridge National Laboratory study looked at how EIFS walls stacked up against brick, glass, stucco, concrete, wood and masonry. EIFS posted a higher R-value than the others at R-12.9.
EIFS can control temperature and moisture within the wall system and outperforms many other claddings. Because it is applied to the outside of a home, it is an option for both new homes and retrofits. The product’s carbon footprint as compared with other common claddings is five times lower than brick and three times lower than stucco, says a National Institute of Standards and Technology analysis. EIFS is commonly thought of as a stucco-look product, but finishes are quite flexible. Dryvit Outsulation system comes in Custom Brick and “Lymestone” finishes, and BASF has an attractive “AnticoGlaze” finish, reminiscent of the Tuscany region in Italy. GB
VIRTUES
> Adds insulation to the exterior of a home
> Finishes other than stucco look available
> Less expensive than stucco
> Liquid applied barrier blocks moisture
CAVEATS
> Imperative that it be installed and flashed correctly
> Must be installed by a trained professional
> Can dent and crack if hit by a ball or other object
AN EIFS UPGRADE?
An Exterior Insulation and Finish System is a straightforward way to upgrade the R-value of a wood or steel-framed wall without tearing out the existing insulation and starting over. The invention of high-tech moisture wraps has made these systems far more foolproof, in our view.
The EIFS concept is simple (described in the text above), but its benefits can be multi-faceted. Along with an R-value increase of up to R-10 (with 2” of rigid foam), the upgraded wall typically has much lower air infiltration. Both factors reduce heating and cooling demand in the home significantly.—Editor
11.2011
28
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