The Value of EIFS Exterior Insulation

EIFS (Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems) has been around for decades. During that time, the methods and materials have evolved into a state-of-the-art cladding system that is growing in popularity worldwide. The system consists of scientifically designed layers that coordinate to minimize energy loss while resisting moisture absorption. EIFS claddings create an energy-efficient and durable structure that reduces long-term operating costs while providing an attractive exterior appearance.

Since up to 55% of energy loss passes through building walls, EIFS systems create a superior R-value, the measurement of the resistance of heat loss, in buildings and homes. The combination of the insulation board used in EIFS, plus the high-tech wall insulating materials and built-in moisture evacuation cavity, will create a wall rated up to R16, a significant improvement over standard insulation.

New Construction Benefits

The energy saving benefit of a newly constructed building does not simply stop with restricting the loss of heat. Additionally, owners can install smaller capacity furnaces and air conditioners to handle the reduced demand. As a result, less electricity or gas will be used to keep the building comfortable.

Exterior Durability and Reduced Maintenance

EIFS exterior insulation consists of a water-resistant base coat to serve as a weather barrier, followed by a colorfast and crack-resistant polymer surface material. Unlike some other exteriors, the material is resistant to fading, yellowing, and chalking. As a result, today’s EIFS rarely needs repainting.

Also, the outer surface resists dirt, mildew, and mold. If these surfaces should become dirty, they can be cleaned easily with a water hose.

Moisture Control

During the early evolution of EIFS exterior insulation, moisture absorption due to high humidity and excessive rainfall was a problem. Since then, developers have altered the layering structure to include more water resistant materials. Also, an open cavity in the midst of the insulating layers allows for complete moisture evaporation and drainage. Improved exterior finishes plus better sealing processes at seams and gaps have eliminated the water problem.

With current techniques, EIFS has better moisture management than other types of claddings including stucco, wood, brick, or stone.

Fire Resistance

EIFS meets or exceeds all fire code requirements. EIFS exterior insulation is  certified for fire resistance, ignitability, intermediate multi-story testing, and flame spreading resistance.

Contact ProCoat Systems in Denver

For more information regarding the superior qualities of EIFS exterior insulation and construction processes, contact the experts at ProCoat Systems. Call today at 303.322.9009 and learn about the energy-saving capability of EIFS exterior insulation systems.

This post was originally published at http://www.procoatsystems.com/value-eifs-exterior-insulation/

Protecting Stucco and EIFS from Rain Damage

Rain and moisture accumulation can create serious problems for any building cladding. With improperly applied stucco or EIFS (Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems), water that finds its way under the exterior surfaces and remains can cause mold development, deterioration, or excessive cracking if the material remains damp for an extended period.

Some early EIFS applications suffered from moisture buildup beneath the surface in rainy or very humid climates and often began to show the symptoms over time. Stucco surfaces, while made from different material than EIFS, will also absorb moisture and certain measures must be adopted to prevent long-term damage. 

Strategies to Mitigate Water Damage

In truth, all building claddings leak or absorb water. Builders and architects have adopted appropriate strategies to resist excessive water retention in all kinds of claddings including EIFS, stucco, stone, granite, wood, vinyl, brick, and precast concrete. Existing water management construction methods tend to fall into the certain categories or combinations that include creating perfect barriers with interior and exterior water-resistant materials, building internal reservoir systems, or devising drainage systems within the wall cavities.

EIFS Moisture Management

Once the moisture problem of early EIFS construction in high-humidity areas was identified, architects added additional protection from possible accumulated moisture. Inserted within the energy-saving insulating layers is an additional section with a drainage cavity bordered by a water-resistant material to prevent extended moisture retention. The cavity design allows the moisture to flow out at the bottom, keeping the rest of the system relatively dry.

Most importantly, edges, seams, and joints must be sealed as completely as possible to resist any further penetration from the rain.

Stucco Moisture Management

Properly applied stucco, a combination of Portland cement, sand, lime, and water also can have the water-resistant capability in a modified reservoir and drainage system.  The stucco is applied over two layers of building paper and metal lath that has been placed over a layer of water-resistant gypsum board. The paper creates a drainage plane by first absorbing moisture from the stucco, then drying and shrinking, thereby creating a cavity between the stucco and the gypsum board. The open space allows for evaporation and drainage of moisture that had penetrated the stucco.  

Contact ProCoat Systems in Denver

For more information about cladding protection from rain or moisture problems, contact the experts at ProCoat Systems. Phone 303-322-9009.

This post was originally published at http://www.procoatsystems.com/protecting-stucco-eifs-rain-damage/

Is Your EIFS or Stucco Cracking?

