Is synthetic stucco waterproof?

New synthetic stucco systems are a different story. These stuccos are made from acrylic polymers and designed to be completely waterproof. They don't breathe at all, which is great except when water does manage to get behind the surface, it has no way to escape, unless it can weep out the bottom of the wall.

What are the problems with synthetic stucco?

Severe Synthetic Stucco Problems

Delamination, which is synthetic stucco detaching from your home's exterior. Rotting of wood beams and trim. Mold and mildew growth, both on interior walls and beneath on the home's base walls. Infestation of termites and other moisture seeking insects.

What are the benefits of synthetic stucco?

Is synthetic stucco better than regular 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.

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.

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

What is synthetic stucco vs traditional?

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.

How Can You Tell synthetic stucco?

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.

Is synthetic stucco the same as 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.

How long does EIFS last?

A. Dryvit EIFS are designed to last for the typical design life of a building. The actual longevity on any specific building will depend mainly on the building maintenance program. Some EIFS facades date back 50-60 years.

Can synthetic stucco be painted?

Many of our customers ask, “can you paint acrylic stucco?” The answer is yes! Perhaps the confusion is due to the many different types of stucco and stucco systems out there, as well as the multitude of different names used to describe this family of exterior siding.

What is the problem with EIFS?

The problems with barrier EIFS cladding all stem from water intrusion. These problems include moisture accumulation in the wall cavity, subsequent wood damage and, in more advanced cases, mold growth and the infestation of pests such as carpenter ants or termites.

Is EIFS stucco still used?

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.

What kind of stucco is best?

If weather is a concern and you have enough money in your budget, acrylic stucco might be the best choice for you. Synthetic stucco material is also called an exterior insulation and finish system (EIFS), and it is a polymer-based laminate that is applied in two coats over a rigid insulation board secured to a wall.

How long should synthetic stucco last?

Most newer homes with exterior stucco have an acrylic-polymer finish, which will expand and contract with the weather. This keeps cracks to a minimum and means the stucco can easily last up to 50 years before needing to be repaired.

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.

Can you remove synthetic stucco?

"Water-proofing the home avoids future problems. It provides a huge peace of mind to the homeowner." The first step in removing synthetic stucco is to scaffold the area. A plastic tent is installed over the scaffolding to protect the house from inclement weather. The stucco is removed and disposed of in a drop box.

Can you pressure wash EIFS?

The best way to clean EIFS is to use high water volume coupled with low water pressure and non-abrasive cleaners. Do not use caustic chemicals or abrasive cleaning techniques, which will permanently damage the finish.

How often should Synthetic stucco be painted?

The USDA Forest Service recommends that their synthetic stucco buildings be painted every five to seven years. Synthetic stucco has come under fire for causing water retention problems, where moisture wicks through the layers and becomes trapped, causing wood and drywall to rot.

How often should EIFS be painted?

What type of maintenance is required for EIFS? Unlike wood, stucco and other siding materials, EIFS rarely need painting. Most EIFS systems are specifically formulated with 100% acrylic binder, which gives EIFS superior resistance to fading, chalking and yellowing.

What is the difference between adobe and stucco?

stucco, a relatively "new" form of siding for naturally dried adobe bricks—cement stucco does not stick to traditional adobe bricks, so wire mesh must be used.

What is the difference between Dryvit and 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'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 synthetic stucco EIFS?

“EIFS stands for Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems. The product is also called synthetic stucco, and refers to a multi-layered exterior finish that's been used in European construction since shortly after World War II, when contractors found it to be a good repair choice for buildings damaged during the war.