EIFS (exterior insulating finish system) was once one of the hottest building materials on the market, then water intrusion problems signaled the demise of the way it was being used. The industry then took a hard look at means of installation and corrected those earlier problems. Beyond revising installation errors, a whole new family of cool finishes was created that are now used frequently.
As many know, EIFS can create looks similar to brick with mortar, ACM panels (both matte and reflective), stone, etc., with very little noticeable difference. Savings are often substantial. Beyond this, it tends to be faster than similar products, an excellent insulator and can also entomb potentially harmful products on buildings being remodeled.
There are a couple of things to remember if you are not already familiar:
- Consider impact where the product is prone to collisions from people and things, in which case there are modifications to help.
- We have also found to be sure and build off of the manufacturer’s details, not necessarily the CDs when it comes to the drainable systems like flashings, end dams, weeps and drip edges. This ensures a watertight envelope and saves a few potential headaches.
