STO EIFSExterior Insulation Finish Systems (EIFS) have been a popular choice in the United States for more than forty years. It has become such a part of the architectural landscape that you probably don’t even notice it in the buildings you use and walk by every day.  EIFS have always been about the design flexibility of lightweight foam shapes, crack resistant coatings and ease of installation and energy savings. Considering this popularity, Energy Smart Inc. thought it was time that we dug a little deeper into this versatile product.  So below we outline ten new reasons why to chose EIFS for your cladding.

Ten Reasons why EIFS Should be Your #1 Choice of Cladding

  1. Eifs fit well into Reducing our Carbon Emmissions
  2. Just installing an effective air barrier can potentially net 40% better energy efficiency.
  3. EIFS provides LEED-ership.
  4. EIFS is not wasteful of our natural resources.
  5. EIFS has not significantly impacted our waste stream.
  6. Moisture intrusion is a thing of the past when EIFS with drainage is installed properly.
  7. EIFS is in the building code.
  8. EIFS is safe and durable.
  9. Aesthetics and finishes.
  10. EIFS is the best.

That last point is a pretty simple if not direct statement, but it is true. New research comparing both overall insulating ability and moisture resistance show EIFS with 4-inch foam insulation “outperformed” walls of brick, stucco, concrete block and cementious fiber board in moisture handling with superior thermal performance. These are key points from Achilles Karagiozis, Ph.D. the principal researcher on a project called the Natural Exposure Test Facility. Funded by the US Department of Energy (DOE), through the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy‘s Building Technologies Program and the EIFS Industry Members Association (EIMA), Oakridge National Laboratories conducted field testing on a variety of wall systems to determine their thermal, air leakage and moisture control performance in real world conditions.

Their conclusions:

  • Brick and Cement fiber board systems tend to accumulate and retain more moisture.
  • Insulation is more beneficial when placed towards the exterior.
  • EIFS with Water-Resistive Barrier (WRB) coatings performed significantly better than claddings using building paper or spun-bonded polyolefin membranes.
  • EIFS drainage assemblies, using vertical ribbons of adhesive, provide a drainage path and air space that contributes positively towards hygrothermal performance of the wall.

Contact Energy Smart today for all of your construction needs and materials.