What is wrong 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.

Is synthetic stucco better?

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.

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.

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.

Problems with Synthetic Stucco

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.

Should I replace EIFS?

EIFS Replacement Advantages: Replacing your EIFS siding has many advantages including; Eliminating a failed system that allows for moisture intrusion, mold and dry rot damage and replacing it with proven siding that is built to last for 30 years or more.

Which is better EIFS or stucco?

The fiberglass layer provides more durability, even against hard blows from weather. EIFS is notably lighter than traditional stucco, however. It is 80-percent less heavy than stucco, but it has a higher R-value, coming in between 4 and 5.6, which is notably higher than the 0.20 R-value of regular stucco.

When was EIFS last used?

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.

How can you tell the difference between stucco and EIFS?

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.

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.

How do you maintain synthetic stucco?

Use gentle pressure and scrubbing to keep your synthetic stucco durable and resistant to wear. Regular cleaning with the proper technique can ensure your synthetic stucco finish looks its best. Fill a pump sprayer with 1 qt. chlorine bleach and 1 cup trisodium phosphate per gallon of warm water.

Should 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 are the benefits of synthetic stucco?

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.

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.

Why EIFS is the best?

Low maintenance: EIFS clad buildings have superior resistance to fading, chalking, yellowing, dirt, mould and mildew. They can be easily cleaned by just hosing them down, and hardly need painting.

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 is a major cause of EIFS moisture intrusion?

The typical moisture damage in an EIFS assembly is deterioration due to mold, wood decay fungi and corrosion leading to decay, loss of strength and discoloration. The components principally affected are the interior and exterior gypsum sheathing, the metal or wood studs and the fiberglass cavity insulation.

Is EIFS and synthetic stucco the same?

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.

How do you know if you have 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.

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.

Is Hardie board an 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.

Can you put siding over synthetic stucco?

Provided that the stucco exterior doesn't have any water damage or cracks, putting siding over stucco shouldn't be a problem.

How common is EIFS stucco?

Today, the EIFS market segment is less than 5 percent for residential construction.