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Dec 21, 2001
EIFS
EIFS or Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems are an interesting exterior wall cladding that is used in both residential and commercial applications. Read on to find more about this alternative cladding material.
What is EIFS?
EIFS is a composite material which consists of:
- exterior finish coat
- water-resistant base coat
- the base coat has a fibre glass mesh embedded into it for
proving reinforcement
- foam insulation
- suitable adhesive to attach the assembly to the exterior wall substrate like plywood.
A graphic presentation of a standard EIFS assembly. This site is also good for a general overview of EIFS.
Advantages of EIFS
The major advantages of using EIFS are:
- energy efficiency - EIFS provides insulation outside the exterior structure of a building. It forms a complete envelope around the building with foam insulation. So it reduces air infiltration and hence decreases energy consumption. Also there are no thermal break in the envelope of the building, further reducing the energy needed to heat a space.
- design options - EIFS provides an immense variety of
color, texture and design options. It can be carved and molded into any shape to provide a rich palette of details for a building like cornices, jambs, column keystones etc. EIFS looks like stucco but is far more versatile.
- easy to maintain - Due to the products used in its
manufacture, EIFS is resistant to fading and cracking. It also does not accumulate dirt, so it always looks freshly painted. Also, it is resistant to mold and mildew.
Disadvantages of EIFS
EIFS has certain disadvantages:
- EIFS is not recommended as a DIY project. It needs skilled
professionals to install a good quality EIFS cladding system.
- This cladding is not very suitable for northern climates (or very cold climates) according to some sources.
- It is also not as impact resistant as precast or masonry.
Installing EIFS
Although not recommended as a DIY project, here are very detailed
construction diagrams for all possible locations of EIFS.
Maintaining EIFS
Maintaining EIFS is relatively easy. The only point where
problems can occur are window sills, flashings etc from where
leakage can occur. So these locations should be checked
regularly. Manufacturers of EIFS
Here is a handy list of manufacturers that can be contacted for your EIFS needs:
Next time, the discussion will focus on Vapor Barriers, a very important component of every building. So see you then.
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has totally stopped me in my tracks, so no photo. Guess I'll just have to visit the site when I feel better. Thanks for your offer, though. ...
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In response to message posted by Shefali:
I'll try to do that tomorrow - the rain may hamper me, though. They are putting a ...
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Maybe you can email me an image of the house under construction. I might be able to tell you about the construction type. Just to whet your curiosity!! ...
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going up in our neighborhood that is different construction than what we're used to seeing here. This sounds like it. Now I'm really curious! ...
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