Is all synthetic stucco EIFS?

Synthetic stucco is commonly referred to as Exterior Insulating and Finish System (EIFS). Homes with this exterior finish are often strikingly beautiful, offer great flexibility in home design, and provide energy savings.

What is a synthetic stucco?

Synthetic Stucco (EIFS)

It's more flexible than traditional stucco and consists of a moisture barrier, foam insulation, cement basecoat, reinforcing fiberglass mesh and an acrylic finish. Synthetic stucco is 80% lighter than traditional hard-coat and relatively durable, due to containing fiberglass.

When did they stop using EIFS?

EIFS has been in use since the 1960s in North America, first on masonry buildings, but since the 1990s the majority on wood-framed buildings.

What is the difference between stucco and synthetic stucco?

Synthetic Stucco Performance. Traditional stucco is more durable, fire resistant, and has greater longevity, being able to last up to 50 years with low maintenance. Traditional stucco is also very porous and dries out quickly, while synthetic stucco is not and can have water damage issues if not installed properly.

Is synthetic stucco safe?

Severe Synthetic Stucco Problems

Moisture with no escape route can lead to many destructive problems in your home, such as: Unsightly racking and peeling of paint. Cracking of drywall. Delamination, which is synthetic stucco detaching from your home's exterior.

Stucco acrylic vs.Traditional Stucco, Synthetic stucco VS cementitious Stucco

How can you tell if stucco is EIFS?

The easiest way to identify synthetic stucco (EIFS) is by touching the material with your bare hand. When you touch the wall where the stucco is installed, it will feel like plastic. You can also knock gently on the wall. If it sounds hollow and thin, you have EIFS on your home.

What is the difference between stucco and EIFS?

What is EIFS? Unlike traditional stucco that utilizes natural ingredients and mesh, External Insulation and Finishing Systems (EIFS) stucco uses layers that add in synthetic materials. The first layer is comprised of a polystyrene foam board. Then, that is followed by a fiberglass mesh and a finishing coat.

What is synthetic stucco made from?

EIFS stucco refers to Exterior Insulation and Finish System, also called synthetic stucco. It's made of acrylic and applied in several 1/8” layers over polystyrene or some other insulation board on top of plywood or some other exterior sheathing.

Is Dryvit the same as EIFS?

Having a house with EIFS, also known as Dryvit, isn't the end of the world. EIFS isn't a disease; it's synthetic stucco. And even though your house may have been built using it, with knowledge and proper maintenance everything can be just fine. EIFS is an Exterior Insulation and Finish System.

What is the difference between acrylic and synthetic stucco?

Traditional stucco requires a wire mesh underlay to stick to the home's exterior whereas acrylic stucco is a multilayered exterior coating with a foam insulation board, synthetic stucco first coat, fiberglass mesh, and synthetic top coat. Acrylic stucco repels water while classic stucco absorbs water.

Where is EIFS banned?

North Carolina has banned the so-called "barrier" variety of EIFS in new home construction, and Georgia plans to do the same in the fall, according to the NAHB.

Why do insurance companies not like EIFS?

A great deal of insurance coverage disputes arose over the years due to the tendency of EIFS to trap water behind a building's walls. As a result, many insurers implemented an EIFS exclusion in commercial general liability policies barring coverage for property damage that results when EIFS is used in construction.

Do people still use EIFS?

Yet today, EIFS are still around. About 100 million square feet of EIFS went on new and remodeled homes last year, rivaling any other siding material.

Can you power wash synthetic stucco?

A: First of all, do not use a pressure washer on a synthetic stucco surface. This type of finish, known as an exterior insulation finish system or EIFS, is a barrier-type system.

What can I replace EIFS with?

EIFS Replacement Options: To replace existing EIFS most of our clients choose Hardieplank, or cedar siding with Cultured Stone accents.

What are the different types of stucco?

What's the difference between Dryvit and stucco?

Dryvit stucco is actually the name of a stucco manufacturer, not an actual stucco system specifically. Dryvit is the name of the stucco company and they have different stucco systems including 3 coat stucco systems, EIFS systems, decorative systems and more.

What is the most common problem with Dryvit stucco?

The most common problems with Dryvit stucco are caulking and sealing issues that go unnoticed over time. This leads to serious mold issues that can get into the building structure and cause costly damage, as well as causing medical issues for residents.

Can you put Hardie board over EIFS?

If you are ready to replace one of these systems, fiber cement siding manufactured by the James Hardie company is the best choice for the job. One of the major perks of using fiber cement siding boards is that their trim can easily be installed over built-out sections of EIFS-covered exteriors.

What is another name for synthetic stucco?

Synthetic stucco is commonly referred to as Exterior Insulating and Finish System (EIFS).

Is synthetic stucco waterproof?

If it is EFIS synthetic stucco, then it is considered non-permeable. Many homeowners think that their Traditional stucco walls are waterproof, but they are not, they are water resistant, therefore, even if there were no cracks in the stucco wall itself, moisture would still penetrate into the wall.

Is Dryvit synthetic stucco?

The product called Dryvit is a type of synthetic stucco that is applied as a final coat to another stucco system, such as EIFS, to keep water from penetrating the other layers of the wall.

How can you tell if stucco is real?

Go outside and knock on an outer “stucco” wall of your home. If it sounds hollow, there is a good chance you have EIFS. If it feels like you are knocking on a brick wall, it is more likely that you are knocking on traditional “hard-coat” stucco.

Can you stucco over EIFS?

"Stucco" can be installed over foam insulation, like EIFS. Much of the new cement stucco being applied still uses foam trim build-out details that look just like EIFS, and most modern cement stucco uses acrylic finishes, just like EIFS.

What is the most common type of EIFS?

The most common type of EIFS is the polymer based (PB) system. This system has a nominally 1/16 inch thick reinforced base coat applied to the insulation prior to application of the finish coat.