subject: Siding Tips: Stucco And Eifs [print this page] Stucco is a common option for both inside and outside most houses in the Southwestern states of America. But, do you know what EIFS is? With a look surprisingly similar to stucco, EIFS is a different type of siding. The two kinds of siding have a number of differences that you should be familiar with, however.
Let us talk about stucco first. As the majority of homeowners know, stucco is mostly a combination of cement and water. Its use dates back to ancient Greece, even though today's homeowners will distinguish it as a feature found mainly on the interiors and outside of American Southwestern houses. To guarantee maximum strength on what was formerly known to be a moderately fragile substance, artificial additives are now used instead. Lots of people currently value stucco as it is fairly inexpensive compared to other types of siding, it can be molded to have the look of masonry that is artfully carved.
Only after World War II did EIFS, which is also known as Exterior Insulating Finishing System, come to be created. Europe was also the only place you could originally purchase it. Stucco's comparatively fixed chemical composition is lots more clear-cut than what EIFS is made with. Although they are commonly made from synthetic materials used for insulation purposes, different firms create their own recipes for EIFS. EIFS is known to weigh very little and be extremely energy efficient since only thin, protective coatings are applied at a time.
You can find EIFS on structures made subsequent to the 1970s in the United States. Its uses span a variety of different structural types from retail malls and high rises to condos and single family houses. Very similar to stucco, EIFS can be skillfully finished to appear like much more costly masonry, making its potential for future popularity rather high.
There are drawbacks if you decide to side your home with EIFS in place of of stucco, however. People are now starting to notice that moisture can seep through the synthetic material of which EIFS is made and into the structure behind the siding. It would be wise to check for moisture complications that previously exist in your home prior to applying EIFS if you're thinking about adding it as siding to your house. If you plan to put any sort of siding on your house, you should check that you don't have any already-existing mold or mildew problems because adding siding will only make a nasty problem worse in the end. You can probably employ a contractor to check for damage on your house prior to adding siding for under $1000. Bear in mind, however, that this amount does not account for any repairs, should water or mold damage be detected.
