Rock-hard but also permeable, stucco provides excellent insulation, durability, and breathability. An EIFS cladding system utilizes a rigid-board insulation attached to mas onry or stud-framed walls. A mesh-reinforced base coat is applied over the insulation board, followed by a finish coat. Although designed as a waterproof system, water and water vapor can seep behind the EIFS surface through cracks and fractures and enter the wall system. Once it does, there is no way for water to escape the non-breathable EIFS.
Water that becomes trapped behind an EIFS system can cause serious moisture-related problems, including:. In addition to moisture-related problems associated with EIFS systems, homeowner have reported other issues, including:. In cases where insurers have limited their exposure with EIFS exclusions or refusal to insure EIFS homes, homeowners might be forced to bear the costs of home inspections and repairs.
And if insurance becomes less attaina ble for EIFS , affected homes will continue to lose value. EIFS installers may also have difficulty obtaining insurance coverage due to the high degree of risk and the possibility of litigation.
EIFS manufacturers that are sued by homeowners generally deny the claims and attribute moisture problems to improper installation. The latest generation of EIFS is purported to address moisture buildup issues.
Homeowners who are unsure whether their siding is real stucco or EIFS can perform a few simple tests. The easiest is to knock on the siding. The most foolproof way is to break into spot on the siding. A layer of foam board indicates EIFS. If you are unable to tell whether you have real or synthetic stucco, hire a professional home inspector to examine the siding.
A pro will also be able to inspect for water damage, something that is very difficult for a homeowner to do. The presence of wate r damage in an EIFS system might be cause for legal action. According to the definitions contained in the International Building Code and ASTM International, an Exterior Insulation and Finish System EIFS is a non-load bearing, exterior wall cladding , barrier system that consists of an insulation board attached either adhesively or mechanically, or both, to the substrate; an integrally fiber reinforced base coat; and a textured protective finish coat.
In this same year, the first synthetic plaster was developed. In the late s, EPS and synthetic resin materials were first used together. They were first used on commercial buildings, and later, on homes. EIFS use in the United State's residential construction market gained prominence in the late 80's to late 90's. Prior to this rapid rise, EIFS was mostly used in commercial building construction.
Most commercial buildings are steel and masonry structures. EIFS was actually first used in Europe to provide a cost effective means of renovating and insulating masonry buildings. Since houses have historically been of wood frame construction, the application of EIFS on houses in the late 80s's was the first attempt to use the product on wood. Unfortunately, the installers were using EIFS-installation techniques commonly used in the commercial building industry. This revealed a serious Achilles Heel when it came to the proper application of a barrier type cladding system on the exterior building envelope.
Despite the water intrusion issues that occurred in the fall of , EIFS industry sales including commercial and residential sales peaked in However, the overall business continued to drop until Then the business began to rebound even with the loss of the majority of the residential business.
The EIFS market grew and hit an all-time high in sales in This exceeded the peak by almost 40 percent. This without a doubt showed the resiliency of EIFS to rebound from the loss of the residential business. Just think where the industry would have gone if the residential market share could have been retained? Unfortunately, by the end of the century the once unstoppable EIFS housing business was virtually gone. The EIFS industry had lost almost 30 percent of its business with the loss of the residential market.
The EIFS residential water intrusion stigma would be with the industry for years to come. But if we can learn from the past, the EIFS industry should be able to achieve a foothold again in the residential market. I want to hear from you. Tell me how we can improve. He has been an active industry spokesman and has served on several industry boards of directors during his career.
He also held the position of EIMA president for three different terms. Buchanan is now the president of Buchanan Business Consulting a consulting business that is focused on working with companies to improve their business. The company offers consultant services in two primary areas of expertise: business and construction products. Buchanan is also a published author. This website requires certain cookies to work and uses other cookies to help you have the best experience.
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