Why should barrier wall EIFS be avoided?

MOISTURE ISSUES

The barrier in any EIF system is the basecoat and mesh layer. This layer will not allow the penetration of moisture and functions as the moisture-intrusion-preventing workhorse of the system.

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.

What is the advantage of water managed EIFS over barrier EIFS?

Water-Managed EIFS ('Drainable' EIFS) – Water managed EIFS systems combine a barrier EIFS assembly with a back-up waterproofing system and are far superior to barrier EIFS. The design of these systems concedes that no building is perfect, and that eventually, a crack or a leak will almost always develop.

Is EIFS a vapor barrier?

When you install EIFS on the exterior wall, it acts as a vapor barrier on the cold side of that wall. When fiberglass-batt insulation is then installed in the wall cavity, condensation occurs inside the wall at the (substrate) sheathing when a contrast in temperature exists from inside to outside.

Does EIFS absorb water?

EIFS itself, however, blocks the movement of water and water vapor – it does not “breathe.” This, coupled with interior vapor barriers that are often required by building code, can lead to prolonged moisture intrusion and, eventually, rotting of materials.

DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOUR EIFS

What 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.

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.

What is EIFS cladding?

An Exterior Insulation Finishing System (EIFS), also known as EWI (Exterior Wall Insulation Systems) or External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems (ETICS) is a type of cladding system that provides exterior walls with an insulated finished surface and waterproofing in an integrated composite material system.

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 is EFIS material?

Exterior Insulation and Finish System (EIFS) is an exterior wall cladding that utilizes rigid insulation boards on the exterior of the wall sheathing with a plaster appearance exterior skin. EIFS in its current basic form was developed in West Germany in the 1960s and introduced in the United States in 1969 by Dryvit.

What is the difference between a barrier wall and a drainage wall?

So, a barrier wall system, unlike a drainage wall system, a barrier wall system is really designed to stop all water at the exterior face of the wall. So, there would be no provision to manage any water that got behind that exterior plane of the wall.

How does EIFS drain?

Some EIFS contractors use special corrugated or wrinkled sheathing papers to create the drainage space, while others have vertical grooves cut into the back face of the foam insulation. In all cases, the drainage plane leads to a perforated weep flashing at the foundation to drain away any trapped water.

Does EIFS require weep holes?

Moisture Drainage MD-EIFS

A Moisture Barrier and drainage plane is first placed over the moisture sensitive substrates. PVC accessories are permitted but not required. Most systems have a weep screed (PVC starter track with weep holes), but not all systems.

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.

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.

Is EIFS siding good?

A 2006 study done by the well-known Oak Ridge National Laboratory, funded by the US Department of Energy, found that “EIFS was the best performing cladding in relation to thermal and moisture control when compared to brick, stucco, and [fiber cement board] siding,” but it needs to be properly installed and maintained.

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.

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 common is EIFS stucco?

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

Is EIFS considered non combustible?

EIFS is considered combustible because it is polystyrene foam insulation. Actual fire performance, however, depends on many factors. Material defects, poor workmanship, impact damage, installation errors, and exposed insulation are among leading causes of fire.

What is EIFS on frame?

Exterior Insulation and Finish System (EIFS) is an exterior wall coating system that resembles stucco. It incorporates a substrate covered with a foam insulation board, a reinforcing mesh, a base coat, and a finish coat of synthetic stucco material applied to a stud frame wall.

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 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.

Can you paint over EIFS?

Painting or recoating EIFS is normally unnecessary unless a color change is wanted or unusually stubborn stains cannot be removed. EIFS buildings should not be painted like most surfaces.

How do you maintain EIFS?

Periodically, EIFS finishes may need to be cleaned to remove dirt, algae (usually green stains on the surface of the finish), or mildew (generally black stains that look like dirt) that can accumulate on the surface. Basically, mild cleaning detergents, and low water pressure cool water, and a soft bristle brush.