subject: Characteristics of EIFS Stucco [print this page] Characteristics of EIFS Stucco Characteristics of EIFS Stucco
Stucco is a popular building material that is excellent and efficient when applied correctly. It mostly consists of sand, cement, lime and water. Stucco can be utilized for interior and exterior finish but it is more widely used as exterior coating in buildings and even residential houses.
Stucco is also extensively used now in the US and this gave way to the introduction of synthetic stucco. There are now two types of stucco: the traditional and synthetic stucco that are being utilized in the construction of buildings and residential homes. Traditional stucco are patronized by builders who have known how efficient and beautiful stucco is for homes and buildings. On the other hand, synthetic stucco is now slowly gaining popularity because it is cost-effective and durable if properly installed. Also, compared to traditional stucco, eifs stucco sounds hollow when knocked.
One popular type of synthetic stucco is the EIFS stucco. EIFS stucco stands for Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems. It is often cited to as synthetic stucco itself but some individuals say that EIFS is not synthetic stucco but synthetic stucco is only a component of EIFS. Nevertheless, many still consider EIFS stucco as synthetic stucco. Home builders in North America started using synthetic stucco in 1980s in the construction of buildings then later with residential homes.
EIFS stucco is composed of 3 layers where the first layer is the insulation board, the middle layer is the polymer and base coat and the exterior layer is the finish coat. It is said to be softer than traditional stucco but still very durable when installed correctly. Some residents complain about EIFS stucco because they said they got many problems when they applied EIFS stucco but like other building materials, eifs when too wet can cause problems to homeowners. EIFS tend to trap moisture which causes the stucco to soften. Most constructors suggest using or shifting to traditional stucco if you are not well-informed about eifs stucco installation.
Water or moisture should be prevented from seeping through eifs stucco because when water get trapped the wood and sheathing inside will rot and cause the bond to loosen. Any opening like a door should be covered to prevent moisture from seeping through.
With the right knowledge, you can properly install EIFS stucco or synthetic stucco and reap the benefits it has to offer than suffer the problems it can give when applied incorrectly.