While EIFS (Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems) exterior cladding and stucco may have a very similar appearance, the composition of these is different. The EIFS cladding, with several insulating and moisture-draining layers beneath, consists of polymeric-bonded aggregate and reinforced cement. Stucco, on the other hand, is a centuries-old material made from Portland cement and lime bonded with sand and water.

While the materials in EIFs or stucco are different, eventually aging, drying, and building movement can cause cracks in either material. The essential objective is to keep the amount of cracking over time in either material to a minimum.

Mitigating Cracking in EIFS Cladding

Surface cracks will eventually develop in the EIFS lamina or coating. The cause may be from hygric (moisture) or thermal stresses or a combination of both. The EIFS layering is supported by a mesh reinforcement that essentially redistributes the stress throughout the coating and allows minute micro-fractures to form rather than large visible cracks. Stucco does not have this built-in mitigation.

Over time, continued exposure to moisture will weaken the mesh material. This influence eventually reduces the elasticity of the mesh and can cause the mesh itself to crack. Usually the cracking first occurs near window openings where moisture may most likely accumulate.

Effects of Building Movement

Buildings move over time. Taller buildings are more likely to shift, though shorter ones do also. In some case, control joints are part of the design to minimize the stress from movement or shifting. When these are built into the structure, the stress from the movement will reduce cracking in either EIFS or stucco.

When EIFS are incorporated in a wood frame building, the stresses of movement from humidity and drying are absorbed by the wood members in a cross-grain fashion. According to Building Science.com, builders concentrate cross-grain wood elements at rim joists, around heavy framing, and top and bottom plates to respond to humidity changes.

EIFS or Stucco

EIFS is an effective energy managing and money-saving option for many types of structures. However, moisture and humidity management are essential to minimize cracking from humidity and accumulated moisture. The latest EIFS systems address these challenges by integrating moisture eliminating cavities and materials.

For more information about the many advantages of EIFS construction, contact ProCoat Systems in Denver at 303.322,9009.

This post was originally published at http://www.procoatsystems.com/eifs-stucco-cracking/

Effects of Climate on EIFS Exterior Finishes

Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems, popularly known as “EIFS”, is an exterior building cladding system designed decades ago to provide energy efficiency with integrated layers of various composite materials. Designed to act as a winter coat for any structure, the EIFS system is more than a simple exterior layer intended to add aesthetic value and protection.

From the inside outward, EIFS exterior finishes typically consists of a gypsum board interior surface covering a cavity insulation material, a sheathing material, a drainage plane of felt or housewrap, a drainage cavity with spacers to release trapped moisture, and finally a synthetic or traditional stucco applied over rigid insulation. These layers serve to eliminate energy transfer between the inside and outside while draining any moisture that is prone to accumulate when heat meets cold. 

Modern EIFS, with the addition of the moisture-eliminating cavity and materials, are called Drained EIFS.

How Do Climate Changes Affect Drained EIFS?

According to a Building Science blog from July 2007, many of the EIFS claddings installed in the 1980’s in humid or semi-humid areas eventually developed moisture accumulation problems. The result would be excess mold, decay, fungi, and deterioration. The problem was a result of moisture trapped between the layers and very limited drying potential in those areas.

 More recent variations of EIFS exterior finishes have eliminated the problem by designing drained EIFS that incorporate moisture eliminating cavities and barriers. As a result, accumulated moisture is no longer a problem with properly installed, energy-efficient EIFS.

The key to eliminating all moisture problems is to design and construct the exterior system in which the drying capability is greater than the wetting potential, i.e. rain. To minimize the impact of precipitation on any cladding surface, including EIFS, architects add features to redirect or channel water away from the exterior surface. In any event, in climates where rainfall is normal or above, drained EIFS systems are far superior to the original surface EIFS that were intended strictly to reduce energy costs.

Water Control Measures

In areas like the Southeast or Pacific Northwest where rain can be abundant, architects employ three approaches to prevent damage due from water accumulation. These are:

●       Draining configurations like drained EIFS with built-in moisture eliminating cavities.

●       Water-stored, as in reservoirs in brick, stone, masonry or concrete structures in which absorbed moisture dries through capillary action.

●       Perfect Barrier approach in which the surface cladding is “face sealed” or is built with an interior barrier known as a “concealed barrier.”

Contact ProCoat Systems of Denver

For more information about drained EIFS, energy saving, and other cladding options, phone the experts at ProCoat at 303.322.9009.

Or, visit their website at http://www.procoatsystems.com/ to learn more.

This post was originally published at http://www.procoatsystems.com/effects-climate-eifs-exterior-finishes/