EIFS - Senergy Stucco
Exterior insulation and finish system (EIFS) is a general class of non-load bearing building cladding systems that provides exterior walls with an insulated, water-resistant, finished surface in an integrated composite material system. 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.
Exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS) are common throughout the United States and are easily mistaken for stucco or concrete. EIFS is found on all kinds of buildings, from residential to commercial projects: houses, apartments, condominiums, hotels, grocery stores, shopping plazas, office parks, mixed-use facilities, government buildings and more.
EIFS is wall cladding that uses stiff insulation boards on the outside of a wall and a plasterlike exterior covering. Think of it this way: Ordinary insulation is like thermal underwear worn inside, under your clothes to keep you warm and dry, and exterior insulation is like an extra shirt worn on the outside, layered over your other clothes.
There is an array of EIFS types; some rely on an outer barrier to protect against water penetration, while others are designed with a secondary drainage plane behind the insulation. Despite these differences, EIFS varieties are made with the same lightweight, synthetic materials. Panels of polystyrene foam insulation are installed and covered with a base coat. Glass fiber mesh is applied to panels for reinforcement, and a finishing coat is applied last. All together the coatings and mesh are a fraction-of-an-inch thick.
A Brief History of EIFS
After World War II, buildings throughout Germany were damaged and in need of resurfacing. Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS) originated there and came to the United States in the late 1960s.
Benefits of EIFS
- When installed properly, it makes buildings more energy efficient. According to Oak Ridge National Laboratory, structures with EIFS can save between 20 percent and 30 percent on energy bills.
- Aesthetics and creative freedom are other perks. Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is part of the system, and it can be cut or molded to create many shapes like arches, columns, window details and sculptures. It can also be used to create elaborate architectural designs, ornate facades or soffits.
- This kind of exterior insulation can cost less than using traditional materials. Plus, it doesn't diminish a building's interior square footage since it goes on the outside. This alone can be a significant incentive for projects on high-value land or historical sites -- areas where square footage is at a premium.
- Unlike wood, stucco and other siding materials, EIFS rarely need painting. Most EIFS systems are specially formulated with 100% acrylic binder, which gives EIFS superior resistance to fading, chalking and yellowing. As a result, the systems tend to maintain their original appearance over time. And since the color is integral to the finish coat, even if the surface is scratched, the same color appears beneath the abrasion.
- EIFS also have excellent resistance to dirt, mildew and mold, which helps keep the building exterior looking clean and freshly painted. Should the surface ever become soiled, it can usually be cleaned by hosing it down.
- The systems are designed to be very flexible, which makes them highly crack resistant. When walls expand or contract due to rising or falling temperatures, EIFS are resilient enough to "absorb" building movement and thus avoid the unsightly cracking problems that are so common with stucco, concrete and brick exteriors.
Senergy™ EIFS and Stucco
The Senergy™ brand, manufactured by BASF, the largest chemicals company in the world, is associated with high quality wall systems, architectural products and the beautiful finishes that cover them. For over thirty-five years, Senergy™ has established a reputation for helping architects and contractors design and construct the most enduring buildings possible. Senergy™ products are manufactured to high quality standards at six locations across the United States and are exclusively available in New Jersey from Riverside Supply Co., Inc.
For useful videos on best practices and testimonials please follow this link. https://www.basf.com/
